Are Bulgarians superstitious?

Are Bulgarians superstitious and are you familiar with the most common superstitions? Circle the correct answer:

What first comes to mind when you see the following objects?

• Coming across a  four-leaved clover means good luck for the finder.
• In case a black cat crosses your path, there is a risk that something bad might happen to you until the end of the day.
• Walking under a ladder invariably stands for bad luck.
• All of the above.

If you are of the opinion that ALL of the statements are TRUE, then you have answered the question correctly. Good for you!

Probably, these three symbols – a four-leaved clover, a black cat and a ladder – are among the most common ones worldwide.

Everyone has spent hours and hours (or at least some 10 minutes) looking for a ‘lucky’ clover in the backyard. Or while hiking in the mountains. We tend to be really tenacious when it comes to ensuring good luck for ourselves and our beloved ones. What’s more, you can notice people crossing the street in order to escape a ‘meeting’ with a black cat on the pavement. The case with the ladder is close in meaning to the one with the cat. If we happen to pass under a ladder, then we are really wary for the rest of the day.

Superstitions had gained far more popularity throughout the previous centuries when people did not have so great amount of information at a mouse click.

They came up with different and innovative (for the time) ideas that perfectly explained situations and objects, such as the rare four-leaved clovers or a broken mirror. Superstitions are associated with almost every nation and culture all over the world.

Nowadays, some of these beliefs are still wide-spread and accepted.

Our country does not make an exception to the rule.

If you present somebody with a purse/wallet then you should put a coin (no matter its value) inside. This way you make sure that the person who receives the gift will always have money in the pocket!

The same rule goes for watches/clocks. According to traditions, giving coins to the person who made you the present, symbolizes the redemption of the time between the two of you!

If you have the chance to meet a chimney-sweeper on the main street or somewhere else in Plovdiv, go near him and touch his clothes. Adults often encourage their children to do so when they are close to a man working as a chimney-sweeper. Actually, you can encounter a person dressed up as a chimney-sweeper even if he has another profession and only does it in order to make passers-by smile.

Another really common superstition in Bulgaria is connected with the small cute creatures – ladybugs. When a ladybug alights upon your body, you should place it on your hand and wait until it flies away. The direction to which the insect flies off will be the direction from which your future husband comes from.

Furthermore, if you sneeze then someone is thinking about you. You can ask a person to tell you a three-figured number and then you calculate it. The number stands for a letter in the alphabet. This is the first letter of the person’s name in whose thoughts you have a place!

These are only a few of the superstitions popular among Bulgarians!

If you are willing to learn more about Bulgarian superstitions, traditions, and history don’t hesitate to ask your guide on one of our tours!