Welcome to Russia, a land where the winters are long, the history is deep, and the superstitions are powerful! Russian folk beliefs, known as “primety”, are a fascinating mix of ancient Slavic paganism and the deep traditions of Orthodox Christianity. These primety aren’t just quaint stories; they are practical, daily rules designed to keep you safe from mischievous house spirits like the Domovyk, ward off bad luck, and bring fortune to the home. If you want to live peacefully, you need to know the rules — especially about whistling indoors and shaking hands across a threshold! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Russian beliefs.
Protecting the Home and Family
The Whistling Taboo
Never, under any circumstances, whistle indoors! Russians believe whistling inside will cause you to whistle away all your money and financial luck.
Shaking Hands Across the Threshold
Never greet or say goodbye to anyone, or hand anything over, across the threshold of a door. It’s considered extremely bad luck and may lead to an argument. Step in or step out first!
Bag on the Floor
Similar to Brazil, placing your purse, bag, or wallet on the floor is a quick way to lose money. Your money won’t know where to return.
The Empty Bucket
If you see someone carrying an empty bucket (or similar container), it’s a very bad omen. Turn around or spit over your shoulder three times.
Pouring Backwards
Always pour the first drink of a bottle toward yourself, not away from you. Pouring away from you means you are pushing away your luck.
Keys on the Table
Leaving keys on a dining table or kitchen counter is believed to bring bad financial luck and can lead to quarrels in the home.
The House Spirit (Domovyk)
The Domovyk is the benevolent, hairy house spirit. You must always leave him a small offering (like bread and milk) to keep him happy and keep the house protected.
The First Visitor
When moving into a new home, you must let a cat enter first. The cat absorbs all the negative energy and gives the Domovyk a new friend.
Eating from a Knife
Never eat directly off a knife! It will make you angry, cruel, or a generally unpleasant person.
Spilling Water
Spilling water accidentally is good luck! It is a sign that a major trouble or obstacle will soon be washed away from your life.
Leaving a Spoon
Leaving a spoon or ladle stuck in a pot overnight means you will have a poor harvest or run out of food quickly.
Finding a Bird Feather
Finding a feather on the ground is a blessing from an angel or a good spirit. Keep it safe as a charm against bad luck.
Bringing Garbage In
You should never take the trash out after sunset, but bringing someone else’s trash into your house is seen as taking on their misfortunes.
Dropping the Ring
If the wedding ring is dropped during the ceremony, it is a very bad omen, suggesting the marriage may end badly or be short-lived.
Sitting Before Traveling
Before a long trip, the entire family must sit down silently for a few moments. This is to ensure a safe journey and calm the spirits before departure.
Bird Tapping the Window
If a bird taps or flies into your window, it is delivering sad news or a death omen. It’s often associated with a soul trying to get inside.
Sewing on Yourself
Do not sew a button or fix a tear while wearing the garment. It is believed you are “sewing up” your memory or good fortune.
The Moon and Sleep
Do not let moonlight fall directly on the face of a sleeping person, especially a child. It can drain their energy or even bring illness.
Looking into a Broken Mirror
Breaking a mirror is seven years of bad luck, but even looking at your reflection in a cracked mirror is bad—it splits your soul or life force.
Passing Money After Sunset
Avoid counting money, paying debts, or borrowing money once the sun has set. It is believed to bring financial trouble.
Omens and Fortune Telling
Black Cat Crossing
If a black cat crosses your path, stop immediately! You must let someone else cross first, or take three steps backward and spit over your left shoulder.
Biting Your Tongue
If you accidentally bite your tongue, it means that someone was just telling a big lie about you.
Finding a Spider
Finding a spider in the house, especially a small one, is a sign of impending good news or money coming your way.
Burning Ears
If your ears are suddenly burning, someone is talking about you. A burning left ear means they are saying bad things; a burning right ear means they are saying good things.
Itchy Nose
A tingling or itchy nose means that you will either be getting good news or, more likely, you are about to get into a fight!
Rain on a Wedding Day
Contrary to some cultures, rain on a wedding day is actually a good sign! It’s seen as a blessing of wealth and fertility for the couple.
Fallen Icon (Ikon)
If a religious icon or picture falls off the wall, it’s a terrifying omen of a major calamity or tragedy coming to the family.
Finding a Double Yolk
If you crack an egg and find a double yolk, it’s a very clear sign that you will soon get married or that a new baby is on the way.
Lost Cross
Losing your baptismal cross or religious necklace is considered a very serious warning—it means you have lost your protection.
Ringing in the Ears
A bell-like ringing in your ears means someone is thinking of you. If you can guess the person, the ringing will stop.
Spilled Salt
Spilling salt causes a fight (or bad luck). To fix it, you must immediately laugh, hit your head gently on the table, and throw a pinch over your left shoulder.
Stepping on Someone’s Foot
If you accidentally step on someone’s foot, they must step back on yours immediately. If they don’t, you will get into a serious fight.
Ladybug Landing
If a ladybug lands on you, count the spots on its back. That is how many happy months you have ahead of you.
Not Looking Back
When leaving a funeral or a graveyard, you must never look back at the site. It is believed the spirit might follow you home.
A Gift of Knives
Never give a knife or a sharp object as a gift. It is believed to bring arguments or break relationships. If you must, ask the recipient for a small coin in return.
Swallowing a Spider
If you accidentally swallow a spider, it’s believed to give you a secret talent or gift.
Giving an Empty Wallet
If you gift someone a wallet or a purse, you must place a coin inside first. Gifting an empty one will bring the recipient poverty.
Closed Toilet Lid
Always keep the toilet lid and bathroom door closed. It prevents money and prosperity from being “flushed out” of the house.
Clinking Glasses
When clinking glasses during a toast, you must make eye contact with every person you clink with. Failing to do so will bring bad luck in love or sex for seven years.
Seeing a Rainbow
Seeing a rainbow is a great sign of hope, but pointing at it is bad luck. If you must show someone, point with your lips or chin.
Pregnancy and Children
No Early Baby Clothes
Do not buy baby clothes, toys, or furniture until the baby is born. Buying things too early is believed to invite a miscarriage or the attention of evil spirits.
Hiding the Pregnancy
A pregnant woman should try to hide her pregnancy for as long as possible. Showing the belly too early can draw the evil eye to the unborn child.
Mirror and Pregnant Women
A pregnant woman should avoid looking at herself in the mirror at night, as it can be a gateway for dark forces to approach the baby.
The First Haircut
A child should not have their first haircut until they are at least one year old; otherwise, their life will be cut short or they will be unlucky.
No Complimenting Babies
When praising a baby, you must immediately add, “Tfu, tfu, tfu!” (spitting sound) to ward off the evil eye, similar to the Turkish custom.
Lost Baby Teeth
The lost baby tooth should be thrown into a stove or a dark corner for a mouse to find, so the child can grow a strong, straight new one.
Walking on the Floor
You should never let a baby step on the floor or ground before they are fully walking. It is believed to cause them to be ill or unstable.
No Namesake
It is very bad luck to name a child after a living relative, especially a grandparent. It is thought to “steal” the life force of the older person.
Post-Baptism Water
The water used for a child’s baptism must be immediately poured outside where people don’t walk, to protect the child’s spirit.
Birthday Beforehand
Never celebrate a birthday before the actual date. It’s believed to bring misfortune and may “jinx” the rest of the person’s year.
Everyday Actions and Travel
Turning Back
If you leave the house and realize you forgot something, do not turn back! If you absolutely must, look in the mirror before leaving again.
Sitting on a Cold Surface
Don’t sit on a cold bench or floor, especially for women! It’s believed to cause illness or even infertility.
Picking Up Loose Coins
Never pick up a loose coin from the ground, especially at a crossroads. It’s believed that along with the coin, you pick up someone else’s trouble or misfortune.
Putting Clothes on Inside Out
If you accidentally put on a shirt or sweater inside out, you will either be beaten or you will get drunk. Take it off immediately and put it on correctly.
Saying Goodbye at the Door
When saying goodbye, do not stand in the doorway or on the threshold. Move into the room or step outside to finish the conversation.
Dropping a Mitten/Glove
If you drop a glove or mitten, you must pick it up immediately. Leaving it there means you will soon face poverty or a large loss.
Sleeping Head to the Door
Never sleep with your head facing the door! It is the position in which the dead are carried out and is believed to invite death or terrible illness.
Friday the 13th
Unlike in many Western countries, Friday the 13th is not particularly feared; it is the number 13 itself that is unlucky.
Giving Your Portrait
Never give a living person a portrait, painting, or sculpture of themselves. It is believed to take away their vitality and shorten their life.
Standing After a Toast
When making a toast, you must stand up and remain standing until the glass is empty. Sitting down before the toast is finished is poor form and bad luck.
Slavic Folklore and Nature
Respecting the Leshy
The Leshy is the forest spirit. When in the woods, you should avoid swearing, shouting, or breaking branches. Be respectful, or he will lead you in circles.
The Rusalka
A Rusalka is a Slavic water nymph or spirit. Avoid swimming in rivers or lakes at night, especially during the week before Pentecost, as they might drag you under.
The Fire Spirit
It is bad luck to spit or swear near a fireplace or stove, as it offends the spirit of the fire and can cause accidents.
Horseshoes
Finding a horseshoe is great luck. It should be hung above the doorway with the ends facing up to collect good fortune.
Easter Eggs
The decorated Easter egg (Pysanka) is a powerful protective charm and symbol of fertility and rebirth. They are often kept throughout the year.
The Witch’s Wind (Vedma)
A sudden, strong gust of wind on a calm day is sometimes believed to be a witch (Vedma) flying overhead to perform her dark magic.
Counting Stars
Don’t count the stars in the sky! It is believed to bring bad luck or even lead to warts.
Mushrooms and Fortune
Finding the first mushroom of the season brings good fortune for the entire year, especially for financial matters.
Dropping a Spoon
Dropping a spoon means a woman is about to arrive as a visitor. Dropping a knife means a man is coming.
The Tree Spirit
Knocking on a tree (stuchat’ po derevu) is a way to ask the tree spirit for protection or to avoid jinxing a good thought.
Blowing Out Candles
Never blow out a candle completely! Always pinch the wick out with your fingers or a special snuffer to show respect to the flame.
A Knife at the Door
An old belief says that placing a knife or an axe under the doormat can repel evil spirits trying to enter the house.
The Number Seven
The number seven is considered especially lucky, but it’s often combined with the number three for maximum spiritual protection.
Failing to Take Off Rings
You must always remove all rings before doing laundry or other household chores; otherwise, you will lose your health.
Broken Glass
If you break glass, you must gather all the pieces immediately and throw them away. Leaving shards around is inviting bad luck.
Complaining About Health
Never complain aloud that your health is “too good.” If you do, you should immediately knock on wood and spit three times to keep it that way.
Lighting Cigarettes
Never light three cigarettes from the same match or lighter. This WWII-era belief is said to bring bad luck or death to one of the three people.
A Burning Face
If your whole face suddenly feels hot and red, it means someone is furiously arguing about you.
Gifting Yellow Flowers
Yellow flowers (especially roses) are seen as a terrible gift! They symbolize betrayal, infidelity, or the end of a relationship.
The Corner Table
Sitting at the corner of a table ensures you won’t marry for seven years. (A common belief across Eastern Europe).
Counting Presents
Never count the gifts you receive, especially on your birthday, or you’ll lose all the good luck they were meant to bring.
Talking in Sleep
If someone talks in their sleep, you must gently turn the pillow over. If you don’t, they might forget what they were saying when they wake up.
Fallen Picture
If a picture or frame falls off the wall, it’s an omen of a surprise—either good or bad, depending on whose picture it was.
Pouring into an Empty Glass
If you are the last to pour wine or vodka into an already empty bottle, you will be the next person to get married.
Throwing Water Out
Never throw water out the window! The soul of a deceased relative might be passing by and be offended by the rude gesture.
Ironing the Laundry
Always start ironing laundry from the sleeves, not the collars or hems. Starting from the edges is believed to bring poverty.
Crossing Knives
Do not leave two knives crossed on the kitchen table or cutting board. It’s an omen of a major argument or fight with the family.
Looking Under the Bed
It is considered very bad luck to look under your bed, especially before going to sleep. You might see something you regret.
Hammering at Night
Do not do any kind of repair work, like hammering or drilling, late at night. It wakes up the Domovyk and makes him angry.
Dropping Your Comb
If you drop your comb while doing your hair, it means you will soon receive an important letter or urgent news.
Road and Modern Omens
Counting Funeral Cars
If you see a funeral procession, you must count the cars to avoid bad luck. Failure to count them can bring misfortune.
A White Car
Seeing a rare white car (often an import) is considered a good omen, especially if you see it first thing in the morning.
The Lucky Ticket (Schastlivyy Bilet)
Finding a bus or metro ticket with matching numbers (e.g., 123321) is a rare sign of amazing luck. You must eat it or keep it safe!
Hearing Your Name
If you hear someone call your name when you are alone, do not answer! It might be a spirit trying to lure you away.
Cracked Phone Screen
A broken screen is more than just annoying; it is believed that the bad luck the phone absorbed has now been released.
The Gift of a Clock
Never give a clock or a watch as a gift! It is believed to count down the remaining time of the recipient’s life or friendship.
Student Rituals
Before an exam, students will shout from a window, “Khalyava, priydi!” (Freebie, come!) and shake their test papers to summon good luck.
Red Thread on the Wrist
A simple red wool thread tied around the left wrist is a popular modern charm to protect the wearer from the evil eye or bad luck.
Flickering Light
If a light bulb starts flickering when you are talking about something negative, it means a spirit is present, confirming what you are saying.
Looking in the Mirror (Leaving)
If you must turn back after leaving the house, you must look at yourself in the mirror before leaving again. The reflection “doubles” your luck and wards off the bad omen.
Cultural & Scholarly Resources on Russian Beliefs
These resources provide valuable context on the complex history of Russian folklore, from ancient Slavic mythology to the lasting influence of the Orthodox Church.
- Slavic Paganism – Wikipedia — Overview of the pre-Christian religious beliefs and practices that form the basis of many Russian superstitions.
- Russian Folklore – Wikipedia — Details on prominent mythical creatures, legends, and folk tales, including the Domovyk and Rusalka.
- Domovik (House Spirit) – Wikipedia — Information on the benevolent but mischievous guardian of the Slavic household.
- Primeta (Russian Superstitions) – Wikipedia — Definition and cultural significance of the term used for everyday Russian folk omens.
- Muttering and Spitting for Luck – Wikipedia — Context on the widespread practice of spitting or making a spitting sound (“Tfu, tfu, tfu!”) to ward off bad luck, particularly against the evil eye.