Traditional Turkish Beliefs About Special Days, Water, and Nature

Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage extends far beyond its monuments, cuisine, and festivals. For centuries, communities throughout Anatolia have preserved a fascinating collection of folk beliefs associated with special days, nature, water, stones, and everyday life. These traditions, passed from generation to generation through oral storytelling, reflect humanity’s long-standing desire to explain the unknown, protect loved ones, and live in harmony with nature.

Although modern Turkish society is firmly rooted in science and contemporary life, many of these customs continue to be remembered and, in some families, observed as expressions of cultural identity rather than religious obligation.

Beliefs Associated with Hıdırellez

One of Türkiye’s most celebrated traditional festivals is Hıdırellez, observed each year on 6 May. It marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes renewal, fertility, prosperity, and hope. According to folklore, Hızır and İlyas—two revered figures in Turkish tradition—meet on this day, bringing blessings to nature and humanity.

Numerous customs and superstitions are associated with Hıdırellez.

Traditional beliefs include:

• Sewing, knitting, or mending clothes should be avoided on Hıdırellez.
• Cutting down trees, pruning plants, or damaging vegetation is believed to disturb nature’s renewal and may bring bad luck.
• Hunting or killing animals on this day is traditionally discouraged.
• Fresh water collected before sunrise is believed to possess healing and life-giving qualities.
• A jug filled with spring or river water is often brought into the home before sunrise as a symbol of health, abundance, and prosperity.
• According to popular belief, bathing in a river before sunrise promotes good health and protects against illness throughout the coming year.
• Some communities believe that yogurt can be made on Hıdırellez using only fresh spring water without adding traditional starter culture, as nature itself provides the necessary blessing.

These customs celebrate the close relationship between people and the natural world and reflect ancient seasonal traditions that long predate the modern era.

Beliefs Related to Arefe Day

Arefe, the day before the major Islamic religious festivals (Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı), has long been regarded as a day of preparation, remembrance, and respect.

Traditional customs observed in various regions include:

• Heavy work is often avoided.
• Sewing is traditionally discouraged, particularly by those mourning the recent loss of a family member.
• Cutting trees or gathering wood is considered inappropriate.
• Flour sacks that have remained closed are opened in preparation for the holiday meals.
• Bringing firewood into the house is believed by some to invite snakes or other unwanted visitors.
• In certain communities, using soap on Arefe is avoided as part of local tradition.

These customs vary considerably from one region to another and are generally regarded as elements of local folklore rather than religious requirements.

Beliefs During the Month of Aşure

The period associated with Aşure (Ashura), remembered through the preparation of the traditional dessert made from grains, legumes, dried fruits, and nuts, is also accompanied by several folk traditions.

One widely known belief holds that:

• Young trees should not be cut down during this period, reflecting respect for nature and hopes for future growth and abundance.

Although practices differ across Türkiye, the emphasis on protecting young trees symbolizes renewal and continuity.

Beliefs Concerning Livestock

In rural Anatolia, many beliefs developed around farming and animal husbandry.

One traditional custom states that:

• Newborn lambs should not be officially counted before Hıdırellez, as doing so was once believed to bring misfortune or reduce the prosperity of the flock.

Such beliefs reveal the importance of livestock to village life and the desire to protect valuable animals from harm.

Folk Beliefs About Water

Water has always held a special place in Turkish folklore. Rivers, lakes, springs, and fountains have long been viewed as sources of life, purification, and mystery.

Many traditional beliefs are connected with water.

Lakes After Dark

According to old Anatolian legends:

• Swimming or entering a lake at night is discouraged because supernatural beings such as spirits, genies, or fairies were believed to visit the water after sunset.

These stories likely served as practical warnings against the real dangers of swimming in darkness.

Respect for Water

Several customs emphasize treating water with respect.

Traditional beliefs include:

• Spitting into rivers, lakes, fountains, or springs is considered disrespectful and may bring bad luck.
• Knives should not be placed into boiling water, a belief associated with protecting the household from misfortune.
• Jumping over water used for washing clothes was traditionally discouraged because harmful spirits were believed to dwell there.

While these beliefs are rooted in folklore, they also encourage cleanliness and careful behavior around water.

Water Before Sunrise

Many Turkish traditions consider water collected before sunrise to possess special qualities.

Fresh spring or river water gathered early in the morning is often associated with:

• Good health
• Prosperity
• Purity
• Protection from illness

These customs continue to be observed in some villages during Hıdırellez celebrations.

Stones and Sacred Places

Large rocks, ancient stones, and unusual natural formations often occupy an important place in Anatolian folklore.

Traditional beliefs include:

• Sleeping on or beside large stones, especially those with ancient roots or mysterious appearances, is believed to attract evil spirits or supernatural beings.
• Certain isolated rocks are thought to possess spiritual significance or mysterious powers.

Many of these stories originated as explanations for unusual geological formations or as warnings to travelers spending nights outdoors.

Nighttime Folk Beliefs

Darkness has long inspired legends in every culture, and Turkish folklore is no exception.

Among the better-known traditional beliefs are:

• Going outdoors unnecessarily late at night may expose a person to supernatural beings.
• Urinating outdoors after dark was traditionally believed to invite punishment from invisible spirits or pixies.
• Sleeping beside isolated fountains was discouraged because such places were thought to attract supernatural creatures after sunset.

Although these stories are now largely regarded as folklore, they often served practical purposes by encouraging people to avoid potentially dangerous places during the night.

Folklore as Cultural Heritage

Today, most Turkish people recognize these beliefs as part of the country’s rich oral tradition rather than literal truths. They are valuable cultural expressions that illustrate how earlier generations sought to understand nature, explain unexplained events, and encourage respectful behavior toward the environment.

Many customs also contain practical wisdom. Discouraging nighttime swimming, protecting trees, respecting water sources, and avoiding unnecessary work before important celebrations all contributed to healthier communities and stronger social traditions.

Discovering Traditional Türkiye

Visitors traveling through Türkiye—particularly in rural villages and smaller towns—may still hear many of these traditional sayings from older generations. Learning about these customs offers fascinating insight into Turkish folklore and provides a deeper appreciation of the country’s living cultural heritage.

Whether connected to Hıdırellez, Arefe, rivers, lakes, or ancient stones, these beliefs continue to form a colorful and enduring part of Türkiye’s cultural landscape, linking the modern nation with centuries of shared traditions and storytelling.