Making Wishes on Hıdırellez: a Guide to the Rose Tree Tradition
Hıdırellez is a traditional celebration in the Turkish world that is believed to bring prosperity and abundance. It is celebrated as the day when Hızır and İlyas met on earth. This year, Hıdırellez will start on the evening of Sunday, May 5, and end at the afternoon adhan on Monday, May 6.
One of the most popular activities during Hıdırellez is fire jumping, where people light a fire and jump over it to protect themselves from diseases and the evil eye. Another tradition involves making wishes on the Hıdırellez rose tree, where wishes are written on papers and hung on the branches of the tree.
During the evening adhan on May 5, money is hung on rose branches or an open wallet is left to collect blessings and prosperity. The money is then collected back early in the morning of May 6 and released into the water.
It is important to recite the Hıdırellez prayer while making a wish on the rose tree. The prayer goes, “A thousand and one steps, one step / Allah, one step by step / Kerim, kerem, Allah / There is smoke in my head, help me, O Allah / La ilaha illallah, Muhammedan Rasullullah, come to my help with speed.”
Overall, Hıdırellez is a joyous celebration filled with traditions and rituals that are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to those who participate. So this year, make a wish on the Hıdırellez rose tree and jump over the fire for a year full of blessings and abundance.
