March 1st…Chestita Baba Marta!!!

As a Bulgarian, Baba Marta has to be one of my favorite Bulgarian traditions so I figured to try to popularize it:)  Here is the Intel – every year on march 1st Bulgarian people wish each other good health and exchange red and white yarn adornments that (to my knowledge) symbolize good health and also the new beginnings that come with the new spring season. These adornments are called Martenitsa (in English it is sometimes spelled martenitza also). They vary from very simple and rustic to very jewelry-like, to kid-character versions but they always have the red-white yarn in common. Baba Marta means Grandma Martha essentially and she is known to be named after the month of March and be as moody as the month itself. We Bulgarians wear the Martenitsas usually all month or sometimes more (or less). Tradition says to tie the martenitza on a tree once you see a stork. The stork is proof that spring has finally arrived and the tree action is said to help the tree thrive. So I think some pretty cool arguments all around:) Happy Spring!!!

P.S. Click on the photos for more martenitsa write-ups and information.