Urban legends have long been a fascinating part of folklore, blending myth and reality in a way that captures the imagination. These stories are filled with mysterious events, unexplained phenomena, and eerie occurrences that seem too strange to be true. Budapest’s urban legends are no exception. In this article, we share one of Budapest’s urban legends that has been circulating on the internet lately.
Budapest’s urban legend
As Promotions writes, Budapest’s urban legend includes tales that have been passed down through generations, with each story contributing to the city’s mysterious charm. One such tale involves a strange, well-dressed man on Metro Line M3. He is said to appear at different stops without ever being seen boarding or disembarking. Passengers who attempt to speak to him report that he remains silent, staring motionlessly out of the window. When approached, the man vanishes suddenly, leaving a chilling coldness in his wake, and no one has ever been able to get him to speak or reveal more about his presence.
What happened to the man?
According to Budapest‘s urban legend, the mysterious man in the suit is believed to be the ghost of a worker who tragically died during the construction of Metro Line M3 in 1976. It is said that a tunnel collapsed, burying the man, and now his spirit haunts the metro. Despite decades of eerie sightings, the man remains silent and never interacts with passengers, though his presence is undeniably unsettling. Witnesses often claim to see him at the back of empty carriages late at night. Reports of these supernatural occurrences have surfaced on various social media platforms, with even foreign visitors claiming to have encountered the ghostly figure.
Cursed painting in Budapest?
In addition to Budapest’s urban legend about the mysterious man in a suit, a story about a cursed painting has been also circulating on the internet. As Promotions also reports, a Hungarian family found an old painting on the streets and decided to display it in their living room, only to experience a series of unsettling nightmares. As the dreams grew more intense, they opted to dispose of the painting, leaving it outside with a security camera to monitor it.
The family decided to contact a Hungarian YouTuber interested in unusual tales and offered him the painting for free. Despite the eerie background, the YouTuber and his girlfriend eventually discovered that the painting was created by a German landscape painter with no known connection to any cursed history. The true origin of the painting still remains unclear. We’ll leave it to our readers to wonder if the strange experiences were merely coincidental or part of a larger mystery.
A Hungarian Christmas wouldn’t be complete without walnuts—a festive favourite steeped in tradition and lore. From pretty ornaments gracing Christmas trees to fortune-telling rituals rooted in Hungarian folklore, walnuts bring a sprinkle of magic and meaning to the holiday season. Beyond its symbolic ties to St Augustine and the nativity story, the walnut doubles as a culinary star and a staple of good health.
Walnuts are essential for a Hungarian Christmas
As 24.hu writes, nuts, particularly walnuts, hold a cherished place in year-end holiday traditions. Many families adorn their Christmas trees with walnut decorations, ranging from gold-sprayed and ribboned ornaments to intricate creations like a baby Jesus figurine nestled in a walnut shell. St Augustine linked the walnut to Christ, symbolising the Saviour’s life from the womb to the tomb, which may explain its Christian associations. Beyond decoration, walnuts are a festive staple, featured in celebratory dishes across households during the season. We could not imagine a Hungarian Christmas without bejgli with walnut-filling… In addition, walnuts hold a unique place in Hungarian folklore as well.
Fortune-telling?
In Hungarian folklore, walnuts transcend their culinary and decorative roles, believed to possess magical properties and serve as tools for divination. Without religious connotations, walnuts were used to predict health, wealth, and fate for the coming year. Family members would crack open their designated nuts, interpreting their condition (rotten or good) as omens. Moreover, the weather for the following year was foretold using walnut shells; water poured into 12 half-shells represented each month, with evaporation levels predicting rainfall.
Beyond Hungarian folklore
Beyond Hungarian folklore, walnuts have long been celebrated for their health benefits. Ancient Greeks used walnuts to treat wounds and parasites, while mediaeval remedies employed them for rheumatic and nervous system ailments. Hungarian folk medicine praised walnuts for cleansing the blood and addressing intestinal and gastric issues. Today, their high nutritional value makes them a staple for vegetarians, offering a calorie content comparable to beef. Modern research highlights their role in reducing heart disease risk, with walnut oil providing vasoprotective properties, lowering cholesterol, preventing atherosclerosis, and delivering antioxidant effects, cementing walnuts as a nutritional powerhouse.
St. Martin’s Day (Márton-nap) in Hungary, celebrated on 11 November, marks the end of the agricultural year with lively festivities, indulgent feasts, and a tapestry of age-old superstitions. This day is a vibrant blend of gastronomic traditions—roast goose and new wine are musts—and folk beliefs.
Goose feast
Central to the celebrations is the feasting on roasted goose, a dish that has become synonymous with St. Martin’s Day. The tradition stems from a popular saying: “He who does not eat goose on St. Martin’s Day will be hungry all year.” Families prepare various goose dishes, including goose soup and roasted goose legs, often served with red cabbage. This meal not only signifies abundance but also serves as a farewell to the harvest season. Many restaurants have this special delicacy on the menu on St. Martin’s Day.
New wine
In addition to the culinary delights, St. Martin’s Day is also celebrated as the feast of new wine. This occasion marks the first tasting of the year’s wine harvest, with many families gathering to sample and bless their new wines. The act of tasting new wine is deeply embedded in Hungarian culture, symbolising both celebration and gratitude for the fruitful year.
Festivities
St. Martin’s Day also serves as a time for community gatherings. Families come together to share meals, enjoy each other’s company, and partake in local festivities that often include folk dances and music. Many towns host public events where people can celebrate with traditional foods and drinks, reinforcing community bonds.
In Hungary, St. Martin’s Day torch-lit processions, inspired by German traditions, symbolise the light of good deeds. Organised by German-speaking communities, schools, and churches, children and families walk the streets with handmade lanterns, singing songs dedicated to St. Martin. Often led by a rider dressed as St. Martin in a Roman soldier’s red cloak, the procession culminates in a short play about St. Martin’s kindness to a beggar, followed by lighting a bonfire and sharing goose-shaped pastries and warm drinks.
Working on this day brings bad luck
As the last holiday before Advent, St. Martin’s Day is viewed as a time for revelry before the 40-day Christmas fast begins. It is customary to refrain from household chores on this day, as doing so is believed to bring misfortune upon livestock. Instead, Hungarians embrace this festive occasion with joyous celebrations that honour both their heritage and the spirit of St. Martin. However, it is not a national holiday, thus most people have to go to work on this day regardless.
Predicting the weather
As Bors writes, on St. Martin’s Day, folk traditions in Hungary use the breastbone of a roast goose to predict the winter weather: a brown, short bone suggests a muddy season, while a long, white bone indicates snow. Yet, the day’s weather holds a different superstition—if Martin arrives “on a white horse” (meaning snowy), winter will be mild, but “on a brown horse” (meaning dry), a harsh season is expected. A saying goes, “If the goose walks on ice on Martin’s Day, it will walk on water at Christmas,” forecasting a mild end to winter. Rain on this day traditionally signals coming frost and drought.
Spooktober is the perfect time for chilling Hungarian legends! As the veil between the living and the spectral thins with the approach of Halloween, Hungary beckons with its haunting tales steeped in history. This enchanting land, rich in culture and folklore, is not merely a backdrop for ghostly encounters; it is a tapestry woven with Hungarian legends that whisper of tragic love, vengeful spirits, and the echoes of bygone eras. From the foreboding walls of ancient castles to the shadowy corners of abandoned palaces, each site holds a story waiting to be unveiled. Join us as we delve into the eerie chronicles of Hungary’s past, where every legend offers a chilling glimpse into the supernatural and a reminder that some stories are best left untold.
The bloody story of Báthory
As Magyarországom writes, the Hungarian legend of Csejte Castle centres around the infamous Erzsébet Báthory, known as the “Bloody Countess.” Living during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Báthory is said to have bathed in the blood of young girls to preserve her beauty. According to dark folklore, she tortured and killed hundreds of victims with the help of her servants, using methods so brutal they remain horrifying to this day.
Eventually arrested, Báthory was walled up alive in her castle, where her ghost is believed to still haunt the premises. Visitors often report eerie whispers and cold sensations within the castle walls. For the sake of completeness, however, we must mention that historians today believe that Báthory’s evildoers were the ones spreading these lies to acquire the countess’ wealth.
The witches of Diósgyőr
Diósgyőr Castle, located near Miskolc, is not only a stunning example of medieval architecture but also a focal point for eerie tales and Hungarian legend. Its walls have borne witness to both historical events and mystical occurrences. Local folklore tells of witches gathering in the surrounding woods, with strange nocturnal revelries and sightings of mysterious creatures, including the fearsome Iron-nosed Witch (Vasorrú Bába). In 1717, four women were accused of witchcraft in connection with these dark happenings. Allegedly, they corrupted the locals and they even transformed into turtles and swam across the Danube. These unfortunate women met a grim fate, burned alive at the stake in Búza Square. These chilling events continue to cast a shadow over Diósgyőr Castle’s history.
Chilling Hungarian legends about Dévény Castle
Dévény Castle, located in present-day Slovakia, is steeped in Hungarian legend and ghostly folklore. As one of the region’s oldest fortifications, it has long been the subject of chilling tales. One of the most famous legends involves a virgin girl walled up within the castle to make it unconquerable. Another tragic story recounts the doomed love of a nun and a knight, who leaped to their deaths from the castle, leading to the creation of the weiber-stein (asszonykő) and the naming of the Nun’s Tower (Apácatorony). These haunting stories, along with ghostly apparitions, contribute to the castle’s enduring mystical atmosphere.
The mystical creatures of Pécs
The Tettye stone wall in Pécs is also a place connected to various Hungarian legends, making it one of the most mysterious sites in the region. According to local folklore, the cliffs were once home to mystical creatures, including fairies, giants, witches, and ghouls. The imposing rock formation, believed to have eyes and the ability to swallow people whole, struck fear into the hearts of locals. Today, the Tettye “rock face” remains a popular destination, its unsettling atmosphere and unique shapes continuing to evoke the ancient ghost stories that once surrounded it.
The days of the Ice Saints have passed, and folklore has it that we can now expect warm weather in the remaining days of spring and in the coming summer. The days of Saint Pancras, Servatius, and Boniface, and extending the tradition, Urban, mark the last frosty period of spring. After 25 May, which is Urban’s Day, according to tradition, flowers can be planted outside. Here are some traditions related to the Ice Saints in Hungary.
The Ice Saints could bring prosperity or could freeze crops completely
The Ice Saints differ from country to country, but some versions of the traditions related to the saints are known across most of Europe, for example, in Germany, Austria, Italy, Czechia, Slovenia, Poland, and Hungary.
In Hungary, 12 May is the feast day of Saint Pancras, 13 May of Saint Servatius, and the 14 May of Saint Boniface of Tarsus. These are also the name days for the Hungarianised versions of these first names: Pongrác, Szervác, and Bonifác.
These three days in mid-May are important for agriculture, and traditionally, folks associated important superstitions with the weather at this time. People observed, for example, that the weather often took a turn for the worse in these days, and frosts were to be expected in many cases (this is the so-called blackthorn winter). This meant that people had to be careful with their timing of planting seedlings: a late spring freeze could destroy crops completely.
Chilipaprikablog.hu recalls how “paprika growers in Bogyiszló, Hungary, used to say when late frost hit and killed the plants: ‘The big buyer has bought up all the crop.’”
According to word of mouth in Topolya (a small town in today’s Serbia), “Pancras froze to death in a heatwave wearing a sheepskin coat, Servatius drowned in the middle of the Tisza River that had no water, and Boniface was bitten to death by mosquitoes – so they are angry with us humans and come back year after year to torment us”.
As the Arcanum Database collects, in other regions of Hungary, people believed that if the weather was bad on the Ice Saints’ days, a poor harvest was to come. On the other hand, if there were no clouds in the sky, the year would bring a good wine harvest. In order to keep the Ice Saints away from crops, people would burn fires and use the heat to protect their plants.
Urban’s Day was important for winegrowers
When the three Ice Saints had gone, there was still one more risky day in May: the 25th was the day of Saint Urban when the last freeze of the beginning of the year usually showed its teeth. The sudden cold that sets in at this time can be particularly damaging to flowering vines. The grapes are thus placed under the protection of Urban to protect the fruit from frosts on his name day.
Saint Urban, or as per the Hungarian spelling, Saint Orbán, therefore is the patron saint of winegrowers, coopers, and tavern keepers. According to legend, Pope Urban I ordered that the chalice and plate of the Holy Communion be made of gold or silver. He is therefore usually depicted holding a chalice, and a bunch of grapes.
The National Széchenyi Library writes of the superstitions connected with the day: old people in Szeged used to say, with equal amounts of humour and annoyance, that the person who put Urban in the calendar should have been beaten to death.
According to folk tradition, when the calendar was being made and the saints were given their places in it, Urban was in the tavern, getting drunk. When he finally got home, he asked where his name day had been put. When he found out it was in May, he lamented the fact that they did not put it in the middle of the winter, because then “he could have frozen the calf in the cow and the child in its mother.”
On Urban’s day, to ensure a bountiful harvest and protection of the vines, processions were held in many places, and people brought gifts to statues of Urban. As Marcell Jankovics describes in his book The Symbol Calendar (Jelkép-Kalendárium), when Urban brought good weather, records show that people were grateful to the saint, putting flowers on his statue, pouring wine on it, and putting fresh cherries in its chalice.
However, if the weather was not so favourable, they threw stones at Urban’s statue, spat on him, stomped on the statue, and even showed it their bare bottoms.
Sokszínűvidék.hu lists the following predictions regarding the weather for Urban’s Day:
The wine will be sour if the day is rainy, and sweet if the weather is clear.
If it rains on Urban’s Day, autumn will be rainy, but if the sun shines, it will be a long, sunny, pleasant autumn.
In some places, the chapel was decorated with green branches and flowers. After Mass, everyone took home some of the plants to protect their house from lightning strikes.
It was customary for the women to go through the house with brooms and chase out the cold.
If the day was rainy, the vine growers filled the wine bottles with rainwater to ensure that they would be full of wine in the autumn.
Across the globe, many Christian communities celebrate Saint George’s Day, most commonly on 23 April. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are a special case, as in these countries, Saint George’s Day falls on 24 April. In Hungary, this is the day animals were first put out to graze. It was also a potent time for witchcraft.
Who was Saint George?
Saint George’s Day was named after a military officer, also known as the Dragon-Slayer, in the Roman army in the third century who, according to legend, defeated the dragon that lived in a lake near the Libyan city of Silena and terrorised the people there. While the locals were so grateful for his heroism that they became baptised, due to his Christian faith, George was later imprisoned. In jail, Christ appeared to him and predicted the sufferings that he would have to endure.
Saint George died a martyr’s death. This is how he became the patron of knights, mounted soldiers, gunsmiths, belt walkers, travelling lads and scouts. Nowadays, in Hungary, the Day of the Police is also celebrated on Saint George’s Day, 24 April, as Saint George has become the patron saint of policemen.
Historically, many traditions are connected to the saint: this day was celebrated as a shepherd’s holiday and it was also considered to be the day of magic. Arcanum.hu collected the following Hungarian customs related to Saint George’s Day.
On Saint George’s Day, either a bountiful harvest or curses could befall people
In Hungarian folklore, the real beginning of spring starts on Saint George’s Day, due to which, many superstitions and customs were connected to this day with which the farmers tried to ensure the abundance of crops and the health of animals for the upcoming year.
On Saint George’s Day, the animals were put out to the pasture to graze for the first time in the year. For the animals to be healthy, to find ample grass and to have a good milk yield, the cattle were driven through chains, axes, ploughshares, eggs or the hostess’s apron for magical purposes.
On Saint George’s Day, it was also very important what type of stick the shepherds used to lead the animals out. In some places, they would cut sprigs of rosehip, lay it crosswise in the barn of the door and lead the animals through the door that way, so that witches would not be able to harm them. On the way to the pasture, the animals would be struck with the rosehip twigs so that they would have milk in abundance.
Hungarian folklore considered Saint George’s Day to be a suitable time for casting spells. Accordingly, many traditions on Saint George’s Day had to do with magical practices.
In the region of Hortobágy, the shepherds burned incense near the livestock on Saint George’s Day, as they believed that the smoke would prevent the animals from wandering away and would also cleanse them of any hexes.
People would also gather dew for various magical purposes, but mainly to ensure that cows would have plenty of milk. Hungarians would go out to the fields and collect dew on their clothes while also picking handfuls of grass. They would give the grass to the cows and then squeeze the dew from their damp clothes into milk pots to ensure that there would be lots of butter made from the milk of the animals.
As magic was potent on this day, according to folklore, this was also the time when witches would gather and hold their Sabbaths. To ward off evil spirits and scare the witches from entering their homes, people would put willow or birch twigs on their windowsills and in stables. They would also burn incense inside the milkmaids so that the witches could not spoil the milk yield with their hexes.
There were places where it was believed that if someone woke up after the Sabbath day and found that their gate had been carved into, it meant that the witches had put a curse on the house, taking away the milk of the animals.
Black cats and hexes – The history of witch hunts in Hungary
The practice of witch-hunting spread to Hungary from Western Europe, with the laws relating to witches often adopted from foreign lands. There were far fewer witch trials in Hungary than, for example, in Germany or the United States, but even so, at least a thousand cases took place, index.hu writes. Most often the accused were people who did not abandon their pre-Christian religious practices.
Most of them took place in Cluj, Debrecen, and the cities of Eastern Hungary. The most famous witch trial took place in Szeged, on 23 July in 1728, resulting in six men and six women being burned at the stake. The punishment was carried out on a strip of land outside the city, which to this day is called Witch-isle (Boszorkánysziget). The witches of Szeged were accused of selling the rain to the devil, which is why the area was hit by drought.
Other accusations in the Hungarian witch trials included consorting with Satan, participating in witches’ Sabbaths, flying, cannibalism, causing mutilation, sterility and impotence and making farm animals sick.
Balatonimuzeum.hu, for example, recalls this story that happened in a village near Lake Balaton: after an old woman said to have entered a barn in the form of a black cat, the cow refused to give any milk. The farmer who owned the cow beat the black cat. The next day the old woman had bruises all over her body: that’s how the people realised that she was a witch.
Witches were tried in several ways, for example with the fiery iron test, during which the accused had to hold a piece of iron heated up in a fire. Their hands were bandaged, and after three days the wounds were examined. If no burn marks were visible or the wounds started to heal, the person was declared innocent, but if their hand was wounded, then they were a witch.
We have already written about another day in Hungary closely connected to witchcraft: the 13th of December, “Luca’s Day”, the winter solstice before the advent of the Gregorian calendar.
On this day, they began to carve the three-legged Luca chair, which took 13 days to complete. On 26 December, the boys sneaked the chair into the midnight mass, and according to Hungarian folklore, whoever stood on it could spot if there was a witch in the crowd.
There is a common misconception that animated movies are just for children. Well, the Hungarian animators are here to debunk this notion. These masterpieces defy age limits, appealing to all generations. While they may lean towards the experimental, they might better be enjoyed by adults, but small ones can understand them just as well.
The rich history of Hungarian animation goes back more than a century, yet it wasn’t until the 1960s that it truly flourished as an art form. Situated in Central Europe, Hungarian animators drew inspiration from both Eastern and Western influences. This duality perhaps explains why Hungarian artists are often celebrated for their avant-garde style, a balance that evolved over time. The peak of animation occurred between the 1960s and 1980s, with artists exploring every facet of the craft, infusing depth and narrative into their work. Here, we present six of the most iconic Hungarian animated movies of all time.
Mattie the Goose Boy (Ludas Matyi)
Attila Dargay’s masterpiece, “Mattie the Goose Boy,” stands as one of his earlier works from 1977. Adapted from a 19th-century poem, this Hungarian animation movie follows the tale of a boy seeking revenge against a tyrannical lord who had previously beaten him. Accompanied by a silly yet helpful goose companion, Mattie navigates a world of mischief and redemption. A fun fact about the film is that it features another famous Hungarian since the soundtrack was composed by the renowned Hungarian maestro, Franz Liszt.
The fly (A légy)
A nominee for several awards and an Oscar winner, “The Fly” is an experimental short film crafted by Ferenc Rofusz. Devoid of dialogue or musical score, the film relies solely on sound effects to immerse viewers in the world of a fly. Through its unique perspective, “The Fly” showcases the boundless possibilities of animation.
The Little Fox (Vuk)
Directed by Attila Dargay and released in 1981, this Hungarian animation movie is another all-time classic. At first, it was released in segments, but after its massive success, the creators compiled it into a feature-length movie. The story revolves around Vuk, the little fox learning the ways of his kind. With its unforgettable theme song performed by Kati Wolf, “The Little Fox” has secured its place as an enduring icon of Hungarian culture.
Cat city (Macskafogó)
A quintessential Hungarian film, “Cat City” captivates audiences with its imaginative tale of feline domination. Directed by Béla Ternovszky, this dark comedy explores the power struggle between cats and mice, replete with occasional violent scenes and witty references to pop culture. Released in 1986, the film quickly endeared itself to viewers, earning a cherished spot in Hungarian cinematic history.
The tragedy of man (Az ember tragédiája)
This Hungarian animation movie took decades to make and was released in 2011. It stands as one of the longest animations ever produced, hence it has rightfully earned its place on our list. Marcell Jankovics, the director is one of the most talented Hungarian filmmakers. The book the script is based on draws inspiration from biblical narratives, featuring characters such as God, Lucifer, Adam and Eve. Through distinct animation styles, the film navigates timeless themes with enduring relevance.
The four souls of Coyote (Kojot négy lelke)
Representing a recent addition to Hungary’s animation canon, “The Four Souls of Coyote” addresses the pressing issue of environmental conservation. Rooted in Native American folklore, the film sheds light on the indigenous people’s struggle for ecological preservation. As Hungary’s entry for the Best International Film Oscar in 2024, this cinematic gem underscores the evolving landscape of social commentary in animation, as reported by filmarchiv.hu.
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Bidding farewell to the gray winter and welcoming the breath of spring can only be done in one right way, according to the inhabitants of Mohács. Come with us to witness the Busójárás!
More than seventy busó groups, meaning more than 2500 masked individuals, will participate in this year’s Busójárás. This is a record high number in recent history. The Busójárás is a traditional Hungarian event that takes place in Mohács. This well-known celebration will welcome spring, and say goodbye to the gray winter between 8 and 13 February this year.
The Busójárás
Mohács residents welcome guests every year with folklore shows, folk dance performances, dance workshops and busó presentations, all in a family-friendly manner. This year, they will offer over 160 heritage programmes. All in all, they expect around 110,000 visitors during the six days. On Saturday and Sunday, the city prepares for a good 40-45,000 visitors, Travelo writes.
The first day
Lasting from the last Thursday of the Carnival season (farsang) to Ash Wednesday, this event will be chuck-full with adventures of Hungarian folklore and culture. The first day will put the youth into the center of things. There will be many school folk dance groups, and entertaining competitions will take place that are sure to entice all the young souls out there.
What is more, Thursday will boast a dizzying dance workshop where you can even dance with the masked busós. During the day, you can enjoy a marching band, with busós everywhere and children participating in traditional Hungarian wear. During the whole event, the Southern-Slavic dance houses in the evening are all free. There will also be a group of wine stands installed to ensure a good mood.
Read more about another Hungarian specialty and the programme guide to it HERE
The second day
On Friday, the programme is going to be an exhibition. Not just any exhibition, but the one they will open explicitly for the Busójárás this year to spread knowledge of the history and culture of Mohács and as such, the Busójárás. The exhibition will feature carved masks of past busós and current-day carvers with other folk creators. There will be a number of folklore shows to choose from, like performances by bands at the Busóudvar and a dance house with Versendi Kovács and his band who are well-known masters of Croatian folklore dance. For the literature lovers, there will also be a book presentation, featuring an exciting book about Baranya’s Croatian costumes and their stories.
The third day
On Saturday, those interested can get a glimpse at the traditional way of making Sokac garments and the secrets surrounding it. For those who are keen on the arts, visiting the opening of the folk arts and crafts center is highly recommended. This same day, guests can enjoy tambourine orchestras and the performances of folk dance groups as well as presentations held by the busós. There will also be a wedding procession taking place, which is a lovely sight to watch in any weather.
The fourth day – Featured day
On Sunday, participants can sneak a peek at the preparations for the carnival and enjoy other activities such as a puppet concert, food tasting and other folk demonstrations. Sunday’s highlight will most definitely be the busós, who will get in their boats and row to the other side of the Danube, to Sokacrév. This will be followed by the largest procession of the folk tradition. What a sight it will be! Especially as an unprecedented number of busós are expected this year.
The last days – Featured day
Monday’s events are all very laid back. For the youngsters, there will be a children-centered carnival activity, which is engaging for all age groups, if we’re honest.
On Tuesday, the busós will start their well-known house visits around Kóló square and the surrounding streets. Naturally, there will be a parade too, and a closing ceremony for the whole carnival. The lighting of the giant bonfire symbolises the end of the winter and the coming of spring.
The elements of this winter-expelling, spring-welcoming folk tradition have remained unchanged for centuries, since the first recorded mention of the Busójárás dates back to 1783. Adults wearing shaggy busó coats, linen trousers and adorned with carved masks and distinctive accesories, such as bells and giant rattles, bid farewell to the harsh winter and welcomed spring.
Before turning to Christianity, the Hungarian nation had beliefs about mythical creatures and how the world worked. Although much of Hungarian mythology is lost, some sources feature mythical and legendary animals. Here are the most well-known mythical animals from Hungarian culture and what they symbolise.
The Wonder Stag
It is possible that the conquering Hungarians brought with them the eastern variation of the miraculous deer legend. Later, this legend was mixed with the Christian Hubertus legend. According to the Gesta Hungarorum, the Wonder Stag showed an area perfect for settlement to Hunor and Magor, from whom Hungarians originate. However, other versions of the story were born in some regions of Hungary.
According to one of them, the Wonder Stag has a thousand antlers and a thousand burning candles on the tips of them. Another version of the legend says that the Wonder Stag has the rising bright sun on its forehead, the moon on its side, and the stars on its right kidney. The miraculous stag has been symbolic to many Eurasian people and some North American Indian tribes. It symbolises the starry sky.
Turul
The Turul is one of the most popular national symbols of Hungarians. It is a mythological bird, and its appearance is close to that of a falcon. According to the Gesta Hungarorum, the Turul showed a vision to Emese in her dream, where she was pregnant. The Turul also played a prominent role in the legend of the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin.
The Turul protected and showed the way to Hungarians who set out to look for Attila’s land. During the reigns of Álmos and Árpád, the Turul symbolised the defence of the homeland. Thus, it was a popular symbol in the Second World War as well. It was often chosen as a decorative element of monuments to the fallen ones in the war. It is the symbol of commitment and nation.
White Horse
Ancient Hungarians considered the white horse a sacred animal. The legend of the white horse is one of the legends that originated around the time of the conquest of Hungary. Árpád and his nobles heard of a land that had a great river and wealth. They sent out a messenger, Kusid, to survey the land. When he arrived, he was amazed by the pleasant landscape and the fertile land. He went to the ruler of the province, Svatopluk, and told him about the Hungarians’ intentions. The ruler was delighted, as he thought the Hungarians were peasants who wanted to cultivate the land.
Kushid took some water from the Danube and some earth to show his people. They all agreed that it was the best they had ever seen, thus they sent Kusid back with a white horse and a gilded saddle. He gifted it to Svatopluk, who in return told him to have as much land as Hungarians wanted. To his surprise, Hungarians returned with seven generals, led by Árpád, to claim the land. Svatlopuk gathered an army, but he was defeated. He was pursued to the Danube by Hungarians, and he jumped into the river and drowned.
The griffin
The griffin is part of numerous mythological stories of various nations. It is usually portrayed as a mixture of a bird of prey and a lion. It nests on the top of a mountain or a giant tree and is the enemy of the dragon from whom the hero of the legends protects the griffin’s young. At the end of each legend, the hero wins the griffin’s gratitude. The griffin also appears in Hungarian folk art as a large, wonderful, protective creature. In some versions of the tale of the White Horse that was mentioned above, the mythical griffin appears as well.
Everybody knows of dragons. But did you know Hungary also boasts quite a few of them?
It’s common knowledge that a dragon can fly, spit fire and likes to hoard treasure. That’s the traditional view of these mythological beasts. However, the Hungarian dragons had their own unique quirks. Arriving in whirlwinds, they weren’t ones to hide their anger issues. Thunderstorms? Oh, just the sounds of their raging, no biggie. They were agents of chaos, and once the Christians gained influence, they quickly became viewed as the helpers of Satan. Villains for centuries, these dragons were no bedtime story material. Thus, it was advisable to steer clear of them as much as possible. Luckily, the numerous Hungarian folk stories gave some pointers of where these dragons liked to dwell. Let’s dive into the tales of these fire-breathing monsters, shall we?
The dragon of the Bakony, also known as the Balaton legend
Once upon a time, there was a 24-headed dragon living in the dark, dense forests of the Bakony, terrorising the locals on a daily basis. It had a insatiable appetite for innocent young beauties, and the terrified locals helplessly let it snack on their daughters and wives. When the dragon set its sights on Balaton’s bride, the Bakony’s strongest lad, he wasn’t having it. He was determined to keep his beloved safe, so the couple hid in the forest to outsmart the beast. The dragon huffed and puffed angrily while scratching the earth with its razor-sharp claws, resulting in a new spring that erupted from beneath. Within a day, it miraculously swelled into a deep lake. In a heroic battle with the menace, Balaton went of chopping off heads after heads. On the last day, when Balaton managed to cut the last head off, he was mortally wounded and died along his foe. In his honour, the locals named the deep lake after him, and to this day, it’s called Lake Balaton.
The dragon of the swamp of Ecsed, also known as the legend of the Báthori family
Back in the times of yore, in the murky swamps of Ecsed, there dwelled a dragon so deep in the water that even the bravest knights dared not venture. The locals were terrorised, and no rope could fathom the depths where the creature lurked. Enter Vid, a valiant knight hailing from the Gutkeled clan, who decided to take matters into his own hands and put an end to the scaly menace.
With mace in hand, Vid descended into the eerie swamp, ready to face the dragon’s tyranny. A fierce battle ensued, echoing through the swampy abyss. Against all odds, Vid emerged victorious, proudly claiming three teeth from the defeated dragon. These trophies found their place in the illustrious coat of arms of the Báthori family, forever commemorating the heroics that rid Ecsed of its fearsome aquatic overlord.
The dragon of the Mecsek, or the legend of the Dragonwell
To this day, there is still a mystery surrounding the lovely Dragonwell of the Mecsek. Legend has it when the Mecsek was scarcely inhabited, a menacing dragon enjoyed tormenting the locals. Luckily, the frightful days were cut short, not by a gallant knight, but by its own inept hunting skills. On the third day of its unsuccessful hunt, the dragon had lost most of its power and crawled into its cave, where it fell into a deep sleep. While the dragon was in oblivion, there came a terrible storm that was so great it moved mountains. That’s how the entrance of the dragon’s cave got blocked by a huge boulder, trapping the starving beast inside. Now, every time the dragon awakes, it bathes in the cave’s rock pool, unleashing a torrent of freshwater that transforms into the famed Dragonwell. Scientists have tried studying the phases of this water source with little success, writes origo.hu. Surprisingly, the Dragonwell’s water levels seem indifferent to the weather, hinting at a peculiar individual behaviour.
As the Dragonwell continues to defy explanation, its enigmatic nature persists, leaving us to marvel at the magical intersection of myth and reality in the heart of the Mecsek.
Summerfest, an international folklore festival held in Százhalombatta, south of Budapest, will get under way on Saturday, organisers told MTI.
The highlights of the week-long progamme’s 200 events will include shows by seven folk groups as well as seven theatrical performances from countries including Brazil, North Macedonia, Croatia, India, Poland, Serbia, and Senegal.
Over the course of the festival’s 30 years, nearly 50,000 participants from 112 countries have participated in events held in Százhalombatta, Tököl, Ráckeve, Szigetszentmiklós, and Dunavarsány.
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.
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.
One of the weirdest but most fun (well, at least for the chaps) Hungarian Easter traditions is locsolkodás, which can be loosely translated as ‘sprinkling the womenfolk’. At this time of the year, the young lads of the village, armed with their grandmas’ stenchiest patchouli perfumes, or in the less fortunate case a bucket of ice-cold water, go from door to door to sprinkle the girls and their female relatives. Of course, there is some foreplay prior to the act, as usually, they say a little poem, a so-called sprinkling rhyme. In return, they receive traditionally painted eggs, candies, a couple of coins and often a shot of pálinka too. More often than not, they are pretty hammered by the time they reach the last house of the village. There are various types of sprinkling rhymes, from cute and funny to raunchy and politically incorrect. In this post, we thought to gather a couple of them with English translation so you can get a little sense of Hungarian humour and creativity. Enjoy!
Just when you’re wondering whether winter would last forever this year, spring is here to drive out the last gloomy trace of the frosty season. The snow is melting, trees are blossoming and the days are getting longer and sunnier. That’s enough reason to celebrate, isn’t it? Curious how Hungarians welcome the blooming new season? Take a look at some of the local spring traditions and customs.
1 April – April Fools’ Day
The strange custom of playing pranks on the 1st of April is a widespread practice all over the world, including in Hungary. Back in the day, people in the villages would send little notes to each other, later saying it was delivered to the wrong person and giving a false address. There are numerous folk rhymes linked to April Fools’ Day, of which, one goes like this: “Áprilisnak bolondja, felmászott a toronyba, azt kérdezte hány óra, fél tizenkettő, bolond mind a kettő”. (April’s fool climbed up to the clock tower to ask about the time. The other answered him that it was half past eleven. Both of them were fools).
6 April – Irén’s Day
In the old times, people didn’t have the means to predict the weather, therefore, they came up with weather lore sayings that were commonly linked to specific name days in the calendar. Farmers often turned to these folk forecasts to know what to expect that year. According to kukkonia.sk, on Irén’s Day, if it rained, Hungarians feared that it indicated a poor harvest.
Gyula’s Day (equivalent to English Julius) falls on the 100th day of the year. It is traditionally considered the day of cleanliness. Residents of the villages would thoroughly clean and tidy their homes, including the barns. In some houses, they would even wash the farm animals. There are many weird and amusing spring traditions connected to this day, one of them is doing somersaults in the melon fields. The higher the somersault, the bigger the melons would grow, according to folk belief. Women would also come to the fields to dance and twirl around wearing traditional layered skirts. The bigger the twirl, the larger melons can be harvested.
16 April – White Sunday
White Sunday is considered the closing date of the Easter season, as it falls on the 8th day following Holy Saturday. It was named after the newly baptised who were finally allowed to remove the white garment they had to wear for a week after the Holy Saturday ceremony. It is also considered the day of friendship between unmarried girls and young lads in the villages, who would send each other so-called “friendship baskets”, filled with fruit, wine, painted eggs and sweet pastry.
In some regions in Hungary, as part of the spring traditions, those women who married during the Easter season would attend the Sunday mass wearing their wedding gown, without their veil and wreath though.
24 April – György’s Day spring traditions
György’s Day is associated with a number of spring traditions that mark the beginning of the year. This is the time when the herdsmen first take out the cattle to graze, which used to be associated with various practices of witchcraft, warding off evil spirits and increasing reproduction and milk yield. The animals were beaten with birch twigs, driven on chains, axes, ploughshares, fires, the farmer’s wife’s apron turned inside out and garlic garlands tied around their necks. The house, the barn and the stables were protected from evil spirits by burning incense around them, putting up green branches and turning up brooms.
The girls washed their faces with “the holy pearls of dew” collected in the morning to make them beautiful. The herbs gathered on St György‘s night were said to have magical power, and the ‘charming’ old women who gathered them saw the witches on their way to Gellért Hill. György’s Day was also ideal for sowing beans, which was regarded as a superstitious plant. The beans shaken through a sieve were used to read out thieves and those who wanted to poison the livestock or mess up lovers’ affairs. In the city of Eger, people would wear small bags filled with beans around their necks or keep some pieces in their pockets to ward off evil.
25 April – Márk and Pál’s Day
It is traditionally a corn sowing and wheat harvest day. After mass, the priest and the people went out to the border of the village and blessed the corn. Everyone took some of the blessed corn home, which was said to bring good fortune. This consecrated wheat was believed to have magical properties and was also used to ward off evil. In some regions, this sacred wheat was used to make a wreath, which was placed on church banners and crosses, and after eight days it was removed and placed in the four corners of the field to protect it from hail and frost. But it was also placed under the head of the sick for healing. Or it was put in the leaven with the dew on St. György‘‘s Day to make the bread rise nicely. This was the day to sow the cucumbers. During the procession on St Márk’s Day, women used to put cucumber seeds in their pockets to make them holy. It was believed that this would give an early and abundant harvest.
According to local folklore, “if it rains on St Márk’s Day, the cellar and barn will be full.” It was also prophesied that if a crow could hide in the field on this day, there would be a good harvest.
The history of Hungarian folk costumes and dress traditions go back centuries. Folk costumes are not only important part of the Hungarians’ history but also symbolise the Hungarian traditions.
Traditional Hungarian folk costumes
Men’s clothing was predominantly characterised by decorated shirts, brimmed hats and trousers tucked into leather boots, writes magyarorszagom.hu. Men also wore vests, jackets and – in colder times – fur coats. Traditional Hungarian women’s clothing is spectacularly decorated aprons or waistcoats pulled over a white shirt. White, densely decorated, colorful skirts were also common among women, as were equally ornate headscarves.
The basic elements of the Hungarian national costume can be considered to be the simple and in most cases home-made pieces of clothing. These include shirts made of linen, trousers, skirts, aprons, belts, cowhides, leather vests, ect.
Folk Dance. Photo: Facebook/Kapuvár Néptáncegyüttes
Folk costumes of the Great Hungarian Plain
The old costumes of Debrecen, Nagykőrös, Kecskemét, as well as the Jászkun and Hajdú regions belong to this type of folk costumes. Since animal breeding was one of the main crafts of the Hungarians, the basis of many men’s clothing was the everyday wear of simple shepherds or other trades dealing with farm animals. The clothes consisted of shirts, trousers, waistcoat, brimmed hats, boots and, in colder weather, some kind of outerwear (such as fur coats). Shirts and trousers were usually loose fitting and made of white linen, while white shirts and trousers were often decorated with embroidered motifs. On their heads, the men wore felt hats with a high folded back brim, also with fur, writes mek.oszk.hu.
In many regions of Transdanubia, clothing was colourless and relatively featureless. In return for their wages, the manor bought the simple pieces of clothing for the servants of the manorial majorities. In addition, however, Transdanubia can be found in an almost extreme form of new-style colorful peasant clothing and long-preserved old-style archaic costumes. Vests were at first very short and did not even fully cover the waist. However, their longer versions became widespread from the middle of the 20th century. Hungarians wore linen pants as everyday wear, and they wore wider versions for festive occasions. The trousers were also embroidered, and the bottom of their legs were decorated with frills.
Transylvanian Hungarian folk clothing
One of the most important characteristics of the Transylvanian folk costumes is that the western influence did not really reach this far, so quite unique designs could develop here. The men’s shirt was surrounded by a wide belt made of leather, called a thimble or follicle. Furthermore, the original Transylvanian shirts were loose and had neither collars nor cuffs. Men made tight trousers from home-made fabrics, and later from factory materials. Interestingly, Transylvanian Hungarians divided their clothes based on colour. The young women working in the fields in bright red skirts separated from the older ones in dark skirts. As for men, their shirts of the younger ones were tied together in red, and of the older in black.
If you have ever had the chance to visit Hungary in gloomy February and take part in the widely popular Hungarian Carnival festivities, you already know what a special vibe it has with lots of freaky people dancing in weird costumes as if there was no tomorrow. However, if you are new to these fascinating winter farewell activities, we will give a little glimpse of them as well as tell you some rare Hungarian Carnival traditions to get into the festive mood.
The core of festive merrymaking
In terms of folklore traditions and customs, the main activities of the Hungarian Carnival season take place on the following three days: Carnival Sunday, Carnival Monday and No Meat Tuesday, which are often referred to as Farsang farka (“tail of the Carnival”). During these closing days of the winter farewell activities, locals toss all inhibitions out of the window and pour don’t the streets for a never-ending parade. Women in the Balaton region, for example, even dress up in man clothes and act like chaps the entire day.
Even though Carnival has pagan roots, it is strongly tied to Christian religious holidays as it precedes the Lent phase of Easter. Feast Thursday, which comes after Ash Wednesday, has special importance in Hungary as people finally let go of all the restrictions and scoff down whatever food was left after the Carnival festivities.
The world-famous Hungarian Carnival tradition of the native South-SlavicŠokac population in Mohács attracts large flocks of tourists every year. Each February, this historic southern Hungarian town is taken over with mayhem, revelry and endless, but endless, celebration and culinary enjoyment. Men, called the busók, wearing handmade, carved and painted masks and heavy woolly cloaks arrive in row boats on the shores of the River Danube for a noisy march through the city. Needless to say, the 6-day parade also involves a great deal of dancing, folk music and alcohol.
According to folk hearsay, the origin of these weird yet wonderful festivities dates back to the times when the locals successfully fought back the Ottoman army that wanted to invade Mohács. The Buso-walking festival has become so popular over the years that it has even earned its place on the UNESCO list in 2009.
Hungarian Carnival lore
Hungarian folklore includes countless superstitions and traditional beliefs that are linked to the Hungarian Carnival season. The day of Balázs, on 3 February, marks an important date of the winter festivities. Locals believe whatever activities one engages in on this day will have significant implications for that person’s health and fortune throughout the coming months. Balázs walking is a common and still existing tradition, during which school teachers walk around the villages with their pupils singing good wishes to the residents and collecting donations for the school. These marches are meant to honour Bishop Balázs (Saint Blaise) who was known for bringing relief to people who frequently came down with tonsillitis. Up to this day, locals tend to bless roast apple peels and feed them to the ill in the hope of their quick recovery. Winegrowers also visit their vineyards on Balázs Day to prune a piece of vine grape at each of the four corners of their field in the bid to please their patron saint who will hopefully protect their grapes from bird attacks and bless them with a fruitful harvest.
Whether one believes in superstitions or not, they influence our lives subconsciously. They reflect the country’s history, culture and customs. Here are some Hungarian superstitions that are widely known – some of which are funny, strange or even scary!
Superstitions about bad luck
In Hungary, when a black cat is crossing your path, you will feel uncomfortable. However, this has nothing to do with Hungarian people not liking cats. According to a superstition, if a black cat crosses someone’s path, the person will be unlucky. In addition, killing a spider, walking under a ladder or 13 Friday mean bad luck, too, writes budapestrivercruise.eu. There are also some beliefs about weddings. If the fiancé sees the bride’s wedding dress before the ceremony, the marriage will be sad and misfortunate.
Although many supersitions are about bad luck, there are some positive supersitions, too. For example, if you come across a wedding ceremony, you will be lucky in love. Futhermore, the tradition of Luca’s chair is a quite common belief in Hungary. According this myth, the maker of the chair took it to the midnight mass and if they sat on the chair, they could see who the witches were. Another typical superstition is when somebody puts his clothes upside-down, which also means good luck.
The New Year’s Eve superstitions suggest that the first day of the year will determine the rest of the year. That is why some superstitions are strongly connected to New Year’s Eve. For example, Hungarians are careful about what they eat on this specific day. It is generally accepted that poultry should not be eaten on New Year’s Day, writes shuttlesfrombudapest.com. Regarding fish, there are controversies. On the one hand, some superstitions suggest that it is forbidden to eat fish because it swims away with one’s luck. On the other hand, some say that you can eat fish on the first day of the New Year, just start at the tail.
Hungarian folk superstitions
In Hungarian folklore, for 7 years, luck avoids a house in which a mirror is broken. The person who broke the window will not get married for 7 years. Another folk superstition is in connection with eggs. If we accidentally drop an egg and it breaks, then we hear good news, but if it is undamaged or just cracks, then bad news is expected, writes sokszinuvidek.24.hu. Hungarians tend to have superstitios beliefs about food. For example, accidentally spilled salt causes anger or minor quarrels, but if the wine accidentally spills, it is considered a favourable sign.
A cold wind howls, stripping leaves off of the trees, and we wrap ourselves in knits up until our chin to keep warm. It is time to admit that winter is here, and it is here to stay for a good while. For this occasion, let’s have a look at the most important Hungarian winter traditions and see how our ancestors kept themselves entertained during these chilly and unpleasant months. If you are interested, check out the first part of this series HERE.
Little Saints’ Day (28 December)
This day marks one of the most bizarre Hungarian cultural practices. On Little Saints’ Day, young men would go around the villages and pass by every house where unmarried girls and future brides lived. According to this Hungarian winter tradition, they carried a whip made of twigs and gave a couple of tender lashes to each girl so they would grow into healthy and beautiful women. In Győr-Sopron County, this custom was linked to the inauguration of teenage boys. In order to make the physical punishment more pleasant, the young men sang lovely, old-fashioned folk songs while whipping the girls. In exchange, the girls tied a ribbon on each guy’s whip while their mothers handed over neatly wrapped meat to the singers. Once their job was done, the lads returned to the local pub where they cooked the meat outdoors. This very meat was served at the inauguration dinner which was strictly attended by males.
By the end of the ceremony, most young men were pretty drunk, however, the festivities were not over yet. The newly inaugurated men were then sent to the houses of unmarried girls where they were taken care of by the women of the household. This last part meant the closing point of their young foolish years and helped them enter a more mature chapter in their lives.
The last day of the year was not always celebrated on 31 December as it is today. This tradition most probably originated from the Roman Empire and spread all across Europe along with the solar calendar. However, it took some centuries for people to accept this new chronology. According to anthropologists, the ancient Hungarian conquerors must have counted the new year from the beginning of autumn or spring. Our ancestors had the firm belief that whatever they did on the first day of the year determined their next twelve months. Therefore, they set the tone for the new year with lots of noisy celebrations, hoping that the rest of the year will be equally fun and carefree. Marching along the village with cowbells was a common way to make lots of noise, and thus, chase away evil spirits.
Future telling was also a beloved Hungarian winter tradition at this time of the year. Young unmarried girls would make a so-called garlic calendar: they would sprinkle salt on twelve cloves and the ones that got damp by the next day indicated the months with the most rain or snow. In other regions, people would pour hot lead in cold water on New Year’s Eve and from the shape the material took once it hardened, they would try to make predictions for the future. In families with girls, women would write different male names on pieces of paper and then tuck them in dumplings and put them in boiling water. The first dumpling that came to the surface revealed the name of the young girl’s future husband.
Epiphany (6 January)
On the day of Epiphany, priests would walk around the villages and collect handouts. It was a common Hungarian winter tradition, already practiced in the 15th century. In exchange for money or food, they would bless the family and write the initial letters of the names of the three kings who visited Jesus after his birth.
Carnival Season
The Carnival season began on the day of Epiphany and lasted until Ash Wednesday, the end of February. According to inf.u-szeged.hu, the first Carnival references date back to the 15th century. Men and women would swap their clothes or wear animal-inspired masks while marching along the villages singing and making lots of noise. The rich and poor would both take part in these fun activities. Already in the time of Matthias Corvinus, the king and his wife were known to receive elaborately detailed masks from Elizabeth’s Italian relatives. The Busó festivities in the southwestern city of Mohács are important end-of-winter carnival customs. The busós are scary-looking men wearing wooden masks and woolly cloaks. They would march through the town alongside horse-drawn fantasy vehicles and burn coffins that symbolised the winter season. This Hungarian winter tradition originated with the Croatian minority living in Mohács but nowadays it is considered a great emblem of the city.
Short theatrical plays, funeral games and mock-up weddings were also common amidst the carnival festivities. Log-pulling or pinewood weddings were common folk traditions at this time of the year. It was basically a parody of real weddings and aimed to draw attention to the importance of getting married and remind the youth to find a suitable partner before they got too old.
However, the carnival season did not mean fun for everyone. At the end of the celebrations, young men would gather together and make noise with tins and yell obscene remarks under the windows of unmarried girls who did not find a husband that year.