Bulgarians live in a gentle balance between the rational and the supernatural. Spend a little time with locals and you’ll soon notice that one in three believes in life after death, while nearly two-thirds trust in karma’s quiet justice. Some take these traditions and Bulgarian superstitions to heart, others tease them affectionately. Either way, it’s worth knowing the most common ones. A tiny gesture or an innocent comment can sometimes hit a cultural nerve you never knew existed and no one wants unnecessary drama on holiday.
So, are you ready to explore a land where crossroads meet legends, and where everyday life still shimmers with old beliefs?
TL;DR Essential Bulgarian Superstitions
- Don’t toast with water
- Odd-numbered flowers only
- Never celebrate early
- Avoid gifting pets
- Wear red thread for protection
- Don’t put tote-bags and purses on the floor
- Rings aren’t passed hand-to-hand
- Knock on wood (or your head)
- Century Old Superstitions and Modern Delusions in Bulgaria
- Beliefs Around Food and Drinks
- Pregnancy and Baby Superstitions
- Grief, Remembrance, and Superstitions in the Bulgarian Death Rituals
- Superstitions About Celebrations and Presents
- The 40th Birthday
- Superstitions about Money
- Animal Superstitions
- The Protective Power of the Red Thread
- Bulgarian Superstitions on Luck and Fear
- The Water in the Bulgarian Superstitions
- Curious Miscellaneous Superstitions
- FAQ About Bulgarian Superstitions
- Links
Century Old Superstitions and Modern Delusions in Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s superstitions – from protective red threads to playful sneeze-divination – form an intriguing layer of Bulgarian culture. Here you will find Christian symbolism and ancient pagan rituals, Communist-era coping mechanisms and even post-1990s psychic scams. These beliefs, humorous or not, shape daily habits, celebrations and unspoken rules. For travellers, understanding Bulgarian superstitions is a way to move through the country with cultural sensitivity and to avoid accidental faux pas.
Although Christianity, adopted in 864, is central to Bulgarian identity, superstition has survived everything from Ottoman rule to Communist atheism. When religion was suppressed during the 20th century, folk rituals and whispered traditions filled the spiritual vacuum. After 1989, with the doors to the world suddenly open, new ideas flowed in. Among those were UFO cults, TV psychics and phone-line fortune tellers. All they blended seamlessly with old Bulgarian folklore.
In the 1990s, Bulgaria’s chaotic post-Communist television offered “mystical” premium-rate shows where psychics promised to heal curses or predict the future for a fee. Others sought help from hodzhas – self-proclaimed Muslim mystics specialising in curse-breaking. Even churches sell amulets decorated with icons or holy water.
The Bulgarian motto? If it doesn’t help, it doesn’t hurt — better safe than sorry. So what superstitions might you encounter while travelling through Bulgaria? Let’s explore the most fascinating ones woven into modern life.
Beliefs Around Food and Drinks in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, sharing food and drinks is more than a social activity. It’s wrapped in centuries-old traditions and steeped in cultural superstitions. One key rule is that toasting without making eye contact is believed to bring bad luck to the friendship. Similarly, clinking glasses with water for a toast is considered deeply unlucky, as water symbolises emptiness rather than joy. For the local Bulgarians water lacks the symbolic warmth of alcohol. These customs reflect the importance of sincerity and connection in Bulgarian gatherings.
In Bulgaria even the last piece of food matters. 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. The playful “remedy” is simple: whoever takes the last piece pays for the next meal. These customs reflect a culture that values hospitality, sincerity and connection, a hallmark of Bulgarian culture.
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. Despite medical advancements, these superstitions endure, illustrating how deeply cultural beliefs are tied to life’s most vulnerable moments. They demonstrate tenderness and inherited wisdom, even in an age of advanced medicine. Some follow them out of habit, others for comfort, but all reflect Bulgaria’s rich folklore.
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. These rules were meant to minimise risks in an era when pregnancy was far more dangerous. Interesting belief that if a pregnant woman is frightened by something, the baby will develop a birthmark resembling what scared her.
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. Practicality often overrides this today. Many modern parents 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, when 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.
Grief, Remembrance, and Superstitions in the Bulgarian Death Rituals
Death in Bulgaria is marked by a complex mix of Orthodox tradition and pre-Christian rituals. When someone dies, mirrors are covered so the spirit does not linger and clocks are stopped at the moment of death.
Personal items like prescription glasses, walking canes, or cherished belongings are sometimes placed in the grave. Some people believe that these help the deceased transition to the afterlife.
After the funeral, mourners avoid returning home the same way they came, ensuring misfortune cannot follow. These rituals bring Bulgarian folklore in everyday life. They are rooted in a desire to honour the dead while safeguarding the living.
On the 40th day, Bulgarians perform the emotional “Rite of Giving,” when they believe the soul fully departs. Families distribute food such as small loaves of bread, wheat, or sweets. Often they do it along with practical items like towels or dishes. They give these offerings to strangers, the poor, or loved ones as keepsakes. This act ensures people remember the deceased, especially when recipients use the gifted plates or cups in daily life.
According to folklore, spilling food or drink by accident signals that the dead are hungry or thirsty. To address this, people often set aside a small portion in the departed’s memory as an act of remembrance. Similarly, after a death, family members may visit the grave to pour water or wine 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.
Superstitions About Presents in Bulgaria
Gifting flowers? Count carefully. 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. People never celebrate birthdays before the actual date, and they avoid giving baby gifts 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.
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. This superstition warns that a gifted watch causes the recipient to drift away from the giver. In the Bulgarian culture candles are not good present, they do not bring happiness because they are used in riligeous rituals and churches. This does not mean that if you receive a candle for Christmas, you should throw it away. Just give a coin to the person who gave it to you to purify yourself. 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 or a candle, 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.
The 40th Birthday
Bulgarian custom discourages celebrating a 40th birthday (particularly for men) because folklore directly associates the number 40 with death and misfortune. This belief stems from Orthodox Christian traditions, which hold that the soul wanders the earth for 40 days after death before passing into the afterlife.
People see celebrating a 40th birthday as “tempting fate,” as if inviting an early death. This taboo holds greater power for men, rooted in traditional gender roles that viewed them as the primary breadwinners. In past epochs of poor healthcare, reaching 40 marked a critical and 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.
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
Animals are rich in symbolic meaning in Bulgarian folklore. Bulgarian tradition holds that giving a pet as a gift invites bad luck. Avoiding at all cost to present a pet to someone is actually very practical but in Bulgaria people say that it may cause a quarrel with the giver. There is more! People say that this can even lead to the animal’s untimely death. The custom avoids this by requiring one to “sell” a dog for at least a symbolic coin, never give it as a gift. The act of exchanging money, no matter how small, breaks the curse and secures a loyal bond between the pet and its new 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 in Bulgaria. 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. Many Bulgarians adore black cats despite the superstition.
Ladybirds, in contrast, bring joy and love. 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
The red thread is one of the most iconic Bulgarian superstitions. 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”.
Bulgarian Superstitions on Luck and Fear
One of Bulgaria’s strangest customs involves spitting into your own collar or bosom after a sudden scare. Of course, no one literally spits; the important part is the gesture, which people often accompany with the sounds “Pu-pu!” Though its origins are unclear, practitioners believe the act wards off lingering bad energy or calms 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 scepticism.
The Water in the Bulgarian Superstitions
In Bulgarian tradition, water is deeply woven into a range of Bulgarian superstitions believed to shield people from misfortune. Historically, water was seen not only as a way to wash away physical impurities but also as a powerful energetic force capable of cleansing emotional pain, fear and negativity. Bulgarians even have a saying, “po voda” (по-вода, “by water”), meaning that something unfolds smoothly and effortlessly, without unpleasant surprises.
One of the most widespread superstitions in Bulgaria is the ritual of pouring water for luck and good fortune. This is especially common on milestone days such as the first day of school, starting a new job, embarking on a journey or undertaking something important. Walking over freshly spilled water is believed to ensure everything will be flowing easily and without obstacles.
The beliefs go even further. According to traditional Bulgarian superstitions, someone plagued by persistent bad luck should leap over a stream or cross a bridge above running water. The idea is that misfortune is left behind on one bank, while the person emerges “cleansed” upon reaching the other side.
There are practical, everyday superstitions too. When bathing in natural waters such as a river, lake or reservoir, Bulgarians insist you must never spit into the water. Doing so is believed to bring severe misfortune, as it symbolically insults the very element meant to protect and purify.
Curious Miscellaneous Superstitions in Bulgaria
In Bulgarian tradition, people consider it bad luck to pass a ring directly from hand to hand. Instead, the giver must place it on a surface, like a table, and the receiver must pick it up from there. This practice is believed to prevent the transfer of negative energy. 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.
Some sweeping superstitions address Love and Laziness. You should never sweep over an unmarried person with a broom, or you will “sweep away” their romantic chances, causing them to struggle to find a partner. Conversely, sweeping over children or teens cleanses their laziness and motivates them to work harder. These contrasting practices show how Bulgarian superstitions assign different meanings to the same action based on context.
When someone sneezes, Bulgarians call out a random three-digit number. You sum the digits and reduce them to a single number, which corresponds 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.
FAQ About Bulgarian Superstitions
Observance varies greatly by age group. Older generations tend to follow traditions more closely, while younger people often challenge the status quo.
Do not walk under an open ladder. This is a reasonably practical superstition, given the safety standards at some construction sites.
Absolutely. Black cats, broken mirrors, and knocking on wood are Western superstitions that are also popular in Bulgaria. Giving clocks and watches as gifts is a common Eastern and Bulgarian superstition. The “evil eye” charm, popular around the Mediterranean, is also seen in Bulgaria. The country’s geographical location has allowed it to absorb and adapt many traditions from other cultures.
The 40th Birthday Taboo is arguably the most quintessentially Bulgarian superstition. While other cultures have “unlucky” numbers (like 4 or 13), the complete avoidance of celebrating this specific milestone birthday for symbolic reasons is exceptionally rare and strongly tied to Bulgarian culture.
Links
- Light Love Rituals: Bulgarian Myths, Legends, and Folklore
- Bulgarian Mythology and Legends: Journey Through Time With Myths and Folklore
- Bulgarian Folklores: Timeless Collection of Stories from the Heart of the Bulgaria
You can learn more about the mystic of sneezing in our dedicated article:
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!