WHAT IS FLITZANI?

The reading of the grinds of a Greek coffee cup is a tradition that continues for centuries, making coffee cup reading an act that ranges from a few minutes of fun to great (or ominous) expectations for one’s future.

One would think that this method of fortune-telling is Greek, with its origins in the times of Ottoman Rule. Nevertheless, the art of tasseography, or tasseomancy (kafemandeia in Greek) actually originates from China and is centuries old. The difference is that the Chinese read the tea leaves and in Greek coffee cup reading it is the grinds remaining at the bottom of the cup the fortune teller reads.

Coffee cup reading by the “kafetzou” (καφετζού) is based on the idea that a person’s emotional, mental and physical condition affects the shapes formed in the coffee residue. The vague images formed are symbols that unveil something about the person and show things that might happen — or not happen — in the future. There is a whole line of symbols that (mostly) older Greek ladies can read in a coffee cup. 

Greek tradition has it that single young women would go to the coffee cup reader to discover if there is a future groom in line for her. Or a young man would ask the fortune teller if he will find a good job that would help him in starting a family. Overall, like with reading your horoscope, people mostly care about what the future holds for them in regards to love and money.

It is the Greeks’ dramatic nature that makes them put so much weight in coffee cup reading for future predictions, making them run anxiously to the coffee reader to learn what the future holds. Naturally, the reading can be interpreted based on the individual’s wishes. The fortune teller also knows what the person wishes to hear and in many cases the reading would cater to that person’s needs. No wonder then that so many Greek women claim they can read coffee cups.

Coffee cup reading during financial crisis

In these times of economic crisis, some Greeks turn more often to coffee cup readers to see what the future holds for them, mostly on financial matters.

The custom had faded over the past three decades as outdated. Furthermore, many women were afraid to say that they go to a coffee reader because that would mean they have problems. Nowadays though, the tradition is back and it is considered dignified. 

In a book called “I Tyhi Mas Sto Flitzani (Fortune in a Coffee Cup: Divination With Coffee Grounds), written by a woman who uses the pen-name “Sophia”, which also means wisdom in Greek, the steps to read the residue of a Greek coffee cup yourself are outlined as follows:

Step one

The Greek coffee should be brewed in the traditional long-handled “briki” and served in a small cup. If one wants answers to a specific question, they should be focused on the issue while sipping the brew at a leisurely pace. Overall, it’s important to savor the experience and keep an open mind.

Step two

Once the coffee is consumed, the cup should be held facing out on its side and be turned three times clock-wise, while spilling out the sludge and simultaneously spreading it around the entire surface of the cup. Whatever excess remains should be poured out from the side where the cup-handle is. The cup should then be overturned onto a napkin and left for a few minutes. Take this moment to take a deep breath and “read” what is in the cup. 

Step three

Overturn your cup and hold it upright. Keep an open mind and not try too hard to discern things. If you see something that looks like one particular symbol but not exactly, you’re probably right. How you interpret things is up to you. What looks like an eagle without feet to you may be a flying donkey to someone else – asking for a second opinion is a good option if you’re not sure. Often, the most important messages appear surprisingly clear.

Animals, initials, buildings, natural landmarks such as rivers, lakes or trees and many other things known to the human eye such as a spoon or a bicycle can all be located in the cup.

Generally, the bottom part of the cup represents people, situations, or ideas from your past, the middle part on the sides of the cup represents the present whilst the top part indicates what’s approaching in the future. Also, a symbol that appears on the cup can have  different meanings.

Good luck!