Folk signs for January 14th: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine when to sow and harvest, when to prepare for winter, get married and go on a trip. Every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for January 14 and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for January 14, 2026

In the folk tradition, January 14 is St. Basil's Day, or St. Basil's Day. The holiday fell in the middle of Yuletide and simultaneously opened the new year in the old style. For this day, the housewives were preparing a large 12—course dinner, according to the number of months of the coming year. It was believed that the more plentiful the food, the more successful the life of the family members would be. A special place on the festive table was occupied by kutia, whose taste was judged on the coming year: sweet and rich — for luck, bitter — for trouble.

The most important ceremony of St. Basil's Day was sowing. In the morning, the boys went around the houses, showering the floor and threshold with grain (oats, wheat) with wishes for health and a rich harvest, and in return they received treats and small coins. The grain was not thrown away, it was stored until spring sowing as a talisman. In the evening, unmarried girls would guess at their betrothed by throwing a shoe over the threshold. According to beliefs, in which direction the sock points, the groom will come from there.

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Special importance was attached to the weather signs on January 14, which were used to judge the future harvest. If it was frosty on Vasily Svinyatnik, they understood that there was no need to worry about the crops — they would bear rich fruits in the summer.

Other signs of the day

• lots of stars in the sky — for the harvest of peas and berries;
• Blizzard — there will be a lot of nuts in summer;
• A thaw leads to a cool summer;
• east wind — for hot and dry summer;
• South wind — summer will not be hot and fruitful;
• the man was the first to enter the house — for a successful and monetary year.

What not to do on January 14th

It was believed that St. Basil's Day sets the tone for the whole coming year. Therefore, quarrels and shouting were avoided on the holiday, so as not to disrupt the harmony in the family. Also, on January 14, they did not eat fish — according to beliefs, after that a person may lose his voice.

What else can not be done on January 14th

• to refuse reconciliation — the enmity will drag on.;
• to take out the garbage from the house — you can "take out" happiness and prosperity with them.;
• Counting small things leads to tears and minor troubles;
• borrowing large amounts of money leads to financial difficulties;
• smashing dishes and breaking things — to losses and worries in the future;
• to be lazy and sleep for a long time — the whole year will be spent in lethargy and inactivity.

What is the church holiday on January 14th?

On January 14, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Basil the Great, one of the three Ecumenical hierarchs. He was born in the 4th century in Caesarea of Cappadocia into a pious family. Having received a brilliant education in Constantinople and Athens, he chose the path of monastic service. He traveled to Syria, Palestine and Egypt, visited monasteries and holy places, and then settled in seclusion on the banks of the Iris River to lead an ascetic life.

In 370, Basil was elected bishop of Caesarea. During this period, he became famous as a scholar of the Holy Scriptures and a great merciful man: he built hospitals, hospices and generously helped the poor. During the heyday of the Arian heresy, Basil openly defended Orthodoxy, for which he was constantly attacked by heretics. The saint died in 379. He left behind many theological works, including "On the Holy Spirit", "Moral Rules", "Conversations on the Sixth Day", etc.

Prayers for the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord: texts and meaning

Believers also celebrate the Circumcision of the Lord on January 14. This holiday was established in memory of the event described in the Gospel: on the eighth day after Christmas, the Infant Christ, according to the Old Testament law, was circumcised, which confirmed his belonging to the Israeli people. During this ceremony, he was given the name Jesus (Savior). The Church sees a deep meaning in this: the Son of God, being sinless, voluntarily submitted to the Old Testament law in order to fulfill it and set an example of humility. This holiday also symbolizes spiritual "circumcision" — the cutting off of sinful passions and vices, which in the New Testament is performed through the sacrament of Baptism.

Prayers for January 14th

Orthodox believers pray to St. Basil the Great on January 14. He is asked for healing from ailments, especially those related to the eyes, for help in choosing a life path and overcoming difficulties, for protection from fires and other misfortunes. You can also read the troparion and kontakion of the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord.

Prayer to St. Basil the Great

"O great and glorious Prelate of Christ, all-wise teacher of the all-universal Church, firm confessor and champion of Orthodoxy, All-blessed Father Basil! Look down from the heights of heaven upon us who humbly fall down to you, and beseech the Lord Almighty, Whose faithful servant you were on earth, that he grant us firm and unchangeable preservation of the right faith, obedience to the Church, correction of our lives, and speedy help, patience, and strengthening in all our needs, tribulations, and temptations. Grant us your holy blessing, that we may overshadow this new summer and live all our days in peace and repentance, and in the Kingdom of heaven, together with you and with all the saints, we may glorify and glorify the Life-giving Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."

Troparion of the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord

"Sitting on the Throne of fire in the Highest with the Beginningless Father and Your Divine Spirit, you were pleased to be born on earth of an Unskilful Maiden, to Your Mother, Jesus, for this you were circumcised, as a Man of the present day. Glory to Your all-good counsel, glory to Your consideration, glory to Your condescension, O One Who loves Mankind."

Kontakion of the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord

"The Lord tolerates circumcision for all and human transgressions, for He is Good, circumcises, and gives salvation to the world today. Both the Creator hierarch and the light-bearing, Divine sacrament of Christ Basil rejoice in the Highest."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the Lavish Evening national holiday.