11/29/2023 0 Comments Martenitsa baba marta![]() ![]() Traditionally, the Martenitsa has always been a unique amulet that was believed to provide protection from the powers of evil. The women’s wedding dresses and traditional costumes used to be red once upon a time. The red color in the Martenitsa was chosen to represent health and the woman’s nature – it is a sign of blood, conception, and birth. Later influenced by Christian mythology, it became the symbol of virginity and virtuousness – the white color is the color of Christ. The white color of the Martenitsa initially symbolized the human nature, the strength, and the light solar zone. The red-and-white woolen token called “Martenitsa”, after the name of the month “Mart” is the very sign of the coming March – the symbol of the wakening of the earth for a new life as well as the cult to the Sun. March is traditionally believed to be the only “female” month of the year – the month of conception of spring, the month of land giving birth to summer and fruitfulness. Her dual image of both merry and mischievous, of simultaneously approving and denying character, represents the woman as the beginning of life as well as the elemental devastating beginning at large. According to the typically Bulgarian belief, spring comes with the arrival of “Baba Marta”. She is popular all around Bulgaria as “Grandmother Martha” (or “Baba Marta” in Bulgarian ). ![]() March 1st is known as the “Baba Marta” Day in Bulgaria – so, on the very March 1st, as well as the days following, all people give each other red-and-white tokens in the form of strips, ornaments or a pair of small woollen dolls, traditionally called “Pizho” (the male character) and “Penda” (the female one), also known by the name Martenitsas.Īccording to tradition, Marta (the female of the word “Mart”, the BG version of March) is an angry old lady who rapidly changes her mood from worst to best and back again. ![]()
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