Martenitsi must be made of two twisted threads in red and white. In some areas of the country, the threads are only red, and in others - multicolored, but mainly red. According to folk beliefs, the red colour bears the strength of the sun, and gives life to all living things. The first Martenitsi were made of only twisted red and white thread, without decoration. In some areas, a gold or silver coin was tied to the threads for protection against sickness. The folk sense of beauty which creates original works of art appeared later. Martenitsi usually made of woolen yarn are in the form of coins, balls, tassels, etc. Those made from textile are very diverse: paired red and white squares, snake-like plaits, four-square pieces in the form of a cube, bored coins decorated with woolen yam, and the original dools, Pizho and Penda. Martenitsi are worn until the trees blossom, or the storks return from the winter sojourn in the south. Then they are buried or hung on trees. Not only people wear Martenitsi - fruit trees and domestic animals also wear them. The wish is the same: for strength and health.

The traditions which take place in March are interesting and they are directly connected with Martenitsi. On the first day of the month, householders carefully avoid putting black cauldrons in the fireplace so that there won't be any diseases in the wheat and corn. The superstition has remained that wheat bread must be baked, covered with honey and carried around the house, so that sicknesses will e found and exorcised. In some areas of Bulgaria, householders put red cloth on one of the fruit trees in the garden at dawn to cheer up Baba Martha. In other areas, they tie red wool onto the keyholes of the doors, on the fruit trees, on milk churns and on the horns of the domestic animals, and in yet other areas - the eldest woman in the house wears only red clothes. This is where the folk belief that Baba Martha is a merry old woman who visits people and crops dressed in red overalls with a red headscarf and red socks comes from. Like all women, though, she is fickles and easily offended, and that's why the Bulgarians take care to fulfill all the requirements of the tradition. Whether Baba Martha is pleased or not with people can be seen from the weather during the month.

Today, when March 1st approaches, groaning stalls can be seen everywhere on the streets. Tradition has been adapted: Children's Martenitsi often appear as favorite characters from cartoons, and in other cases as garish decorations are turned into a red and white hair tie, used as a bracelet. Bulgarians like giving MArtenitsi, and foreigners like to receive them. In any case, the present is a sincere gesture of friendship and a wish for health and success. Why don't you do this?