Fire and water, together with all natural elements, occupied a significant place in the mind of the Bulgarian from the past. Bulgarian existence was inextricably linked with mother nature. Bulgarians felt reverence and awe for the precious gifts of the earth. Fire has contrasting symbolism. On the one hand, it symbolizes fertility, warmth and light, but on the other hand, fire can cause pain, devastation, it can even take human life. This is where the popular saying comes from, "Beware of fire."
Hot days are called the three hottest days of the year. Proved by astronomy, these are July 28, 29, and 30, but according to popular belief, Goreshtnitsi is celebrated on July 15, 16, and 17. The symbolism of the sacred number 3 does not remain hidden, as, like other three-day holidays, the first and last days carry the most weight. These are days when work is prohibited, whether it is work at home or work in the fields. People at that time did not dig, reap, or make hay, because fire would befall them.
The Bulgarians were strictly convinced that whoever renounced the holiday, sooner or later it will scald in one form or another. On July 15, the fire in every home is extinguished, the next day no fire is lit either. Only in the evening of July 17 was a fire lit in the middle of the village, from which everyone carried to their house. Lighting the fire was a laborious task because only two dry logs were used, which people rubbed together.
The weather during each of the three festive days was decisive for the coming year. The first hot sign determines the weather for January, the second is a sign of the weather in February, and on the third day it is understood what the weather will be like in March. If the weather is good during the corresponding hot month, then the given month also has good weather waiting for it. Conversely, if the weather is bad, then the corresponding month will be riddled with cold and blizzards.
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Holidays like this show the attitude of the old Bulgarians to the great natural force. Our great-grandfathers were aware of their dependence on nature, and this made them create days like this, which are hardly found anywhere else in the world.
