Turkey has a rich cultural heritage full of unique rituals practices and superstitions meant to bring good fortune and ward off bad luck. Many of these traditions date back centuries and are still followed today. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular Turkish rituals believed to attract prosperity, blessings, and positive energy.
Pouring Water for Safe Travels
One of the best-known rituals in Turkey involves pouring water behind someone who is about to embark on a journey. This practice traces back to ancient times and is meant to ensure smooth travels for the departing person.
As the traveler leaves, a family member will fill a cup with water and sprinkle or splash it out the door and onto the ground behind them The water is a symbol of fluidity and ease. Turks believe that just as water flows smoothly, so too will the travels of the person who has just left
Some also recite a short prayer asking for protection during the journey as they pour the water. This meaningful ritual is highly ingrained in Turkish culture and continues to be practiced today, especially when loved ones are headed out on long or distant trips.
Hanging a Lemon and Chili Pepper
Another common Turkish superstition involves hanging a lemon and chili pepper by the front door to attract good luck and prosperity.
The chili pepper is believed to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. The lemon represents gold and riches. Together, these items are said to create an auspicious environment and invite fortune into the home when displayed at the entrance.
For this tradition, a lemon and red chili pepper are tied together and suspended from a string over the front door. As the lemon dries over time, it takes on a golden hue. The drying and color change are thought to draw in ongoing prosperity and gold-like wealth.
Tying a Red Ribbon
Tying a red ribbon is an old mystical ritual thought to fend off curses and attract vibrant positive energy.
In Turkey, new homeowners will often adhere a red ribbon to the front door upon moving in. This is believed to bless the home, ward off jealous gazes, and prevent misfortune from entering.
The red color symbolizes power, vitality, strength, and good luck. As the ribbon flutters in the wind over the door, it stands as an ongoing protective force and luck charm for all who dwell within. This meaningful Turkish custom is still upheld today to invite fortune and keep negativity at bay.
Burning Dried Orange Peels
Burning dried orange peels is an ancient Turkish practice intended to cleanse a space and allow prosperity to flow freely.
Oranges represent wealth, success, and abundance. By burning the dried peels, it is thought to activate the orange’s prosperous essence and allow it to permeate the surrounding environment.
To perform this ritual, orange peels are left to dry out completely in a warm sunny spot for several days. Once dried, they are placed in an ash tray or fire-safe bowl to be burned. As the aromatic smoke and oils are released, they are believed to promote blessings, fortune, and positive energy throughout the home or workspace.
Melting Lead
Melting lead is a mystical Turkish ritual performed to get rid of curses, hexes, or the so-called “evil eye”. It dates back centuries and involves melting a piece of lead over the affected person and then quickly pouring the melted lead into cold water.
As the lead rapidly cools and solidifies in the water, it forms random shapes. The shapes are then interpreted, usually by an elder ritual specialist, to decipher the nature of the affliction. The solidified lead is considered to have absorbed the negative energy. It can then be buried or disposed of, carrying the curse or hex away with it.
This practice is mostly done in rural villages and may be preceded by prayers and chanting. While not as common today, it remains a meaningful tradition for combatting perceived evil spells and energies.
Lighting Candles and Lamps
The ancient practice of lighting candles and oil lamps has long signified enlightenment, light, and radiance in Turkish culture. This beautiful ritual is done to invite clarity, wisdom, positive energy, and good fortune.
Oil lamps are gently flickered to life, while candles are set aglow through an intentional process accompanied by prayers or intention-setting. Lighting them is believed to activate and amplify their prosperous, luck-drawing properties. The lit candles and lamps can be arranged throughout a home or sacred space.
Turks may especially perform this ritual on holy days or nights, at the opening of a new business, upon moving into a new home, or before an important event. The lights represent the dispelling of darkness and the awakening of good luck.
What Ritual Should You Try?
From hanging chilies to burning oranges, Turkey has no shortage of fascinating rituals and customs meant to beckon good luck and prosperity. If you find yourself drawn to a particular tradition, consider giving it a try! Just as Turks have done for ages, you can incorporate small intentional practices into your daily life to invite in fortune and blessings in a meaningful way.
A tell-all: the markings in kilims
Did you know that the colorful designs of kilim rugs are made up of motifs that actually have meaning? That’s right, that antique rug in your living room is most likely telling a very specific story, literally woven by the person who made it. The motifs in kilims in Turkey can have multiple meanings ranging from protective eye designs to bring luck, ry of eagles to display power and strength, hands and forks represent productivity while flowers reflect prosperity to name a few. There are two, however, that are designed purposefully woven to express the weavers personal openness to the notion of marriage. Its true, young female weavers will incorporate either a “hair tye” (in Turkish saç bağı) or an “earring” (küpe) into their design to express their readiness and willingness to tie the knot. Early 19th-century hand-woven kilim from western Anatolia. (Corbis via Getty s)
Meet your soul mate in your dreams
First and foremost, did you know that there is a belief that it is possible to see your future partner in your dreams, even if you have never met before? To do so is easy, you just need to follow a couple of rules. First, you must sleep somewhere that you have never slept before. Secondly, you must place the key to the home, or room, that you are staying in under your pillow. Supposedly after following these two steps, you will catch a glimpse of your future spouse in your dreams. Lets just hope you remember the vision in the morning. One Turkish superstition about seeing your soulmate in your dreams involves a key. (Photo by Leyla Yvonne Ergil)
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