Written by: Mr. Routaki

October 2023

There are many religious people in Crete. Primarily, this is the Greek Orthodox faith. However, there are also a number of beliefs that others might consider superstition. Here are some examples:

• On the first day of each quarter, people pay attention to who crosses their path first. If it’s a bad person, it is believed to bring bad luck. On these days, a family member, who is certainly a good person, should go ahead to check. Without this precaution, a superstitious person won’t step out of the house.
• It may also happen that if an unexpected, unwelcome guest arrives, someone sneaks outside to sprinkle salt on the ground. This is believed to make the guest leave quickly.
• After the Easter Mass, believers take the ‘holy fire’ home to make a new cross on their doorposts. This is thought to protect the house from all evil in the coming year.
• Beliefs concerning animals are also significant. For instance, black cats and broken mirrors have no special meaning in Crete, but owning a black rooster is considered a favorable omen.
• Another belief, which you might encounter even today, is the belief that hanging a blue eye in the car will prevent accidents. The blue eye is a blue, transparent stone.