Cypriot superstitions: the ancient beliefs still alive today

Some ancient beliefs are making a modern comeback, while others never went awayFor generations, Cypriots viewed misfortune as more than simple bad luck. Across the island, rituals, charms and protective practices were used to ward off harm and bring order to an uncertain world. Today, these customs are often grouped under the label of superstition. But according to anthropologist Theodoros Kyriakides, they once formed part of a much wider understanding of how life worked. “Superstition is a somewhat contested term which originates from societies trying to become rational and modern,” he says. “Superstition in such sense refers to ‘remnants’ of the past – irrational practices and rituals which people did back in the day, especially in peasant settings.” Kyriakides, a social anthropologist who has researched Cypriot folk religion and ritual practices since 2017, says these beliefs formed a much broader understanding of the world. There were hundreds of such beliefs and practices, many designed to protect people from illness and misfortune. However, beneath them lay a deep cosmological outlook. “The individual is perceived as shaped and constantly challenged by cosmic and fatalistic narratives and forces they must negotiate through ritual mastery and knowledge,” he explains. Religion played an important role within this worldview. Kyriakides’ research centres on chants and incantations known asyities, which were performed to ward off illnesses and bad luck. “These would often be performed by priests,” he says. As religion in Cyprus evolved over time, it became more institutionalised, leading to differences concerning which rituals were acceptable and which were viewed as harmful or forbidden. Salt was tossed over the shoulder to protect against evil Although many traditional practices have faded, the beliefs behind them often remain. Kyriakides calls this persistence “magical memory,” describing how old ideas still live on in Cypriot culture. He recalls encountering people who no longer had the ritual knowledge of previous generations, but still improvised protective practices based on stories passed down by parents and grandparents. Although beliefs could differ from village to village and household to household, many older Cypriots would have recognised certain rituals and warnings. Some families had garlic hanging outside their house to protect against the evil eye, whereas others tossed salt over their shoulders if they accidentally spilled it or scattered it after an unwelcomed visitor left. In certain homes, olive oil was never carried outside after sunset, nor were nails cut at night for fear of inviting misfortune. Other beliefs shaped everyday behaviour. It was considered customary for visitors to exit through the same door they came in. “Even though Cypriots retain oral histories regarding magical rituals of the past, they have been separated from the ritual mastery their ancestors required to perform them,” Kyriakides says. In his research, he came across cases of individuals who had adapted their own versions of protective rituals, inspired by stories they heard from their parents or grandparents, demonstrating that although traditional practices may have evolved, the belief behind them remains entrenched within the culture. Kyriakides believes that there seems to be a revival of Cypriot “spirituality”. “There has also been a resurgence of what we might call Cypriot ‘spirituality’, especially in younger demographics”. Some families hung garlic outside their door According to Kyriakides, contemporary expressions of older traditions can be found not only in ritual practices but also in forms of art, while Cypriot folk beliefs increasingly mix with influences such as astrology, tarot and even paganism. While now people may follow some particular rituals and habits despite having stopped believing in them altogether. “I believe it’s a question which gestures to the ambiguity, plurality and complexity shaping the mental state of belief,” he says. In the meantime, previous generations were concerned about how others’ actions and feelings could result in their misfortune. “People were and still are wary of the misfortune stemming from the envy of relatives, neighbours and friends,” says Kyriakides. Few beliefs illustrate this more clearly than the evil eye, one of the most enduring symbols in Cyprus and around the entire Mediterranean region. Not only has the symbol remained important due to its traditional value, but also because it has adapted to modern life. “We see it on clothes, jewellery and even mobile apps,” he says. Yet the evil eye contains an interesting contradiction: while it is associated with misfortune, the evil eye also implies that the one affected possesses something others desire. “Even though the evil eye signifies misfortune, it also implies that individuals ‘targeted’ have something others want,” he says. The symbol’s continued popularity suggests that even in an increasingly modern society, older beliefs still resonate. Far from dying out or disappearing, many traditional beliefs appear to be evolving. While some survive as customs passed down through families, others are being reinterpreted through contemporary spirituality, art and popular culture. “Cypriots seem to have exited their rational stage and are now in a process of rediscovering the significance of pre-modern perceptions and practices,” says Kyriakides. Whether through old rituals, modern spirituality or an evil eye charm hanging from a rear view mirror, the beliefs that shaped previous generations continue to leave their mark on Cyprus today.