Many Bulgarian customs and traditions go back to pagan times whilst others have their roots in Christianity. Most deal with the life cycle and the four seasons. Bulgarians devote certain days of the year to honour their past and participate in certain rituals that are not only interesting but also pleasurable as well.

There is a belief that goes back to Thracian times that when a woman is pregnant she must keep it a secret during the early stages less she should lose the baby. For a safe delivery the story has it that she should not kill a snake, kick a cat or dog and not eat rabbit meat. Another old custom is that a bride goes through the ritual of having her hair combed over her shoulders for an hour before her wedding because when she enters matrimony it must be forever covered or combed up.

Since early Christian times their has been the tradition of Bulgarians celebrating their name days. Most Bulgarians are named after a saint. So when it is a certain saints day that corresponds with yours there is a big celebration and all your family enjoy a meal together, for some Bulgarians name days are more important than birthdays.

Perhaps the most important custom and the one that is very noticeable has to be 'Baba Marta' which occurs on the 1st march and concerns itself with the coming of the warm weather. White and red tassles are exchanged to wish each other good health and happiness and are usually worn on the wrist and are not to be taken off until you are able see a stork or a blossoming tree. The white represents the purity of snow and the red the setting of the sun and both signify the spirit of nature in relation to the male and female.

If you are on holiday in Bulgaria you may be able to see a custom which centres around Bourgas. A fire dance is performed and their is supposed to be a spiritual connection with a bare foot dancer and a particular saint which then enables the dancer to predict the future. To achieve this higher state the dancer has to dance on hot embers. It must be great to watch but definitely not a custom you would want to practice.