Baba Marta is believed to be a strange old woman with a bad mood. People wear martenitsi, these adornments made of red and white yarn, to ask from Baba Marta for mercy. If the old lady is merciful she will let winter end soon so for the spring to come faster. In Bulgarian folklore, martenitsa is only gifted from friends and family and you must wear it until you see the first signs of spring, that is to see a migrating bird getting back or a blossom tree. The same tradition appears in most Balkan countries. Specifically in Greece, young children wear a red and white bracelet made of yarn to prevent becoming sunburned from sun.
Photo taken at Sofia, Bulgaria
9 comments
Comment by nliviti
nliviti April 22, 2017 at 16:50
Awesome!
Comment by traviewler
traviewler April 22, 2017 at 16:51
@nliviti
Comment by svetlana_sao
svetlana_sao April 22, 2017 at 16:59
Знаемо)))
Comment by ivanasataric
ivanasataric April 22, 2017 at 18:57
I love how we can get some great and interesting info from your photos
Comment by traviewler
traviewler April 22, 2017 at 19:13
@svetlana_sao
Comment by traviewler
traviewler April 22, 2017 at 19:14
@anastasia_beaverhouzenn Thank you
Comment by ggfra_soul
ggfra_soul April 23, 2017 at 14:42
Wonderful pic
Comment by traviewler
traviewler April 23, 2017 at 15:11
@ggfra_soul ty
Comment by smarolena
smarolena May 13, 2017 at 14:04
Όμορφη επεξήγηση!! Είναι γιορτή μεγάλη για τους κατοίκους της Βουλγαρίας η πρώτη ημέρα της Άνοιξης!!