Martenitza

Martenitza

March 1

Every year on March 1, people in Bulgaria present each other with martenitzas —two joined tassels of red-and-white woolen thread resembling a simple Christmas decoration symbolizing health and happiness. The custom originated with the ancient Thracians, and the first martenitzas had silver or gold coins attached to them. Today it is most widespread in Bulgaria, although the Martenitza is also celebrated in southern Romania, Albania, Greece, and Cyprus.
The rites are varied. In some regions, women dress completely in red on this day. In northeastern Bulgaria, the lady of the house traditionally tosses a red cloth over a fruit tree, or spreads a red woolen cloth on the fields for fertility. In stock-breeding areas, a red-and-white thread is tied to the cattle. Bulgaria is the only country where this particular fertility custom seems to have survived. In Greece the "March" is tied to the wrist or big toe of children to protect them from the March sun. They remove it when they see the first swallow or stork, signs of springtime. On Cyprus it is hoped that one's skin will be as red (healthy) as the string. In Canada, Bulgarian-Macedonians throw the string out for the first robins to use in their nests.
See also Drymiais

SOURCES:
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 197

Celebration day: Mar 1