A number of Bulgarian folk songs start with the words: A tall tree has grown, a tall tree with numerous branches”, sung to wish health and prosperity in the family. Folk wisdom has it that tree species had different properties and qualities. One can see this reflected in the design of Bulgarian folk costumes where the colorful embroideries are often used to depict stylized images of trees, as well as in the adornments of metal and pottery vessels. Goldsmiths wrought tree images on expensive jewellery, and woodcarvers interweaved such deigns in the beautifully decorated wooden ceilings, church iconostasis, and many other objects. Most trees were believed to instill strength in people and to protect them from the forces of evil. Sometimes, however, they could also get one into trouble. That is why it is important to know the place and role of each tree in the complex system of beliefs and rites of Bulgarians in the past. 
We offer you the Bulgarian folk song, Oh, an almond tree is growing.

One of the most widespread mythical symbols of the universe is the so-called World Tree. Its separate parts symbolize the idea of the tripartite nature of the universe. The tree crown symbolizes the heavenly world where God, saints and angels reside. The trunk symbolizes life of earth, and the roots are perceived as an image of the underworld. All these spaces are inhabited by various supernatural powers according to folk beliefs. In addition to being regarded as a representation of the perfectly organized cosmic space, the World Tree also contains within itself the archaic understanding of the possibility of crossing between worlds. Transcending between this world and another one lies at the core of a number of ancient rituals. The century-old crowns of trees covered with their shade the venues of ritual ceremonies. As if in a temple, people came there to make offerings and engage in mythical rites. In the daily lives of Bulgarians in the past, the role of the World Tree was usually bestowed to one of the following tree species – the oak, the sycamore, the walnut, or the pine tree. These species were held in deep veneration, and traditions forbade people to cut them and even to break their branches. 

On Radio Bulgaria, this is Folk Studio and traditional symbolism related to tree species.
The oak tree, also popular among Bulgarians under its folk name variants such as the healing tree or the sweet tree, is the tree of Perun – the supreme deity in Slavic mythology. That is why on Christmas Eve, a big log of oak should be burning in the fireplace. Oak timber is also used to make certain household items. Once, the paddle used by washerwomen had to be made solely of oak. The same was true for the yokes used to carry water from the village fountain. It is noteworthy that both objects took an important part in maiden rituals.
The second most popular tree species was the sycamore. It was believed that the sycamore shade was so strong and powerful that people could sit or sleep under it without any fear of evil spirits. In many folk songs and fairytales, the character of Saint Nicholas is portrayed as seeking the shade of the sycamore tree to lie under and rest after the exhausting battles at sea. The melodious wooden flutes of shepherds were also made of sycamore timber. Just as the special wedding cup that was used to pour wine into and give to the bride and groom to drink from as a token of love and harmony in their future family. The wooden pail used by the young bride on the first day after the wedding also had to be made of sycamore timber because this tree was the only one that could protect young brides and maidens from dragons and nymphs. 

Another sacred tree in the folk mythology of Bulgarians in the past was the walnut. Folk wisdom has it that it was unadvisable to sit under the shade of a walnut tree for too long, as those who fell asleep there would fall ill.
So, the list of trees in order of importance included the oak, the sycamore and the walnut.
Another important tree was the pear. Though not perceived as a sacred tree in the same way as the oak, sycamore and walnut, the pear was believed to possess protective powers. Pears in Bulgarian lands can be found growing almost anywhere – in forests and out in the fields and meadows. The shade of the pear tree is a good place for rest for harvesters and mowers. People used to believe that the cradles of small children should be tied to the trunk of pear trees with no fear of violation on the part of bad spirits. In folk beliefs, the cradles of little infants were always besieged by all types of mythological creatures lurking nearby, waiting for an opportunity to do them harm. However, during the grueling fieldwork, women had no other option but to leave their children unattended for a long time. That is why the tree under whose shade the child’s cradle was tied was of special importance, and everyone was trying to find a pear tree because they knew that evil spirits kept away from them. Some people also believed that the pear would protect them from a bad encounter. That is why in summer, young girls used to wear wreaths made of leafs and twigs of pear trees on their heads. And on Christmas Eve in winter, the festive table could not be blessed unless there were dried pears laid upon it.

Translated by: Rossitsa Petcova