{"id":1939,"date":"2020-01-16T21:20:59","date_gmt":"2020-01-16T19:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/?p=1939"},"modified":"2026-03-04T01:58:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T23:58:51","slug":"freaca-statuia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/2020\/01\/freaca-statuia\/","title":{"rendered":"Rub the statue!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are statues, sculptures, and bas-reliefs all over the world that attract tens of thousands of tourists like a magnet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not referring now to works of art themselves, but to those around which legends have been woven \u2013 the ones that have created customs and rituals, some quite unusual\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time I visited St. Peter\u2019s Basilica in Rome<\/strong>, I touched the foot of Saint Peter\u2019s statue, having heard that it\u2019s good to do so for protection and good luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
The faithful have practically worn down and deformed the feet from so much caressing!<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also tested my dexterity by placing a coin on the tongue of Florence\u2019s boar (Il Porcellino<\/strong>), so that the coin would fall through the grate below \u2013 a sign that I would have good luck. If the coin doesn\u2019t go in and instead hits the grate, you can at least rub the pig\u2019s snout to ensure your return to Florence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But\u2026 now I\u2019m taking you to a different area, something a bit more bizarre. So don\u2019t miss the following local customs if you happen to find yourself in these places:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VERONA. JULIET.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

TOUCH JULIET\u2019S BREAST\u2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shakespeare, Verona, the famous story of Romeo and Juliet<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the so-called Juliet\u2019s House<\/strong>, with its balcony and thousands of little hearts drawn on the walls, there\u2019s a statue of her in the small inner courtyard. On my first visit to Verona, I was interested in the balcony \u2013 that seemed like the main attraction\u2026 So the statue was just one more photo and nothing more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A few years later, on my second visit to Verona, I learned about a custom connected to that statue: people touch Juliet\u2019s right breast for luck in love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you need some patience, because there\u2019s a line to get to it \u2013 it\u2019s not exactly within everyone\u2019s easy reach \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THE WALL STREET BULL<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

STROKE THE BULL\u2019S BALLS IN NEW YORK\u2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I had seen it in many photos and read that it was created by a Sicilian and weighs 3,200 kg! The famous \u201cCharging Bull\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cWall Street Bull\u201d<\/strong> in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I didn\u2019t know exactly where it was, but there was no way I could miss it, because there was a huge crowd in front of it. A massive line just to take a photo with it. I waited, what else could I do? Though it felt a bit like back home: some people cutting in line, others climbing onto its head\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But the show isn\u2019t only in front of it, it\u2019s behind it too! There\u2019s no line at its tail, but the people here know the custom of touching the bull\u2019s impressive testicles for good luck. Financial luck, I suppose, considering the bronze sculpture is located in the financial district, around Wall Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would never have done that in a million years \u2013 squeezing under the bull\u2019s tail and rubbing its balls, hahaha. But I was encouraged by the lack of embarrassment of those doing it, and by their conviction that it brings personal prosperity\u2026 And honestly, why shouldn\u2019t I be lucky with money too? \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

STATUES IN PRAGUE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

KISS THE GIANT BABIES\u2019 BUTTS\u2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prague<\/strong> is surprising with its dozens of unusual, bizarre, even shocking statues. I discovered them along the way, so I promised myself I\u2019d return one day to explore the subject more deeply. And since we\u2019re talking about getting a bit deep<\/em>, in Kampa Park<\/strong> I came across three giant black babies with a sort of barcode engraved on their faces. I read that there\u2019s a local custom of kissing their bottoms for good luck\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THAILAND<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PRAY TO PHALLUSES\u2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Thailand there is the Phallus Temple<\/strong>, located in the Phra Nang cave. The temple contains an impressive collection of phalluses of all sizes and colors. In Buddhist belief, these wooden objects are thought to bring fertility, so many people come to pray to them. I haven\u2019t made it there yet, but I have friends who already have. No prayers, though\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In other corners of the world, you rub the penis of certain statues, convinced that doing so will solve some of your problems\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PARIS. P\u00c8RE LACHAISE.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the famous P\u00e8re Lachaise cemetery, there is the tomb of a well-known 19th-century journalist \u2013 Victor Noir<\/strong>, who died in a duel with a cousin of Emperor Napoleon III. The man\u2019s funerary statue attracts thousands of visitors (not only women, mind you!) who come to touch the noticeable bulge in his trousers\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Both women and men rub the statue\u2019s penis and kiss its lips, primarily for fertility, but also for improving relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I went looking for the tomb in question. You can barely spot it among the imposing graves nearby. Yet, small as it is, its fame has spread far and wide\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I examined the funerary statue up close. You can clearly see that many people have passed through here\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I didn\u2019t touch anything \u2013 heaven forbid \u2013 because, given how deserted it was, I might have looked on the surveillance cameras like a madwoman who came to vandalize graves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m absolutely convinced the world is full of such statues, surrounded by customs, rituals, and superstitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A list would be useful, so we\u2019d know where to wander and exactly what to rub for health, love, money, a long life, success with women\/men, fertility, luck, happiness, a good job, understanding bosses, a happy marriage, an easy birth, low loan interest rates, light traffic, big Black Friday discounts, smooth digestion\u2026 and so many more things besides.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are statues, sculptures, and bas-reliefs all over the world that attract tens of thousands of tourists like a magnet. I\u2019m not referring now to works of art themselves, but to those around which legends have been woven \u2013 the ones that have created customs and rituals, some quite unusual\u2026 Every time I visited St. Peter\u2019s Basilica in Rome, I touched the foot of Saint Peter\u2019s statue, having heard that it\u2019s good to do so for protection and good luck. I also tested my dexterity by placing a coin on the tongue of Florence\u2019s boar (Il Porcellino), so that the coin would fall through the grate below \u2013 a sign that I would have good luck. If the coin doesn\u2019t go in and instead hits the grate, you can at least rub the pig\u2019s snout to ensure your return to Florence. But\u2026 now I\u2019m taking you to a different area, something a bit more bizarre. So don\u2019t miss the following local customs if you happen to find yourself in these places: VERONA. JULIET. TOUCH JULIET\u2019S BREAST\u2026 Shakespeare, Verona, the famous story of Romeo and Juliet\u2026 At the so-called Juliet\u2019s House, with its balcony and thousands of little hearts drawn on the walls, there\u2019s a statue of her in the small inner courtyard. On my first visit to Verona, I was interested in the balcony \u2013 that seemed like the main attraction\u2026 So the statue was just one more photo and nothing more. A few years later, on my second visit to Verona, I learned about a custom connected to that statue: people touch Juliet\u2019s right breast for luck in love. But you need some patience, because there\u2019s a line to get to it \u2013 it\u2019s not exactly within everyone\u2019s easy reach \ud83d\ude42 THE WALL STREET BULL STROKE THE BULL\u2019S BALLS IN NEW YORK\u2026 I had seen it in many photos and read that it was created by a Sicilian and weighs 3,200 kg! The famous \u201cCharging Bull\u201d or \u201cWall Street Bull\u201d in New York. I didn\u2019t know exactly where it was, but there was no way I could miss it, because there was a huge crowd in front of it. A massive line just to take a photo with it. I waited, what else could I do? Though it felt a bit like back home: some people cutting in line, others climbing onto its head\u2026 But the show isn\u2019t only in front of it, it\u2019s behind it too! There\u2019s no line at its tail, but the people here know the custom of touching the bull\u2019s impressive testicles for good luck. Financial luck, I suppose, considering the bronze sculpture is located in the financial district, around Wall Street. I would never have done that in a million years \u2013 squeezing under the bull\u2019s tail and rubbing its balls, hahaha. But I was encouraged by the lack of embarrassment of those doing it, and by their conviction that it brings personal prosperity\u2026 And honestly, why shouldn\u2019t I be lucky with money too? \ud83d\ude42 STATUES IN PRAGUE KISS THE GIANT BABIES\u2019 BUTTS\u2026 Prague is surprising with its dozens of unusual, bizarre, even shocking statues. I discovered them along the way, so I promised myself I\u2019d return one day to explore the subject more deeply. And since we\u2019re talking about getting a bit deep, in Kampa Park I came across three giant black babies with a sort of barcode engraved on their faces. I read that there\u2019s a local custom of kissing their bottoms for good luck\u2026 Well, of course I want luck, but how on earth was I supposed to kiss one of these kids on that huge bronze butt?!?! I look around and nobody\u2019s kissing them. Many people take photos with them, some climb on them. I wait a bit. More people come by. Nothing. Not a single kiss\u2026 So I just place my hand on one cheek, at least to get a handful of luck \ud83d\ude42 THAILAND PRAY TO PHALLUSES\u2026 In Thailand there is the Phallus Temple, located in the Phra Nang cave. The temple contains an impressive collection of phalluses of all sizes and colors. In Buddhist belief, these wooden objects are thought to bring fertility, so many people come to pray to them. I haven\u2019t made it there yet, but I have friends who already have. No prayers, though\u2026 In other corners of the world, you rub the penis of certain statues, convinced that doing so will solve some of your problems\u2026 PARIS. P\u00c8RE LACHAISE. In the famous P\u00e8re Lachaise cemetery, there is the tomb of a well-known 19th-century journalist \u2013 Victor Noir, who died in a duel with a cousin of Emperor Napoleon III. The man\u2019s funerary statue attracts thousands of visitors (not only women, mind you!) who come to touch the noticeable bulge in his trousers\u2026 Both women and men rub the statue\u2019s penis and kiss its lips, primarily for fertility, but also for improving relationships. I went looking for the tomb in question. You can barely spot it among the imposing graves nearby. Yet, small as it is, its fame has spread far and wide\u2026 I examined the funerary statue up close. You can clearly see that many people have passed through here\u2026 I didn\u2019t touch anything \u2013 heaven forbid \u2013 because, given how deserted it was, I might have looked on the surveillance cameras like a madwoman who came to vandalize graves. \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026. I\u2019m absolutely convinced the world is full of such statues, surrounded by customs, rituals, and superstitions. A list would be useful, so we\u2019d know where to wander and exactly what to rub for health, love, money, a long life, success with women\/men, fertility, luck, happiness, a good job, understanding bosses, a happy marriage, an easy birth, low loan interest rates, light traffic, big Black Friday discounts, smooth digestion\u2026 and so many more things besides.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11634,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[483,475,534,528,480,532,472,477,478,479,481,533,529,471,473,482,1691,1692,476,527],"class_list":["post-1939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-calatorii","tag-bebelusii-giganti","tag-charging-bull","tag-funny-statues","tag-giant-babies","tag-il-porcellino","tag-juliet-statue-verona","tag-obiceiuri","tag-pere-lachaise","tag-phra-nang","tag-san-pietro","tag-sculpturi","tag-statues","tag-statues-customs","tag-statui","tag-statui-ciudate","tag-statuia-julietei-verona","tag-superstitious","tag-victor-noir","tag-wall-street-bull","tag-weird-statues","main-post"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"2.12.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ro","en"],"languages":{"ro":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1939"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1939"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11670,"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1939\/revisions\/11670"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.danamladin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}