Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The Dog Days of summer are associated with the cult of fire

Photo: Pixabay

Three days in mid-July are given special attention in the Bulgarian calendar. 15, 16 and 17 July are known as the Dog Days or Goreshtnitsi (from goreshto, meaning 'hot') and are considered to be the hottest time of the year in Bulgaria. During this period, our ancestors honoured the unbridled power of fire, which comes from the sun and providing us with warmth and light.


As with all special days and holidays, certain prohibitions apply to the Dog Days – for example, bread could not be baked in order to protect the harvest from fire and hail. It was believed that anything crafted during this period would burn, so women did not engage in handicrafts. It is no coincidence that the third day of the Dog Days coincides with the Feast of Saint Marina, known to Bulgarians as 'Firy Marina' and symbolising the heavenly fire. Tradition dictates that a fire should be lit on this day, which people jump over for good health. They then take embers from it to their homes to light their hearths.


According to popular belief, the weather during these three days indicates what the weather will be like during the first three months of the following yearIf the weather on 15, 16 and 17 July is warm and sunny, the corresponding month – January, February or March – will also be mild, snowless, warm and rainy. However, cold weather in July portends winter frosts and storms.


Further information about folk beliefs, traditions and customary bans associated with the Dog Days of the year can be found in these Radio Bulgaria publications:


Editor: Elena Karkalanova
Posted in English by E. Radkova







Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Small, wild and furry: New additions to European bison herd in the Eastern Rhodopes

Three European bison calves were born in the Eastern Rhodopes during the past few weeks, the Rewilding Rhodopes foundation has announced. They are the first additions to the herd for the year and are already accompanying their mothers as they walk..

published on 6/29/25 7:35 AM

"Cultural Alternative Tsaribrod" motivates Bulgarians in Serbia to write in their native language

Earlier this week the parliamentary Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad examined the case of the association "Cultural Alternative Tsaribrod" - a Bulgarian organization in the Serbian town of Tsaribrod (or Dimitrovgrad), which publishes a..

published on 6/28/25 3:05 PM

Bansko Nomad Fest with lectures, networking and mountain experiences for remoters from all over the world

More than 800 digital nomads and entrepreneurs from 50 countries have arrived in Bansko for the 6 th edition of Bansko Nomad Fest – one of the biggest international events for remote workers. The festival, which is on until 29 June, offers a..

published on 6/28/25 10:55 AM