While Christianity, adopted in 864, remains a core part of Bulgaria’s identity, superstition has persisted through centuries, even under the harsh Communist atheism. When religion was suppressed, folk beliefs filled the void, offering comfort in uncertain times. After 1989, globalization brought new superstitions, like UFO cults or psychic scams, blending with local traditions.
In the 90s post-Communism TV flooded cable channels, charging desperate callers premium rates to learn their fate. Some people turn to hodzhas, self-proclaimed Muslim mystics offering jinx-breaking and healing. Even churches sell icon-adorned charms. People might say that if it does not help, it doesn’t do harm, so better safe than sorry.
So what are the superstitions you might encounter?
- Beliefs Around Food and Drinks
- Pregnancy and Baby Superstitions
- Death Rituals and Superstitions
- Celebrations and Presents
- Superstitions about Money
- Animal Superstitions
- The Protective Power of the Red Thread
- Miscellaneous Superstitions
Beliefs Around Food and Drinks in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, sharing food and drinks is more than a social activity, it’s steeped in cultural superstitions. One key rule is that toasting without making eye contact is believed to bring bad luck to the friendship.
Similarly, raising a glass of water for a toast is considered unlucky, as water lacks the symbolic warmth of alcohol. These customs reflect the importance of sincerity and connection in Bulgarian gatherings.
Even the way food is shared carries meaning. Taking the last piece of food such as bread or cake from a communal plate is thought to bring misfortune to your friendship with those at the table. Some say that this bad fate can have an easy fix. The person who eats the final slice should pay for the next meal. This superstition likely stems from old traditions of hospitality, where ensuring everyone was well-fed was a sign of respect.
Even in modern times, many Bulgarians still follow these practices, blending tradition with everyday life.
Pregnancy and Baby Superstitions in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, pregnancy and childbirth have long been surrounded by superstitions, many rooted in the high mortality rates of the past. With limited medical knowledge and poor hygiene, survival for both mother and baby was uncertain, leading to beliefs meant to protect them. These traditions, passed down through generations, reflect a mix of caution, folklore, and symbolic reasoning. Even today, some families still follow them, blending old customs with modern life.
One common belief is that a pregnant woman should not cut her hair, as doing so would “cut” the baby’s future luck. Another superstition warns against stepping over cables or ropes, fearing it could cause the umbilical cord to twist around the baby’s neck.
There’s also a belief that if a pregnant woman is frightened by something, the baby will develop a birthmark resembling what scared her. These rules were meant to minimize risks in an era when pregnancy was far more dangerous.
A particularly emotional superstition advises against buying baby items before birth, as it was seen as tempting fate. Indeed, if a woman miscarries, having baby clothes or a cradle at home would deepen her grief. This belief persists in some families, though practicality often overrides it today.
Many modern parents, living far from relatives, must prepare essentials in advance, leading to new adaptations of old traditions. To counter the “bad luck” of preparing too early, new superstitions have emerged. For example, if parents buy a crib or stroller before the baby is born, they should place a stuffed toy inside to “fill” it symbolically. This small ritual eases anxieties while allowing practical preparations. It shows how traditions evolve, mixing old fears with contemporary needs in a changing society.
Despite medical advancements, these superstitions endure, illustrating how deeply cultural beliefs are tied to life’s most vulnerable moments. Some follow them out of habit, others for comfort, but all reflect Bulgaria’s rich folklore.
Bulgarian Death Rituals and Superstitions
When a person passes away in Bulgaria, several customs are observed to protect the living and guide the deceased’s soul. Mirrors in the house are covered to prevent the spirit from lingering. Clocks are stopped at the exact time of death, symbolizing the end of the departed’s earthly time. Even in deeply Orthodox families, some pre-Christian customs persist.
Personal items like prescription glasses, walking canes, or cherished belongings are sometimes placed in the grave, ensuring the deceased has what they need in the afterlife. After the burial, mourners avoid returning home the same way they came, fearing misfortune might follow them. These rituals are rooted in a desire to honor the dead while safeguarding the living.
The “Rite of Giving” is a key tradition, usually performed on the 40th day after death, when the soul is believed to fully depart. Food, such as small loaves of bread, wheat, or sweets, is distributed, along with practical items like towels or dishes. These offerings are given to strangers, the poor, or loved ones as keepsakes. The act symbolizes charity and ensures the deceased is remembered, especially when recipients use the gifted plates or cups in daily life.
Another common belief is that if food or drink is accidentally spilled during a meal, it signifies the dead are hungry or thirsty. To honor them, a small portion of the meal may be set aside in their memory. Similarly, after a death, family members may visit the grave to pour water, wine, or brandy into the earth, a gesture meant to nourish the soul in the afterlife.
Though modern life has changed many traditions, the rituals remain to provide comfort, maintain a bond with lost loved ones, and reflect a worldview where death is not an end but a transition.
Celebrations and Presents in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, the number of flowers you give carries deep symbolic meaning. Always present an odd number of flowers because even numbers are reserved for funerals and the deceased. This tradition stems from the belief that even numbers represent finality, while odd numbers symbolize life and growth. Some say that once a bouquet exceeds a dozen of flowers, this rule no longer applies because you now have a dozen+.
Bulgarians are cautious about premature celebrations, believing it invites bad luck. Birthdays are never celebrated before the actual date, and baby gifts are avoided until after the birth. This superstition reflects a cultural emphasis on avoiding jinxes and celebrating something before it happens might somehow prevent it from occurring. Even in modern times, many Bulgarians adhere to this tradition, preferring to wait until the milestones before marking them.
In Bulgaria, the 40th birthday is traditionally not celebrated, especially for men. In Bulgarian folklore, the number 40 is symbolically linked to death, mourning, and misfortune. This stems from Orthodox Christian traditions, where the soul is believed to wander the earth for 40 days after death before passing into the afterlife. Celebrating a 40th birthday is seen as “tempting fate,” as if inviting an early death. The taboo is stronger for men, due to traditional gender roles where men were seen as breadwinners. In the past epochs of poor healthcare, reaching 40 was a critical, precarious age. While many modern Bulgarians still avoid big celebrations at 40, some now mark the occasion quietly or celebrate calling it something else (e.g., “39+1”) to avoid acknowledging the number directly.
There are also some gift giving taboos and certain gifts are considered unlucky. Empty wallets, bags, or backpacks symbolize impending poverty, so they should always contain at least a coin to “break” the curse. Watches, while practical, are believed to cause the recipient to drift away from the giver. These superstitions reveal how Bulgarians view gifts not just as objects, but as carriers of fate and energy.
There are clever workarounds for unlucky presents! To bypass these superstitions, Bulgarians have devised smart solutions. If someone receives a watch, they can “buy” it from the giver for a symbolic coin, neutralizing the bad luck. Similarly, placing money inside an empty wallet before gifting it ensures prosperity rather than poverty. These small rituals allow people to exchange meaningful gifts without fear of negative consequences, blending tradition with practicality.
Superstitions about Money in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, even bodily sensations are believed to predict financial fortunes. If your right palm itches, tradition says you’ll soon give money away, while an itchy left palm means money is coming to you. This superstition likely stems from old folk beliefs linking the right side to action (spending) and the left to reception (gaining). While not taken too seriously today, many still playfully reference it when their hands tingle.
Where you place your wallet or purse also matters. Never put it on the floor, or you risk poverty. Some tie this belief to practicality: floors are dirty, and placing valuables there symbolizes carelessness with money. Others see it as a literal warning; letting money “fall low” invites financial decline. Even in modern offices or homes, you’ll often see Bulgarians hanging bags on hooks or chairs to avoid bad luck.
Spotting a coin on the street is considered a lucky omen, and ignoring it could mean missing future prosperity. Bulgarians often pick up stray coins, even small ones, to “accept” the opportunity wealth represents. Passing by is thought to repel money, as if refusing fortune’s gift. This custom blends superstition with a thrifty mindset, after all, every penny counts.
Animal Superstitions in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, giving a pet as a gift is believed to bring bad luck, it may cause a quarrel with the giver and even lead to the animal’s untimely death. To avoid this, dogs are traditionally “sold” rather than gifted, even if just for a symbolic coin, ensuring loyalty to the new owner. This exchange of money, no matter how small, is thought to break the curse and protect the bond between pet and owner. Such customs reflect the deep connection Bulgarians see between animals and fate. On the practical side, it is always good to think twice before gifting an animal as those lovely souls require attention, food, healthcare and are long term responsibility.
Similar to other cultures, a black cat crossing your path is considered an omen of misfortune. To counteract the bad luck, one must either take a different route or perform a ritual, crossing the fingers or throwing a stone and turning around three times. While some people chase away the cats to prevent crossing paths with them, others genuinely enjoy back cats.
On the brighter side, spotting a ladybug is seen as a sign of coming happiness or true love. Children often chant, “Kalinke malinke, fly away and tell me where happiness is!” as the ladybug flies away, supposedly pointing toward future joy. This cheerful belief shows how Bulgarian folklore finds magic in small, everyday moments, turning nature’s creatures into messengers of hope.
The Protective Power of the Red Thread in Bulgarian Tradition
In Bulgarian folklore, the red thread holds special significance as a talisman against evil, particularly during the “unclean days” between Ignazhden (December 20) and Jordanovden (January 6) but many wear it all year round. According to tradition, a woman in the household ties a red thread around each family member’s wrist to shield them from misfortune during this spiritually vulnerable period. Unlike the Martenitsa, which marks the arrival of spring, this red thread serves purely as a protective charm, reflecting Bulgaria’s deep-rooted superstitions about unseen dangers.
The placement of the thread also carries meaning. Some wear it on the left wrist to keep it “closer to the heart,” ensuring the flow of positive energy, while others follow gender-specific rules: right for men, left for women.
Beyond the winter period, the red thread is commonly tied around babies’ wrists or cribs to guard them against the “evil eye.” The red thread endures as a cultural symbol of safety and hope. It represents a connection to Bulgaria’s pagan past.
Though the Orthodox Church dismisses the practice as pagan, and science has not shown a sign of back up to the claims, many Bulgarians still uphold the custom and wear the red thread. Among those are ministers, healthcare specialists and “influencers”.
Curious Miscellaneous Superstitions in Bulgaria
In Bulgarian tradition, passing a ring directly from hand to hand is considered bad luck. Instead, the giver must place it on a surface (like a table) for the receiver to pick up. It is believed that this prevents negative energy transfer. However, this rule doesn’t apply to gifts, such as engagement rings, where direct handing symbolizes trust. The custom likely stems from old beliefs about circular objects trapping fate or curses.
Love and Laziness are addresses in some sweeping superstitions. An unmarried person should never be swept over with a broom, or they’ll struggle to find a partner, a belief tied to the idea of “sweeping away” romantic chances. Conversely, sweeping over children or teens is thought to “cleanse” laziness, motivating them to work harder. These contrasting practices show how Bulgarian superstitions assign different meanings to the same action based on context.
One of Bulgaria’s strangest customs involves spitting into your own collar or bosom after a sudden scare. Though its origins are unclear, the act is believed to ward off lingering bad energy or calm the startled person. Some theorize it’s a symbolic rejection of evil, while others link it to ancient Slavic rituals. Either way, it remains a baffling but enduring reflex for many.
Knocking on wood or your head is another small ritual many Bulgarian perform. To avoid jinxing good plans, Bulgarians knock on wood, yes, literally on wood, or even their own heads, to “silence” the Devil. The phrase “Чукам на дърво, да не ме чуе Дяволът” (“I knock on wood so the Devil doesn’t hear me”) reflects a mix of Christian and pagan caution. The head-tapping variant plays on the Bulgarian idiom “дървена глава” (“wooden head”), humorously acknowledging stubbornness while dodging misfortune.
“Too Much Good Brings Bad Luck” is something Bulgarians believe and are afraid of. A deeply ingrained Bulgarian pessimism warns that excessive good fortune invites disaster, summed up in the saying “Много добро не е добро” (“A lot of good stuff is not good”). This mindset may stem from historical hardships, where prosperity felt fleeting, as well as modern times when spoilt people or burn out are common in the public life. Some Bulgarian downplay successes to avoid “tempting fate,” revealing a cultural tension between hope and skepticism.
When someone sneezes, Bulgarians call out a random three-digit number. The digits are summed and reduced to a number, corresponding to a letter in the Bulgarian alphabet. The sneezer then guesses which acquaintance (with that letter) is thinking of them. This quirky blend of math and mysticism turns a mundane act into a playful divination game.
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Bulgarian culture brims with peculiar superstitions. Why you mustn’t toast with water, how a red thread deflects evil, and why sneezes become alphabet math. We hoe you have discovered the hidden rules governing everything from pregnancy to pocket change in this deep dive into Balkan beliefs!