Martenitsa

There are lots of legends about the origin of the martenitsa. All of them are related to Khan Asparukh and the establishment of the Bulgarian state in 681 AD. One of the stories tells that when the Bulgars reached the Danubian Plain they got spellbound by the beautiful site and decided to settle here. After declaring the Bulgarian State the Khan decided to make an offering to god Tangra. Following the traditions he had to light the pile with a bundle of dried dill. However the Bulgars could not find any dill around. While thinking what to do, a falcon alighted on Khan Asparukh’s shoulder. A bundle of dill was bound on its leg with a red-white thread. Houba, the sister of Asparukh, who remained in their father’s palace, had a dream and saw her brother’s trouble. So she sent her falcon with a bundle of dill tied with a white woolen thread. During the flight however the falcon’s wing rubbed sore and blood coloured the thread. So Khan Asparukh received the bundle with a red-white thread. He lighted the fire and hung the thread on himself believing it would bring him health. Since, on March 1 all Bulgarians give their beloved a twisted red-white thread. This unique Bulgarian tradition is called martenitsa after the month of March, in Bulgarian Mart, when according to people’s beliefs the spring begins. There is another popular belief related to March 1. It says that today one may think of a day between March 1 and 22. When the day comes, one can tell what the whole year will be. If the chosen day is sunny and warm – the year will be good and successful.