CountryBirth traditionWedding traditionFuneral tradition/Rituals

RomaniaTraditions says that the water of the first bath must contain:BASIL-so that the child be beautiful especially if its a girlGRAIN-to be honestANET- to be pleasant like the anet in the dishMIND AND CHAMOMILE- to age up easily and to be healthyPOPPYHEAD- to sleep in peaceHEMP SEEDS- to grow fastFETHERS- to be as light as a featherHOLY WATER- so that the childs soul might be as clean as itSWEET MILKEGGS- to be healthy and as full as the egg(the egg must remain integrate because the mother have to put it in the next days bath water)MONEY- so that the childs life might me wealthyThe midwife pours some bath water at the base of an apple or a pear so that the child might grow as beautiful and healthy as that tree, after she took the money. After this, she is sitting on a upside down kneading trough while the women dance and whistle around her. Next, the midwife must jump over the kneading trough and challenge the nieces who want a baby like this:Come, lets jump aver the kneading troughSo that you might get a baby girlBut come and jump even more higherSo that you might get also a baby boy Finally, she gives the baby with money on his chest to the godparents and serves the mother with rachiu. This symbol appears also in the zones where the midwife must organize a little party with her nieces for the baby. Some rural communities still call suitors to unify the prospective families. Where the suitor is not used, the tradition says that the bridegrooms parents must ask the brides hand in marriage from her parents. The suitor usually use a special poem, known by the folklorists under the name of oratie de nunta, an allegory that tells the story of a young hunter away to catch a deer.

In the past, the wedding party last three days and three nights. For whom didnt find his/her life partner, an old tradition has been continued even today on the Gaina Mountain . At The Maiden Fair on Gaina Mountain you can find and choose your future hustband or wife and to marry on the spot.Discovering that someone known died, the neighbours come at the priveghi, where they can chat with the dead person, begging him to send messages to their dead relatives.The priveghi lasts three days, while the priest comes and reads all four Gospels.The dead person is usually transported in a open coffin with a carload with yokes through all village. The convoy makes 7 layovers that symbolise the seven layovers of Jesus by the time of his trip on Golgota mountain. In case they have to cross a water, the surface is covered with a cloth so that the dead person doesent see his reflection and become a ghoul.

CountryBirth traditionWedding traditionFuneral tradition/Rituals

Greece In the past, it was believed that the new mother was the source of jealousy and must avoid the evil eye (, kako mati) Therefore, she was never seen in public for forty days. After this period, she would take her baby to the church, the baby was blessed by the priest, and they could both start going out. On the eighth day after the birth, the Fates (, mires) visit the newborn and determine their future. This belief had its roots in Greek mythology.

In some parts, outside Athens and other big cities, the bride still has a dowry made by her mother, grandmothers and aunts, consisting of sheets, towels and hand made embroideries, while the father of the bride traditionally offers a furnished home to his daughter and son-in-law as a wedding gift. During the wedding ceremony, the best men and best woman (koumbaro and koumbara) give the wedding rings to the priest, cross the crowns (stephana) three times and then place them on the couples head. Once the priest has declared them married, the guests throw rice and almond candy wrapped with white sugar (ta koufeta) to the new couple. Female close relatives in mourning dress in black from head to toe, normally for at least 40 days,while many widows and mothers who lose a child will continue to mourn and wear only black forthe rest of their lives..Close male relatives dont shave for at least 40 days, and may wear a black armband. Althoughfamily members wear black it is not expected of everyone, but bright coloured clothing should beavoided sober colours should be worn out of respect.

Spain El Salto del Colacho , meaning the devils leap, is the annual baby jumping festval held in the village of Castrillo de Murcia near Burgos. Baby jumping is a traditional Spanish practice dating back to 1620 that takes place annually to celebrate the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi.The babies are covered in confetti and rose petals and a man costumed as the devil must jump over them and scare the youth.Following the wedding there will be a reception party that is often described as being of massive proportion. There will be much Spanish wine, lots and lots of dancing, and many, many toasts to the long life and happiness of the new couple. It is traditional for the new bride to present her bridesmaids with a small pin, often an orchid or a lily, which is worn up-side-down during reception. If the pin falls out during the marathon of dancing it is considered a good omen that the woman will soon marry.

The funeral process will likely include a Mass held in a church. The casket carrying the deceased is transported to the location and close family members take part in a processional as it is moved close to the altar. A traditional burial usually follows the church service. According to beliefs in this culture, the dead return on certain days of the year and are remembered through special events. The body must be buried for this to occur ascremationis not a common option in the Hispanic culture.

JapanDuring the 5th month of pregnancy the family will go to the shrine to ask for a safe birth called an "annzan". It is a little ceremony where they pray and the priest presents the woman with a sash that is white with a picture of a dog on it. The dog represents an easy and safe birth. The sash is about 1 foot wide and 6.5 feet long, and is wrapped under the belly for support.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom change their clothes, and meet their families and matchmakers for a celebratory meal. The groom wears a suit and tie, and the bride changes her hair, make-up, and kimono. This second kimono is brightly colored. The place and small meal are usually traditional Japanese. Tables are arranged in atatamiroom with the head table seating only the bride and groom looking over the party. At the crematorium family is present when the casket is moved to the cremation chamber. The cremation lasts for about two hours. The family returns after the process is completed. After some 15 minutes needed for the bones and ash to c Then the separation of bones and ashes is done. Two family members move bones to the urn using large chopsticks or metal picks. Leg bones are moved first and head bones are the last. People do not want to have the deceased upside down.Ashes are usually kept in one urn but there are cases when it is shared between family members. Sometimes part of the ashes is given to the temple or company. It may sound little bit unusual but there are company graves with remains of their employees.

ItalyAnother common practice was to wrap the baby from his feet to his torso in a fascia, basically a long piece of fabric, a bit like a little mummy, or a baby Russian babushka. It was believed that by doing so the baby would grow up to have straight limbs. Food is the focus of any true Italianfesta-- some Italians eat their way through as many as fourteen different leisurely reception courses! Stick to fresh, seasonal dishes with savory appetizers (olives, prosciutto, and salami) and hearty entrees (pastas with thick sauces, veal, and venison). Serve wanda (bowties), which are twists of fried dough covered in powdered sugar, for dessert.

Grave Site: Following mass, mourners gather at the site of the grave. Sometimes each person will walk up to the casket and throw a fistful of dirt or a flower on top. Grave space is a precious commodity in Italy, so interment usually takes place in a mausoleum. Italian cemeteries are a serene and park-like setting where people may choose to picnic or take a leisurely walk.