Martenitsa (Bulgarian: мартеница, pronounced [ˈmartɛnit͡sa], is a ancient Bulgarian tradition of pagan times small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and worn from March 1 until around the end of March (or the first time an individual sees a stork, swallow, or budding tree). The name of the holiday is Baba Marta. Baba (баба) is the Bulgarian word for grandmother and Mart (март) is the Bulgarian word for the month of March. Baba Marta is a Bulgarian tradition related to welcoming the upcoming spring. The month of March, according to Bulgarian folklore, marks the beginning of springtime. Therefore, the first day of March is a traditional holiday associated with sending off winter and welcoming spring. Pizho and Penda (Bulgarian: Пижо и Пенда) are the names of the two small wool dolls of a typical Martenitsa. Pizho is the male doll, usually with white as its predominant color. Penda is the female doll, usually predominantly red, and is distinguished by her skirt. The red and white woven threads symbolize the wish for good health. They are the heralds of the coming of spring in Bulgaria and life in general. While white as a color symbolizes purity, red is a symbol of life and passion, and so some ethnologists have proposed that, in its very origins, the custom might have reminded people of the constant cycle of life and death, the balance of good and evil, and of the sorrow and happiness in human life.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 03:51:15 +0000
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