For all of us that have been living or visiting Bulgaria, we have seen that Bulgarian people from time to time do some strange rituals.
And today we will explain to you some of the most common beliefs that Bulgarians still practice to protect themselves and the people that they care about it from bad luck and evil spirits, then you will know how to protect yourself and your loved ones, from bad luck in case something happens.
Bulgarians as many other nations are afraid of black cats, passing below a ladder, and Friday 13, and our idea is to present some of the old traditions and superstitions that are difficult to see outside the Balkan region.
1- Spit on a baby when you see it for the first time
When you see a baby for the first time you have to pretend that you spit on the baby, and say some words to protect the newborn, for that you can say: “To don’t catch bad eye”, and others say that the baby is ugly or something similar, with the purpose of, confusing the devil and he to don’t attack the baby.
2-Spit in your bosom when you get scared
When suddenly you get afraid of something, but in the end, nothing happens, Bulgarians will pretend to spit three times in their bosom, and they do this with the aim to calm themselves down.
3-Knock on wood and after on your head
This is a very common ritual, and you should do it when you hear somebody talking about a tragedy or a dangerous situation, and you don’t want this to happen to you, then doing these actions suppose to protect you.
4- Tie a red thread on your left wrist against ‘bad eye’
This belief is still very common in Bulgaria and is used mostly to protect children, babies, and pregnant women. Is essential that the person who ties the thread must be the mother, and in case she can’t it should be somebody who loves the wearer unconditionally.
If you look carefully, you will see that even the Bulgarian prime minister has red a wool thread on his wrist.
5- To put a coin under the baby bed
This is a particularly old tradition, and consist that the parents of a newborn should put a coin under the mattress of the baby if they do this the belive says that the baby will grow strong and healthy like the metal of the coin
6- Throwing water when someone leaves the house
This is one that you can see it quite often, when someone leaves the house, for travel, business meeting or any important event, the one that is left behind throws some water, outside the house in the direction of the person. This means good luck. That all the things will run smoothly like the water flows.
7- Don’t hand over a wedding ring directly to some else
One should never hand over a wedding ring directly to someone else. At first one should put the ring at the table so the other person can pick it up. Similar to this, before the wedding no one should try the ring neither bride nor someone else. if that happens will bring bad luck to the marriage.
8- Never put the bread upside down
If you store the bread upside down, is believed that this will bring you bad luck.
9- if you hand is itching
This will have a different significate depending on which hand it is,
Right hand: You will give money;
Left hand: You will receive money.
10- Bouquets must have an odd number of flowers
Be careful and never give 4, 6, 8 or any even flowers to a person, the explanation is that bouquets with even numbers are for funeral ceremonies or cemeteries.
11- When you move to a new house
When having a new home, let first the cat walk into the house. Then you can close the door behind it. Where the cat lays down, one should put his bed, this is the best place in the house!
12-Martenitsa
The first of March is called Martenitsa: people give a red and white thread to each other, hanging around the wrist or neck, and wish you good health.
You should wear this till you see the first stork that year. After that, you must put this on a blossoming tree or bush, which will bear fruits.
13- Lending salt
There are many superstitions related to salt in many cultures, and this is because of the high value that this commodity had since many centuries ago.
One should never lend salt to a neighbor or people from outside the close family, if you give away salt means that you are giving away the wealth of your home.
14- When you see a Funeral
When a funeral procession arrives, you should not pass them by, but wait till the procession has passed. If you don’t follow will bring you bad luck or even death.
15- when you Celebrate a birthday
You should not celebrate one’s birthday before the date of birth if you do it this brings bad luck for the whole year.
16- Remedy when kids get very scared
When a kid gets very scared and is believed that it will help him or her to don’t have psychological repercussions, it is very important the kid drink a glass of cold water, make pee and do a forward roll.
Bad Luck believers are not only in Bulgaria
Did you know that some airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa, do not have a 13th row. Lufthansa also has no 17th row – because in some countries – such as Italy and Brazil – the typical unlucky number is 17 and not 13.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly superstitious person, you probably say “bless you” when someone sneezes, just in case the devil should decide to steal their soul – as our ancestors thought possible during a sneeze.
Let us know in the comments if we have missed any other way to keep the good luck on your side.
