The first snow falls to earth from St. Dimitar’s beard, one legend goes. But there are others too – that it is St. Nicholas or Archangel Michael that shake the first snowflakes out of their beards.

Alongside hair and nails, male beards (and moustaches) carry a deep symbolical meaning in Bulgarian folklore. Cut or shaved off, they must not be thrown away just anywhere. They must be thrown into a river, or buried where they will not be found. Especially when such acts are part of a special ritual – for example, the shaving of the groom before the wedding, which has to take place under a fruit tree. Or the ritual plaiting of the bride’s hair which is also done under such a tree. Or the first time a child’s hair is cut after being baptized in church. Girls’ hair should be cut when there is a new moon, so they will have beautiful and healthy hair. There are times when hair should not be washed, and other times when it is unhealthy, dangerous even.

Find out why men have beards, which creatures from popular mythology wear their hair down, and a host of other intriguing facts on Hair, a beard and a moustache in traditional folklore.

Compiled by Albena Bezovska