Latvian grandparents teach...

According to our ancestors, in Latvia, many things can bring bad luck :

“If you left your home but you need to return, because there's something you forgot: You should look into the mirror.

If you whistle inside a room, you're inviting the devil.

If someone wants to present you a sharp object (a knife or similar), you have to give him a symbolic amount of money in return.

If bread falls on the floor, you must pick it up and kiss it.

If you eat fish on New Year's Eve and put the fish scales into your wallet, then money will keep flowing into it during the year.

If you wear your clothes inside out, you'll get drunk fast."

For a Latvian—a spider is associated with good luck, happiness and well-being. Having one at home is a blessing and killing it would be destroying one’s good fortune.

Our grandparents never light a cigarette off a candle as it could bring a bad luck.

Latvians avoid getting married in May because the marriage will not be happy.

An unmarried woman should never sit at the corner of a table as this will ensure she stays unmarried.

According to Latvian tradition you should eat nine meals at Christmas for the coming year to be rich

It is said that in the New Year’s Eve everyone has to eat peas in order not to have tiers the next year. All of the peas boiled at Christmas must be eaten, otherwise there will be a lot tears shed in the new year.

Flowers should be given in odd numbers.

Even numbers of flowers are given when someone is in mourning.

Easter was also associated with cleanliness and effort to be energetic. It was common for people to wake up early on Easter morning and wash with fresh running water. People swatted each other (especially children) with pussy willow branches.

Swinging is a Latvian Easter tradition that encourages the rising of the sun: the idea is to swing as high as possible, which also helps to repel insects.

Jāņi is celebrated on the summer solstice on 23 and 24 June. According to ancient tradition, the shortest night of the year must be spent by staying awake all night by the glow of the bonfire. The belief is that those who go to sleep before sunrise on Jāņi will be sleepy all summer long. Women and girls wear a crown of flowers on their heads on Jāņi, while men wear a crown of oak leaves.