martenitsi-martis

Well we'd like to say a big thanks to the Bulgarians for their idea to share their custom with us.....!!

We took the beautiful bracelets on Wednesday, in our Comenius meeting, and since then we're wearing them all the time........Hope that it will give us luck!!

But I have to say that in Greece we have a similar custom, called Martis( it has taken its name from the greek name of march). We make bracelets and other jewellery and wear them all month long. When the month ends and April comes, we cut them and usually throw them on the roofs of houses or on trees.... The custom has it that they are then found by birds and used to constuct their nests..... They are made of red and white cotton.............It is said that anywhere who wears it is not burnt from the sun!
Anyway, whether it is Martis or Martenitsi it gives you luck, so we are happy to wear one of these!!