Water Fountains - When You Wish Upon Them

The ritual of tossing coins into wishing wells and water fountains is thought to date back to Roman-British and Celtic mythology. At that time, water was thought to house a deity, or to have been placed there as a gift from the gods. Since water was a scarce commodity, and was a source of life, it was highly valuable. Water was also thought to possess healing powers. People would make wishes over the water for a loved one to be cured. They would offer up something of value, like coins, in return for good health.

One of the oldest wishing wells is located in the northeastern tip of England. It was there that residents dropped their coins in the well as a dedication to the Roman Britain and Celtic goddess, Coventina. She was the goddess of wells and springs. Approximately 16,000 coins, that were issued from the first through the fifth centuries, were discovered when the well was unearthed in 1876.

The famous Roman Fountain of Trevi (which means three roads) is a well-known site of coin throwing. The original legend intended for the well wisher to stand with his back to the water fountain and throw the coin with the right hand, over the left shoulder. Tradition holds that throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain means a return visit to the city of Rome. The Trevi Fountain, which was completed in 1762 and stands 85.3 ft high and is 65.6 ft wide, is the largest Baroque water fountain in Rome. It is estimated that about $4,000 is thrown into the fountain each day. In the past, the money was used to help pay for a grocery store in a low income part of the city.

In the Italian city of Florence, a tradition that began no more than 10 years ago was halted in 2006. At least city officials thought this to be the case. Located on the Ponte Veccio bridge is the bust of Benvenuto Cellini, one of the city's famous artists. Couples would flock to the city and declare their undying love for one another represented by placing a padlock on the bust or the gate that surrounds the bust. Then they would throw the key off the bridge, into the Arno River, so that the lock could never be opened. This tradition was called Luchetti d'Amore, or locks of love. Officials removed over 5,500 locks, and continue to remove more daily. It seems to be a ritual that just won't disappear. Local people believe that the tradition is connected to a nearby military barracks. In the 1960s, servicemen would place their military wardrobe padlocks on the bust after finishing their service.

To this day, coins or keys are placed in home and garden fountains to represent wishes of good health, good fortune, or love. Consider adopting this tradition for yourself. A water fountain is a decorative focal point for any home or garden space that will surely become a conversation starter once a wish is made and a coin is tossed.

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