The First of March is an ancient Bulgarian holyday. Every year on this day Bulgarians give to their friends and close ones martenitzas – an ornament from red and white threads, which is attached on the left side of clothes near to the heart. It’s a symbol of happiness and health.

The legend tells, that when ancient Bulgarians reached the Danube plain, its beauty made a great impression on them. And they choose this place to kindle heathen fire. They trusted, that Tangra, their God, would choose those who would be under his protection around this fire. The holiday began. A lot of people gathered. They brought vegetables, fruits and animals. The bleating of the rams and calf lowing was carried on all over the place. The women baked bread, the men supported the fire and fried on broaches large pieces of meat. There had been bread and meat for all of them, wine and magic mead lifted the mood. And the flame of the fire rose all above and above.

Only the Khan was gloomy. He didn’t have the curative grass that grew in his native steppe. On ancient custom he had to put it next to the sacrificial gifts. He had to thank Tangra for this land as the custom of his ancestors required. That’s why the great Khan, the leader of the army in many battles, who triumphed over Byzantines, was sad. He desperately sighed and tears filled his eyes. Suddenly, unexpected for everyone a gaily-coloured bird flown to him. It was an ordinary bird, but started to talk in a human voice:

" Don’t be sad, great Khan. I have fast and strong wings. I flew all the long way with You to help You in difficult moments. Fasten on my neck a white thread, I will fly back to Volga, to your sister and will give her regards from You and Your  men"

The Khan fastened white thread to the neck of this surprising bird, and she flew off to the sky and soon hid away from his look.

Time passed and the bird came back. Extremely tired, almost without strength, but joyful, she alight on the Khan’s shoulder. Again she started talking in a human voice:

"Be joyful my great Khan! Untie the white thread and take the green sprig herb. Also You will find a red thread - greeting from Your sister and Your relatives. "

The Khan took the sprig herb and gave it as a gift to his God. And he kept for himself the white and red threads, trusting that they will bring him health and happiness.

Nowadays martenitzas serve as an amulet that keeps those who wear them from misfortune and unhappiness. According to the custom people wear martenitzas until they see swallow, stork or a blooming tree. Some tie their martenitzas to a branch of a flowering fruit-bearing tree with wishes for health, success and abundance. Others throw theirs in a river to wash away the bad things.

 By their nature the customs and rituals connected with the first of  March present original magic practices that aim to stimulate growing in the nature during coming spring time and to provide health and happiness to the people during coming summer.

The martenitza is a magic that protects against evil and attracts good; a magic that initiate a new life. We are ready to give as a present the magic power of the Bulgarian martenitza to all the people of the world.

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