As you stroll through an Italian city or village, you may notice a bow adorning some apartment doors. This ribbon, known as ‘Fiocco Nascita,’ serves as a birth announcement, signaling to the world that a new addition to the family has arrived.
Typically, the birth ribbon comes in pink or blue to indicate whether a baby girl or boy has come into the world. These bows can range from simple tulle designs to elaborate, decorative creations. They are usually placed high above the entrance (portone) to inform neighbors that the joyous occasion has finally occurred.
A fiocco nascita is generally displayed on the day the baby returns home from the hospital and remains there for about a month. Some believe that the two ribbons tied together symbolize the union of two lives becoming one. However, many people today focus less on the symbolism, as the tradition of hanging a fiocco nascita has become well-established across Italy.
The bows may be handmade and personalized with the baby’s name, serving as cherished keepsakes for years to come. Such decorative fiocco nascita can also be quite expensive, often costing up to €100, depending on their intricacy. However, even simpler versions generally include a small card where parents can jot down the baby’s name, birth date, weight, and height, if they wish.
Every time I see a fiocco nascita, I can’t help but smile, sending silent well-wishes to the family settling into their new reality. I appreciate the discreet way these bows announce the arrival of a baby, eliminating the need for neighbors to keep asking—and they add a lovely touch of decoration and joy to the surroundings.
When we hung our first ribbon in 2017, our close neighbors came by with food and gifts, making our early days of parenting feel less isolating—our village showed their support! When the second bow went up, we were amidst Italy’s first national COVID lockdown, which prevented visits, but we still managed to share some joyful news.
I’m excited to announce that we’ve recently hung our third fiocco nascita! A new little Roman has joined us (she arrived just four days after we moved into our new home), and we can’t wait to introduce her to the city.
If you’re interested in more experiences related to parenting in Italy, feel free to explore topics like traveling while pregnant in Italy, what babies eat in Italy, breastfeeding experiences in Italy, and the childbirth process in Italy.
