In Bulgaria on the first few days of March, people exchange and wear red tassels, small dolls called Pizho and Penda or red and white woven threads. These altogether are called Martenitsa. They symbolize the wish for good health and are heralds of the coming spring.
Martenitsi are worn by people until the end of March or the first time an individual sees a stork, swallow or budding tree. The name of the holiday is Baba Marta which translated in English means Grandma March. In Bulgarian folklore she is a grumpy old lady whose mood changes very rapidly.
It is an old pagan tradition that has remained almost unchanged. People believe that by wearing the red and white colors of the Martenitsa they ask Baba Marta for mercy. They hope that this way winter would give way to spring. The stork and the blooming tree are signs that Baba Marta is in a good mood and is about to retire. That means that spring is coming soon.
After people take their Martenitsa off, they usually hang it on a branch of a fruit tree with the believe that this act would bring it health and luck.
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