Simpatias

Simpatias are a family of folk magical practices found in Iberian and Latin American cultures, based on sympathetic magic—the idea that like affects like and that symbols and objects can influence events. They are typically ritualized actions or formulas intended to bring about desired outcomes, such as love, protection, health, or luck. They usually involve ordinary items, words, or signs and are often performed privately or within families.

The practices are transmitted orally across generations and vary by region. They fuse influences from Catholicism, African diasporic religions, Indigenous beliefs, and local customs. In Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and many Latin American countries, simpatias are part of everyday folk religion and are commonly integrated with devotional practices. They may employ colors, days of the week, herbs, or objects associated with the target outcome, reflecting symbolic correspondences.

Common features include the use of tangible objects (candles, herbs, coins, ribbons), spoken formulas or chants, and ritual timing aligned with symbolic meanings. Simpatias tend to be informal, low-cost, and rely on personal experience and belief rather than formal doctrine, allowing individuals to adapt practices to local contexts.

Scholarly and cultural perspectives view simpatias as a form of vernacular spirituality and cultural folklore. They are studied in anthropology and history as expressions of how communities negotiate belief, agency, and uncertainty. Today, simpatias persist in popular culture and continue to be passed down through generations, often coexisting with formal religious practices.