Did you know that in Russia, it’s considered inappropriate to give an even number of flowers, as they are reserved for graves, while odd numbers are given on other occasions?
When did the superstition about not giving an even number of flowers begin?
This belief dates back to pagan times in ancient Rus. The sorcerers of the East Slavic tribes believed that even numbers symbolized the completion of the life cycle, i.e., death. This idea is reflected in the proverb, “misfortune never comes alone.” Odd numbers, on the other hand, were thought to represent life and served as a kind of talisman to ward off evil spirits that might harm a person.
This pre-Christian belief has endured to this day. We give each other an odd number of flowers, while an even number is placed on the graves of the deceased.