Martenitsa - A Love Story

When March arrives, you will see red and white threads wrapped around the wrists of all your friends, perhaps all over the city. You can say Martenitsa season has arrived. This article is written and inspired by two amazing women Dilek Arman and Ozlem Kabasakal.

"Martenitsa is an ornament made of white and red wool, worn from March 1st until the end of March. Traditional Baba Marta (Grandma Marta) days begin on the occasion of the arrival of spring. Baba Marta is a tradition specific to Bulgaria, dating back to ancient times. On this day, Bulgarians give their relatives and friends symbols called “martenitsa” as gifts with the wish for health and strength throughout the year. According to tradition, martenitsas are carried until they see a swallow or a stork. This holiday is celebrated in Bulgarian as “Cestita Baba Marta!” Baba Marta - Marta Grandma is one of the most respected traditions preserved to this day. These ornaments are also worn on fruit trees, houses and pets. In this way, wishes are made for the new agricultural year to be fruitful and productive. A martenitsa tied to a blossoming tree is a symbol of the approaching spring. The first martenitsas were made of only red and white threads, without using any other ornaments or details, and were worn by people and animals to protect them from the evil eye. In some regions, gold or silver coins were tied to this twisted red and white string, which was used as a symbol to protect against diseases. Another martenitsa tied to a tree also shows itself in the beauty and aesthetic sense of the people, in later periods. Martenitsas, which were previously made of red and white wool, were given different shapes such as tassels, balls, and people. The most important shapes in the history of martenitsas are the puppets made of red and white rope known as “Pijo and Penda”. The white color used in martenitsas symbolizes long life, while the red color symbolizes health and strength." - Ozlem Kabasakal They say; Baba Marta (Grandma Marta) was living with her storks. When she smiled, the sun was shining, when she was sad, the sun is covered by clouds. She had 2 brothers - January and February. And because of these two brothers she never met the love of her life. When she lost the faith in love her storks started to look for something to make her happy and believe in love. One day, when the legendary love story of two people named Pijo and Penda started to be talked about in a village, the villagers gave this news to the storks. The storks immediately told Baba Marta about this beautiful love story. And from that day on, when March comes, until people see the storks, bracelets are worn that would make Pijo and Penda eternal. From the first days of March with love <3 Sanem.