Is a Name Day in Game of Thrones a Real Tradition?

Is a Name Day in Game of Thrones a Real Tradition?

by Ronesa Aveela

A name day (Имен ден) is not a custom only in the society of the Seven Kingdoms in Game of Thrones. It’s also an annual Bulgarian celebration of a person’s name and is a way to determine the person’s age. This celebration may elicit a “Really?” from people when you describe it to them.

It’s a festivity like a birthday, but is more popular than a birthday. Each day of the year has several related names assigned to it—quite often associated with the holidays of the saints. When babies are born, they may be named for the saint of the day, but not always. Their name day is quite often is on a different day than their birthday.

Long ago, a person’s name was like a magic word, an amulet, or a spell. It held power. Even today, Bulgarians consider a person’s name important. One proverb says, “The name makes the man,” while another states, “A man with no name is no man.” On a person’s name day, it’s customary to greet them with “Long live you and your name.”

Name days may have come about because people in ancient times didn’t know the exact date of their birth. They would mention of the day of their birth as “born after St. Demetrius’ Day,” “at threshing time,” “before grape-picking,” or “on Holy Virgin’s Day.” People also often named their children after the saints, believing the saint would protect and bless the child. Over time, people began to associate the celebration of the saint’s feast day more with the name than with the saint.

Where a name day differs from a birthday is in the giving of gifts. Like a birthday, people may receive presents from friends and family. Quite often, though, instead of receiving gifts, the person who is celebrating is the one who’s providing food and beverages to those who visit. And since everyone knows when it’s another person’s name day, no special invitations are needed. Anyone can drop by to wish the person a blessing and happiness on his name day.

At one time, if people didn’t want visitors on their name day, they placed ads in the paper that they would not be receiving guests. Those who do celebrate will prepare a meal that is associated with the saint. For example, fish is a staple on St. Nicholas’ Day, while lamb will be served on St. Georges’s Day, and chicken on St. Peter’s Day.

One famous saint most people have heard of is St. Nicholas (Nikolas). The name day in his honor, Nikulden (Никулден, St. Nicholas’ Day), is celebrated on December 6. What many people know him for is his reputation for giving gifts. The most famous story about this was that he secretly threw three purses of gold coins through the window of the house of a poor man who had three unmarried daughters. In those days, women needed a dowry to marry. Without one and with not much hope of obtaining employment sufficient to live on, most poor women ended up as prostitutes. Thus, from this generous act, Santa Claus came into existence. In some parts of Bulgaria, unmarried women leave gifts at the saint’s icon in the church as part of premarriage rituals.

Less known is the fact that St. Nicholas was the patron saint of fishermen and sailors (and also bankers and merchants). Since the eastern side of Bulgaria borders the Black Sea, this is an important holiday for Bulgarians. As a sign of respect to the saint, men don’t go out on the sea. Special offerings are made at the church. Wreaths are made and later tossed out into the water in memory of the many who have drowned.

Since St. Nicholas is the patron of fishermen, the fish is an important aspect of celebrations in his honor. The fish, like bread and wine in ceremonies honoring the saints, is rife with symbolism. It represents women (and consequently fertility), water (which is essential for life), the depths of the underworld (again fertility, since new life begins in the earth), Christianity (disciples were called fishers of men), and granting wishes (as seen in the story of St. George and St. Demetrius described earlier).

The carp, in particular, is called the servant of St. Nicholas. It is considered sacred because a bone inside its head is shaped like a cross. The bone is often used as an amulet, sewn inside the hat of a newborn, to protect the infant.

Many legends tell of the miracles St. Nikolas performed. Because of this he is also known as “the Wonderworker.” One story in particular tells about a violent storm that arose while St. Nikolas was on a ship headed to Christ’s tomb. The storm killed one of the sailors and damaged the ship so that it began to fill with water. St. Nikolas prayed and fish filled the hole in the boat. He also brought the dead man back to life.

Have You Heard about Fortune Bread?

I’m sure everyone knows about fortune cookies. You’ve probably tried them many times. But have you heard about fortune bread?

In Bulgaria on Christmas Eve (Budni vecher), the meal consists of an odd number (at least seven) vegetarian dishes: such things as tikvenik (a pumpkin banista), red wine, mixed nuts, stuffed grape leaves, olives, honey, oshav (boiled dry apples and plums), fruits, garlic, dried fruits, and ptika (a round fortune bread) in which a coin has been place inside foil.

The bread is the center of the feast. At the start of the meal, the head of the household breaks the bread into chunks. The first piece is wrapped in a white cloth and set aside for the household. Next, a piece is designated for God or the Virgin Mary, then a piece for the animals (dogs, cats, or others) individually or as a whole. The bread is not actually given to the animals to eat, but is placed on the table in a special plate. One piece is then given to every member of the family, oldest first. Whoever finds the coin inside his bread is certain to have luck throughout the year. If the coin is found in the household piece, everyone in the family will have health and luck. Anyone who puts a piece of bread under his pillow at night will dream of his future because dreams on Christmas Eve become reality. If a young woman dreams of a man, he is destined to become her husband within the year.

This tradition is incorporated into my children’s short story and coloring/ activity book, The Christmas Thief, where a seven-year-old boy named Christopher is determined he’s going to catch the Winter Monster who steals food from his family’s porch every Christmas. What he discovers instead is the meaning of sharing.

You can find this and my other books on my website: www.ronesaaveela.com.

All images by Nelinda and copyright Bendideia Publishing.

Ronesa Aveela is “the creative power of two.” Two authors that is. The main force behind the work, the creative genius, was born in Bulgaria and moved to the US in the 1990s. She grew up with stories of wild Samodivi, Kikimora, the dragons Zmey and Lamia, Baba Yaga, and much more. She’s a freelance artist and writer. She likes writing mystery romance inspired by legends and tales. In her free time, she paints. Her artistic interests include the female figure, Greek and Thracian mythology, folklore tales, and the natural world interpreted through her eyes. She is married and has two children.

Her writing partner was born and raised in the New England area. She has a background in writing and editing, as well as having a love of all things from different cultures.

Together, the two make up the writing of Ronesa Aveela.

You can discover more about Ronesa on the Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/ronesa-aveela/