March

 

Red and white Martis (March) bracelets to welcome Spring

A greek tradition. No feasting or fasting involved.

These red and white bracelets protect the wearer from the fierce (?) Spring sunshine.

This tradition began thousands of years ago and is still strong today.

The colours, red and white, celebrated Persephone's return from the Underworld, rebirth and new growth.

It's celebrated in a similar way all over the Balkans.  In the northern hemisphere summer is not far away

My girls and then my grandchildren made these bracelets at school every March 1st twisting red and white thread. They are supposed to wear them till 31st March

  At the end of the month or at the sight of the first swallow the thread is to be tossed in a tree for the swallows of spring to find and weave into their nests. K says the tradition here is to throw it up onto the roof tiles. 

Last year I hung mine on the lemon tree where it remained till the winds of winter. We have lots of swallows but they don't build their nests anywhere close by

A pinch and a punch for the 4th of the month. And no returns 

A traditional recipe for Lent