Have you heard of these quirky Hungarian Easter superstitions?
In Hungary, Easter is surrounded by many weird and wonderful customs inherited from ancient times, which were perpetuated through generations, in order to ensure wealth and health in the house. Here is a collection of Hungarian Easter superstitions and lore associated with these holy days.
Sharing the Easter egg
Traditionally, decorated Easter eggs are shared among lovers or family members when eaten instead of one munching on it alone. According to the Hungarian Easter superstition, even if your paths go separate ways next year, you will be united again as you remember the egg you shared at Easter.
Don’t look up to the sky
Back in the day, people would often look up to the sky for clues when facing dilemmas or difficulties. However, on Easter Day, it’s very much discouraged, or else you may lose your sweetheart if you happen to witness a shooting star while staring at the night sky.
Stay away from the broom
Even if you are expecting guests, it’s best if you do the cleaning the day before Easter as sweeping your house may bring misfortune upon you. Along with the dust, you may sweep away your luck as well. Airing your blanket in the morning is also not advised as it can bring about the same result. A tidy home may not always worth the risk.
Magical Hungarian Easter dishes
In Hungarian folklore, many traditional festive dishes are said to have magical properties. For example, Easter bacon is often attached to the fruit trees to bring a good harvest. After the meal, keep the crumbs, don’t bin them right away. Instead, throw them in the garden, or at least leave them on your balcony. Bread crumbs were believed to make the soil fertile and bring wealth and success to the family. In some regions in Hungary, they would feed them to the chickens to lay more eggs.
Catkin for love and child-bearing
Catkin is one of the oldest symbols of Easter. Lore has it, if you place a couple of blossoming catkin branches in a vase and decorate them with red-painted eggs, you will find love or your crush will finally reciprocate your feelings. Eggs also symbolise fertility, therefore, they can help to conceive.
- Read also: Funny Hungarian Easter rhymes translated
Lucky Rabbit’s foot’s charm
Back in the day, the rabbit’s foot was considered a token of good luck. Those who carried one in their left pocket believed that love would find them soon. In addition, it was also meant to ward off evil spirits.
Catkin for stomach woes
Catkin was deemed to have healing power in the old days. People in the villages would swallow a tiny piece of catkin on Easter Day in the hope that it would protect them from all kinds of stomach issues throughout the year. Disclaimer: we don’t advise trying this one out at home!
Cold shower for optimal health
If you want to make sure you will keep fit as a fiddle all year round, cleanse yourself with cold spring water on the morning of Easter Day. Alternatively, you can also take a cold shower at home as the point of this superstition is only that on the day of resurrection that brings new beginnings, you too should leave your troubles behind, wash away the worries and wounds of the past period, and come out of the Lenten season purified and fresh.
Get a new dress
You can finally justify that buying a new addition to your wardrobe can be viewed as an investment. According to a Hungarian Easter superstition, wearing new clothes on Easter Day will bring good fortune and abundance. You can also add a red coloured ribbon or belt to your outfit to ensure that luck won’t leave your side.
Advice for newlyweds
If you want a long-lasting marriage, get up early at sunrise on Easter Day and walk around the house three times, holding your spouse’s hand. Whether it turns out to be true, only time will tell. Nevertheless, a bit of morning exercise is a great way to start the day off with the right frame of mind.
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