Let me show you one very traditional market - the martenitsa market.

First of March is one of the most beloved Bulgarian holidays.

We all wear martenitsa, pronounced [ˈmartɛnit͡sa], made of red and white strings on the wrist or neck, or as a badge. Weeks before 1st of March, the martenitsa markets appeared everywhere, because everybody is buying these small presents for their friends, relatives and colleagues with best wishes for health.

The red colour symbolizes health, vitality and the white – purity and innocence.
March is represented like an old woman – Granny Marta as they called it. Also it was believed that her temper changed very often and that is why the weather could change so quickly either. Our grandmothers were telling us stories how Granny Marta is giving us the martenitsa. It was supposed to be kept until we see the first stork. Then we put it on a tree branch or under the stone.

There are legends for the origin of the martentsa and why the colours are red and white. One tells the story of the first Bulgarian ruler khan Asparuh, who got a message from his sister. It was a small bunch of herbs tied to the leg of a bird with white woolen string. During the flight the bird got hurt and blood covered the string. So it turned out that the herbs were tied in red and white.
Some may tell you different story and as many legends tend to be told in different ways.
All and all the simple strings became more elaborate as different objects can be embedded – like beads, or to use different materials.

Also you may find some big enough to decorate your house. And we decorated our office too.

As most of them are handmade, the imagination got no limits. Sellers usually are the ones who made them and can tell you what techniques they were using.
As you may guess at the end of the day we have more than one martentsa and this is my wrist, covered with so many.

#marketfriday is initiated by @dswigle. And as it is still Thursday I am a day earlier. And it is because it is the First of March and I would like to wish you all the very best and above all health and hapiness! I give you this virtual martenitsa for luck!

Happy First of March

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All images were takens with my smartphone.
Original content and images.