N 13 Bulgarian traditional decoration Martenitsa

We offer you the most spread and typical martenitsa decoration Pijo and Penda. It is to be worn on clothing and makes an excellent gift for your dearest ones. Entirely HANDMADE! Size: 5 cm / 2"

During the month of March Bulgarian people wear red-and-white decorations called martenitsas.

Martenitsas are given to loved ones, friends, and those people we feel close to. They are worn on clothing, or around the wrist or neck.

This is unique Bulgarian tradition, which is considered of pagan origin and is mostly associated with the Thracian people who inhabited the Bulgarian lands a long time ago (their first appearance on today's Bulgarian lands can be dated to some thousand years B.C.)

The tradition is that on 1st March and the days after, Bulgarians give to each other interesting strips, braces, dolls and necklaces, colored in red and white (in some regions blue treads are added to protect one from evil eyes). This is done to please the so-called "Granny March" (Baba Marta) who is part of Bulgarian folklore stories and is notorious for her fickleness and abrupt change of moods. The month of March is named after her and it is interesting to know that Bulgarians call it "women's month" because of the variety of weather changes and weather unpredictability.

But this is not all. Martenitsa also symbolizes new life, conception, fertility, and the beginning of spring. It is a symbol of joy, health and long life, too. The martenitsa is also interpreted as an artistic image of nature. This interesting decoration symbolizes the purity of the white snow going away and the red settings of the sun becoming more and more intensive with the coming of spring.
Last but not least, red color is believed to have the magic power to chase away evil spirits, demons and illnesses, for it is thought to have magical power.

Mind you bying these Martenitsas you support preservation and development of Bulgarian traditional folk art!