Big paper martenitsas

These big martenitsas are easy and quick to make.

You will need two A4 sheets of paper – white and red.

Fold each of the sheets by the middle (lengthwise).

Draw 10-12 equal lines as shown above.

Cut them with scissors.

Glue both ends.

Finally, just shape the circle.

We put a red tape to make our martenitsas more beautiful.

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.

 See more ideas for Bulgarian martenitsa in KROKOTAK: