Friends and relatives give each other “martenitsas” for health and luck during the year. The “martenitsa” protects against diseases and bad luck. Nowadays, it is not only the shapes of the two lovers, but there are bracelets, necklaces, rings and any other artistic things that you can imagine. For many years now these tangled threads represent two fiancés Pijo and Penda. Why only white and red? The color red symbolizes health and abundance and white is purity and long life. Now you wonder what Martenitsa is? It is a special amulet made of white and red twisted yarn and is mainly used wool or cotton to make it. Very similar to its behavior is the month of March in Bulgaria.Then, with the beginning of spring, any Bulgarian in the world puts on the “Martenitsa”. She tied a twisted white and red thread to the leg of a swallow and send the bird to deliver the message for health and love.The legend tells that “Grandma Marta” is a woman with an irregular behavior, you can see her happy, sad or angry. Ahinora, while waiting for her husband, decided to send him wishes for good health and prosperity. The first martenitsa was made by Ahinora, the wife of Khan Asparuh (the founder of Bulgaria) in the second half of the seventh century, when Asparuh crossed the Danube and found the Bulgarian lands. By wearing the red and white colours of the Martenitsa, our predecessors asked Baba Marta for mercy. The belief was that when she was smiling the weather was sunny and warm, but if she got angry the cold would stay longer. According to one of the many legends, this tradition is associated with the founding of the Bulgarian state in 681 AD. Baba Marta is believed to be a grumpy old lady whose moods swing very quickly and it reflects in the changeable March weather. The custom of wearing Martenitsa is probably one of the most interesting Bulgarian traditions. The housewives used to hang out red aprons, belts, rugs or twisted threads in front of their houses, hoping that when Baba Marta saw them, she would laugh and make the Sun shine bright again. They were believed to protect people from diseases and evil forces. Old women would knit twisted strands of red and white threads to decorate the house. Young would get up early before anybody else in order to meet the first day of March and rejoice Baba Marta with their youth and beauty. Young and old would take care to keep Baba Marta in a good mood. They hoped that it would make winter pass faster and bring spring. Baba Marta is believed to be a grumpy old lady whose moods swing very quickly and it reflects in the changeable March weather. In Bulgarian folklore, Baba Marta is a mythical figure who brings with her the end of the cold winter and the beginning of spring. After that people can tie them on a blossoming tree for fertility thus giving the tree health and luck, which the person wearing the Martenitsa enjoyed while wearing it. The red is associated with health, vitality, fertility and bravery.Īccording to the tradition, people wear Martenitsas for a certain period, the end of which is usually associated with the first signs of spring – seeing a stork or a fruit tree in blossom. Martenitsas come in a variety of shapes and sizes: bracelets, necklaces, tassels, pompoms and balls.The white is a symbol of purity, innocence, beauty and joy. Penda is the female doll, usually in red colour and distinguished by her skirt. Pizho is the male doll, usually in white colour. The most typical Martenitsa represents two small dolls, known as Pizho and Penda.
Martenitsa is made of twined red and white threads – woolen, silk, or cotton. In some villages in the mountains people decorate their houses and domestic animals.
The Martenitsas are given away to friends, family and colleagues and are worn around the wrist or on clothes. On that day and a few days afterwards, Bulgarians exchange and wear the so-called “Martenitsas” – decorative pieces of red and white twisted threads, symbolising health and happiness and a lucky charm against evil spirits. Every year on 1st of March, Bulgarian people celebrate a centuries-old tradition called the day of Baba Marta (baba means ‘Grandma’ and Marta means ‘March’), related to sending off the winter and welcoming the approaching spring.
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