Gypsy Superstitions and Traditions – Gypsies’ Beliefs and Customs

Last Updated on April 26, 2022

Gypsy Superstitions

There are many superstitions that gypsies hold dear to their hearts.

Some of these include never wearing new shoes when you’re pregnant, not putting the colors red and white together in flower arrangements (since it resembles blood and guts), and never cutting a child’s hair until they reach their second birthday.

Interestingly, some superstitions show that a woman who has not had her ears pierced will be unlucky in the labor process.

It’s also considered bad luck to burn bread or flour on Sundays as they are sacred days of rest.

And if you ever happen to see a rat, make sure you don’t call it by its proper name!

Calling it “devil” can help dilute any negative effects it may have.

Gypsy Money superstitions

Gypsy money superstitions are connected to a person’s luck.

Depending on the superstition, one might spend or save their money in order to change their luck for better or worse.

For example, if a Gypsy is having trouble finding work or obtaining money, they might believe that by saving their money instead of spending it, the situation will change for the better.

Some people also believe that a person’s luck depends on the way they count their money.

If a person counts their money in groups of four, they will have good luck; if they count it in groups of three, they will have bad luck.

Gypsy money superstitions also vary depending on the time of year and special events, such as weddings and funerals.

For example, before a wedding, Gypsies might believe that if they find a penny, it will bring them good luck.

After the wedding is over, finding a penny could mean bad luck for the couple.

A funeral is another special time for Gypsies.

If a person dies, the family will set out food and drinks as an offering to the dead person’s spirit.

The family members will also place coins on the eyes of the dead person.

They do this to help pay for the dead person’s way into heaven.

Gypsy Itching superstitions

Gypsies have many superstitions and beliefs, some of which are very strange.

One such belief is that if a Gypsy has an itch on their body, it means someone in the household is going to die.

Gypsy Bad luck superstitions

Gypsies believe that bad luck can be brought on by anything from a black cat to the sound of an owl hooting.

Some gypsy superstitions are more believable than others, such as the belief that a broken mirror will bring seven years of bad luck.

The gypsies also believe that it is unlucky to leave one’s house without putting on both shoes, and as such, many gypsies wear two left shoes.

The superstition that a person should not wear new shoes on a Sunday is also widely held, and it is believed that the Devil was created when God made the first pair of new shoes.

Seven years of misfortune

Gypsies believe that, if a child is born on the seventh day after Christmas and baptized before sunset of his or her birthday then he or she will be lucky for seven years.

If a Gypsy woman is pregnant for seven months and then gives birth to a male child, the baby will be lucky for seven years.

Gypsy Family fights

Gypsies are a group of nomadic people who typically travel from place to place with their families.

They have been in existence for centuries and often go by the name Romani or Rom.

Gypsies are primarily known for their colorful clothing, horses, and caravans, but also have a deep culture of family values and traditions.

Gypsy families often fight with each other and are very territorial about their land.

The Romani people have a strong sense of family, but also believe in the importance of respecting other families as well.

As part of this tradition, it is not uncommon for a gypsy family to have members from another family living with them.

These people are referred to as “brothers” and “sisters,” even though they may not be related by blood.

Gypsy families are often quite large, with many children and extended family members living together in one home.

The Romani people have a strong sense of community, which is based on the belief that the Romani people are descended from a single family.

This means that they view all other Romani people as relatives, and will treat them with respect and kindness.

When a Gypsy can’t stop hiccuping

Gypsies have a number of superstitions when it comes to hiccups.

One tradition is that you should put a spoon in your mouth and lean over the sink, or try drinking a glass of water upside-down.

Another is that you should eat a spoonful of sugar or honey and then drink some milk to cure the hiccups.

To a Gypsy, Rain is a sign of good luck

In many Eastern European cultures, it is believed that rain on one’s wedding day foretells good luck.

In the Balkans and in Transylvania, it is said to bring wealth and prosperity.

In Serbian and Bulgarian folklore, rain on one’s wedding day is said to bring a lifetime of happiness with their spouse.

Gypsy rain is thought by some Romani people to be a sign that the rain is washing away their sins.

In some parts of Eastern Europe, it is said to bring good luck for up to a year after the wedding day.

It may also bring good fortune to the family of the bride.

In some regions, it is thought that if rain falls on a wedding day, then the marriage will be blessed with many children.

Gypsy Offering flowers to Someone

Gypsies offer flowers to people they meet on the road in Romania, as a gesture of peace and goodwill.

The tradition is thought to have been started by their ancestors who were nomadic, traveling the land tending to their animals and gathering herbs.

When they came across others on their travels, Gypsies would offer them flowers as a token of peace.

Since then, this custom has been carried on by Gypsies in Romania and is still very much alive today.

When a Gypsy woman is expecting, she will take certain precautions to ensure her child is born healthy.

Handbags and Babies

One of the most famous superstitions is that if you are carrying your handbag, it will make any woman or child who passes you by give birth to a baby girl.

This is because the word for handbag in Romany means ‘baby’.

A Gypsy may never get married if…

Gypsies may not marry someone if they have the same initials.

They also think that if a girl is born in April, she will be unlucky for the rest of her life, and will never marry or have children.

Pieces of glass are good luck to Gypsies

If a Gypsy woman accidentally drops a piece of glass, she will pick it up and rub her fingers over the sharp edges to protect herself from injury.

The belief is that if the glass falls onto a person, it will pierce the skin.

The superstition is that if someone else picks up the piece of glass and rubs their fingers over it, they will be granted good luck.

To Gypsies, Black cats are bad luck

Gypsies believe that a black cat crossing their path is considered bad luck.

To break the curse, gypsies will spit three times and then turn around.

Gypsies – Don’t share your bottle

One of the most prominent beliefs is that they don’t share their bottle with anyone, and this includes other gypsies.

The reason for this belief stems from the idea that if you give a gypsy your bottle, they will know where to find you and steal from you.

Although this belief may seem strange, it’s not uncommon for people in the UK who have been burgled to say that they were targeted because the thief knew where to find them.

To Gypsys, Dropping food means…

Gypsies are a nomadic people. They believe that the world is round and they must keep traveling in order to maintain balance with it.

It is believed that if you stay in one place too long, the earth will either grow heavy or light.

To Gypsys, dropping your food means you are a bad guest and that there is no respect for the host’s home.

Gypsies are careful what they wear for Easter

Gypsies have many superstitions and traditions that are deeply rooted in their culture.

One such tradition is not wearing anything new on Easter Sunday, which they believe will bring bad luck.

For many Gypsies, Easter is a time of celebration and family.

The traditional celebrations include dressing up in their best clothes for the holiday and exchanging gifts with one another.

In most cases, Easter is a time when both the rich and poor of a Gypsy community can come together to celebrate.

Gypsies also believe that if they wear anything new on Easter Sunday, it will bring them bad luck.

Gypsies also believe that they should not wash their hair on Easter Sunday, as this will bring them bad luck.

Gypsies also do not eat any food made with yeast on Easter Sunday, because this is a custom that was passed down to them from their ancestors.

Gypsies also do not eat any dairy products, such as cheese or butter on Easter Sunday.

This is because they believe it will bring them bad luck.

When someone gossips about Gypsies

Gypsies believe that when someone gossips about you, they are actually casting spells on you.

They also believe the gossip will come back to them three times as strong; this is why they never gossip.

For Gypsies, a Horseshoe is a sign of prosperity

Horseshoes are considered lucky for Gypsies.

The horseshoe is also a symbol of the sun, as well as being a protective charm against witches and evil spirits.

Final Thought

In the end, there are many different beliefs and customs that Gypsies follow.

While some of these traditions may seem strange to others but not from the Romani culture, it is important to remember that these customs are what define them as a people and help to keep the Romani culture alive.

There is no one way of life for all Gypsies. Every family and group of Gypsies has their own traditions and beliefs.