![]() In Ancient times, Mars was the god of war but was also the guardian of the spring. In some myths, this tradition has been attributed to the god Mars, otherwise known as Ares by the Greeks. Like the holiday itself, the tradition of wearing red & white is buried in folklore as well. If it wasn’t clean, then she wouldn’t come and winter would stick around. In this legend, Baba Marta wouldn’t visit a person’s house unless it was clean. When she was angry: the skies became overcast, the wind grew cold and winter lasted all that much longer. When she was happy: the sun came out, the winds were balmy and the skies were blue. One minute she’s happy and the next minute she’s very angry, which would be fine if her temperament didn’t directly influence the weather. In one legend, Granny March (Baba Marta) is seen as a woman who is a little bit off of her rocker. ![]() While the truth behind this holiday may be hidden behind the mists of time, there are quite a few legends surrounding how this holiday originated. Regardless of its origin, however, it is known that it is probably one of the ancient traditions that formed on the Balkan Peninsula and is probably related to ancient agricultural cults. Some people have even speculated that it may even go all the way back to Ancient Greece or Rome. While no one knows exactly the origin of Baba Marta, it is known that it goes back centuries – perhaps, even millennium. The Romanian holiday Mărțișor is a variant of Baba Marta.Bulgaria (Observance) History of Baba Marta It also resembles the German tradition of hanging empty eggs in blossoming trees during the (now Christian) Eastern folklore and the Persian tradition of hanging fruit in trees at midwinter. The Bulgarian tradition resembles folklore known in parts of Asia and South America, to wear a lucky bringing friendship bracelet around the wrist until it wears out. Some people then tie their martenitsa to a tree, others place it under a rock and based on what they find there the next morning guess what kind of a year this one would be. People wear martenitsa for a certain period, the end of which usually is connected with the first signs of spring birds like storks or swallows. Children usually compete who will get the most. The martenitsa comes in all shapes and sizes - from building packages to strings on a newborn's arm. In ancient times women’s wedding dresses were red. Red represents the woman and health: it is a sign of blood, conception and birth. ![]() Later, under the influence of Christian mythology it began to indicate integrity and virginity – white is the color of Christ. The white color first symbolized man, the power light solar zone. In the small villages in the mountains people decorate their houses, kids and domestic animals. They are given away to friends and family and are worn around the wrist or on clothes. Martenitsi are red and white coloured bands or figurines that symbolise health and happiness, a lucky charm against evil spirits. Martenitsi Martenitsi, hung on fruit tree in blossom, Bulgaria. The beach was named after the Baba Marta. ![]() This story can also be found in German folklore, for instance in the "Frau Holle" or Mother Hulda legend.īaba Marta Beach is a beach on the southern coast of Nelson Island, an Island off of Antarctica. One says that on that day she does her pre-spring cleaning and shakes her mattress for the last time before the next winter - all the feathers that come out of it pour on Earth like snow - the last snow of the year. As folklore there are different versions of the Baba Marta tale. The tradition of giving friends red-and-white interwoven strings brings health and happiness during the year and is a reminder that spring is near.īaba Marta ("Grandma March") is believed to be a feisty lady who always seems to be grudging at her two brothers, January and February, while the sun only comes out when she smiles. Bulgarians celebrate on March 1 a centuries-old tradition and exchange martenitsi on what is called the day of Baba Marta.
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