The martenitsa is a beautiful lucky charm, an amulet. Wouldn’t it be charged with even more power, if we make it ourselves with love and imagination? In olden times the martenitsa was perceiveed as a ritual symbol which kept evil spirits at bay.

Here’s our first idea about a Baba Marta house decor. You can use bamboo skewers (they are thinner) or toothpicks (for smaller amulets) to wrap the colored yarn around. Children over 5 are well capable of winding the yarn as long as you have prepared the skewers for them. .

Tie three skewers in the middle. Start winding the yarn, following the same direction and the principle of winding around each ‘spindle’. (see photos)

Manuela sent us a photo of this wonderful creation:

What is ‘martenitsa’?

In Bulgarian folklore the month of March is often portrayed as a plump, cheerful old lady, “baba Marta”. The 1st day of her reign is celebrated with red and white ornaments in various designs – as bracelets, brooches, pom-poms… 
The origins of this ritual are lost in time, but the meaning is clear – they are luck charms you give away to wish good health (and good looks, too!) Friends, family, even pets and domestic animals get one.They are also a countdown to spring – you wear them every day until you see the first stork, or swallow, or blossoming tree. Then you take themartenitsa off and tie it to a branch.