Baba Marta Day is celebrated on the 1st of March by Bulgarians of all ages. It is a beloved custom that marks the arrival of spring and bids farewell to winter. On this day, people exchange martenitsas – small decorations made of red and white threads – symbolizing health, good fortune and happiness.
What are ‘Martenitsas’?
Martenitsas come in different shapes and sizes, but they are most commonly worn as bracelets. They can also take the form of pom-poms, necklaces, or other decorative designs that can be attached to one’s clothes. Traditionally, they are made of natural materials such as wool or cotton, further strengthening the connection to nature. The red thread represents health, bravery, and fertility, while the white symbolises purity, beauty, and new beginnings. Often, people also include additional decorations such as beads or small shells when crafting a martenitsa.
The legend of Pizho and Penda
One of the most popular iterations of the martenitsa is a pair of small yarn dolls. They are called Pizho and Penda, who are folklore characters. Pizho was the bravest young man in his village, while Penda was the most beautiful lady. This is why Pizho is traditionally white, while Penda is red. However, a darker tale tells the story of a childless couple who were blessed with a son and daughter — Pizho and Penda — after offering shelter to an old woman who predicted the birth of their children. When the old lady later returned to claim them, the mother tried to protect them. However, the witchturned Penda into a cherry tree, and Pizho froze while hugging the tree. Upon his return home, the father discovered a cherry tree whose branches were intertwined with white and red threads. As a result, there are different versions of the martenitsa, with Penda sometimes represented in red and Pizho in white.
The ritual of wearing and removing Martenitsas
Bulgarians wear their martenitsa until they see a stork, a migratory bird whose return signals the true arrival of spring. According to local superstitions, if the stork is flying, the person who sees it will be hardworking and productive throughout the year. However, if the stork is in its nest, it suggests that the person will be lazy. Once a stork is spotted, people remove their martenitsa and tie it to a blooming tree, which is believed to bring health and luck to the tree. As a result, it is common to see trees across Bulgaria adorned with red and white threads during March.
Who is Baba Marta?
The name Baba Marta comes from the Bulgarian words “baba” (баба) meaning grandmother and “Mart” (Март) meaning March. Baba Marta is also a mythical figure in Bulgarian folklore, often portrayed as an elderly woman with a fickle temperament, much like the unpredictable weather of early spring. When she is happy, the sun shines, but when she is angry, cold winds and snow return.
Some people say that she is the sister of two other characters, Big Sechko and Little Sechko, who represent the months of January and February. January is called Big Sechko because it has more days than February. Interestingly, Sechko comes from the Bulgarian word for cutting (seka – сека).
In the past, people would go to the forests to gather wood for warmth. Sometimes, even work in the fields was “cut” because it was too cold for villagers to work. Others say that when Baba Marta shakes her feather blankets, feathers fall, which are believed to be the last snowflakes of winter.
