Tradition dictates that we wear martenitsas on March 1. But what lies behind the symbolism of the two intertwined threads and why do they remain a distinctive feature of Bulgarian tradition? Learn about some interesting beliefs associated with the holiday and smile.
- The martenitsas appease Baba Marta.
Grandmother Martha was always angry and sour, because her brothers Big Sechko (January) and Little Sechko (February) every year drank the wine and left nothing for her. a17> leave anything for her. But as soon as she saw the martenitsas, she cheered up and immediately the sun shone.
- The tradition of wearing martenitsas is also associated with the legend of Khan Asparukh.
While wandering the distant Tibetan mountains, the khan mourned his home and loved ones. He shared his pain with a swallow that landed on his shoulder. The bird flew away and told Kalina about her brother’s grief for his family, and the girl, in turn, sent the swallow green grass twisted with woolen thread. When he saw the bird and the gift from his loved ones, Asparukh was so happy that he adorned his chest with the bouquet and ordered his people to tie twisted white and red threads around their necks on March 1 for health and success.
- Another belief identifies the Thracians as the founders of the tradition.
The Thracians always wore martenitsas during the spring mysteries, which marked the end of winter and the awakening of nature to new life. Orpheus himself wrapped martenitsas around his lyre. For the Thracians, the intertwined red and white threads symbolized the infinity of life and the immortality of the human spirit.
- It is not only in Bulgaria that we adorn ourselves with martenitsas.
This tradition also exists in Romania (where the martenitsa is called “mărțișor”), as well as in Moldova, Albania, North Macedonia, and some regions of Greece.
Ethnologists link this custom to pagan fertility cults, which were extremely widespread in the Balkan Peninsula since ancient times. In Greece, tradition dictates that a woolen braided thread be tied around the right hand and left foot.
- Martenitsas have different names.
The various names for martenitsa in different parts of Bulgaria are also interesting. In Blagoevgrad and Dobrich, it is simply called “Marta,” in Central Northern Bulgaria – “gadaluška,” and in Northwestern Bulgaria, it is often called “kitisca” or “martinka.”
Source: bulgarkamagazine.com
The entire V-Gas team wishes you a happy March 1st! Be healthy and loved!