1^st March

On the first of March and the first few days after, Bulgarians give to one another white and red tassels or small wool dolls called “Martenitsi". Additionally, in Bulgarian folklore the name Mart is related to a grumpy old lady whose mood shifts very rapidly. Her name is Grandma Marta, in Bulgarian — Baba Marta.

This pagan tradition has remained almost the same today as it was when it began. Today Bulgarians give one another the red and white colours to please Baba Marta so that she will not make winter last. In doing so, they hope the spring will come as soon as possible. Many people wear more than one martenitsa, which they have received as presents from relatives, close friends and colleagues. The tradition calls for wearing the martenitsa until the person spots a stork for the first time in the season. This bird is considered a harbinger of spring and is evidence that Baba Marta has been pleased and is about to retire.

The ritual of finally taking off the martenitsa may be different in the different parts of Bulgaria. Some people would tie their martenitsa on a branch of a fruit tree, thus giving this tree the health and luck. Others would put the martenitsa under a stone with the idea that the kind of the creature (usually an insect) closest to the token the next day will determine the person's health for the rest of the year. If the creature is a larva ,ant or a worm, the coming year will be healthy, and full of success. If the creature near the token is a spider, then the person is in trouble and might lack enough luck, health, or personal success.

The martenitsa is also a stylized symbol of Mother Nature. At that early-spring/late-winter time of the year, Nature seems full of hopes and expectations. The white symbolizes the purity of the melting white snow and the red symbolizes the setting of the sun which becomes more and more intense as spring progresses. These two natural resources are prerequisites for life. They are also associated with the male and female beginnings.

Decorating oneself with one or more martenitsi is a very typical and extremely popular Bulgarian tradition. The martenitsa symbolises new life, conception, fertility, and spring. The time when it is worn is meant to be a joyful holiday commemorating health and long life. The colours of the martenitsa are interpreted as symbols of purity and life, as well as the need for harmony in Nature and in people's lives.

This is only one of the many legends, and perhaps not even the best known one, attempting to offer an explanation (in this case a rather implausible one) of how the tradition of creating and wearing martenitsa arose.

Khan Kubrat’s five sons went hunting accompanied by their sister Houba. When they reached the River Danube they saw a silver stag. Mesmerized the men did not dare shoot an arrow at him. The stag crossed over to the opposite bank of the river showing them there was a ford.

A bird flew to them bringing bad tidings. The founder of Great Bulgaria was on his death bed. In his last hours Kubrat wanted to bring home to his offspring -Bayan, Kotrag, Asparoukh, Kuber and Altsek not to sever the still tenuous link between the different Bulgarian tribes. His sons vowed to defend Bulgaria.

Soon after their father’s death, the Khazars invaded their lands. The Khazar`s Khan Ashiba succeeded in conquering the capital Ababa, Houba, Kubrat`s daughter was taken prisoner Ashiba. Wishing to give her brothers a chance to opt for freedom, Houba tried to commit suicide. However the guards stopped her.

Her brothers kept their vows in different ways. Bayan stayed with his sister and recognized the supremacy of the Khazars. Kotrag went northwards, to the River Volga, while Asparoukh, Kuber and Altsek went south to search for a land without oppressors.

They secretly arranged it with Houba to send her word by a golden thread tied to the leg of a bird, whenever they were able to find a free land.

One day a falcon sent by Asparoukh flew into Houba’s room. Bayan and Houba had decided to leave secretly. Just as they were looking for where to cross the river Danube, pursuers spotted them and overtook them. Trying to find a ford, Houba let the falcon free. She had tied a white thread to his leg and handed it to her brother.

When the bird was about to take off, an enemy arrow pierced Bayan and warm blood drops stained the white thread.

Nevertheless, both Bayan and Houba managed to reach the land Asparoukh had found. Asparoukh welcomed his dying brother and his sister. He tore pieces of white-and-red stained thread and adorned his soldiers with them.