January 6 is celebrated as Epiphany (Yordanovden) in Bulgaria, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. It is a deeply symbolic day marked by the ritual of blessing the waters, where men dive into rivers or lakes to retrieve a wooden cross thrown by a priest.
- Yordan – The Bulgarian form of Jordan, derived from the Hebrew Yarden, meaning to flow down or descend. It symbolizes renewal, purification, and spiritual strength.
- Yordanka – The feminine form of Yordan, sharing the same meaning. It represents grace and renewal and is often given to girls born around Yordanovden.
