to occupy themselves with and such traditions are taken very seriously from the oldest grandma to the youngest child.
While I enjoy all green traditions the one which sticks out to me the most is one which symbolizes the beginning of spring. On the first day of March the Greeks wear a white and red bracelet made by thread which is called «Martaki». This bracelet is to be worn on one’s wrist throughout the entire month with the intention of protecting them against the extreme weather conditions of March along with avoiding getting burnt by the sun. What is really interesting about this tradition, is that it is shared among most other countries in the Balkans, tightening the already close bonds between them. Even so, this custom changes and adapts accordingly, so while wearing the bracelet is a shared action, the meaning of the bracelet changes from country to country.
This custom has its origins in ancient times and has been celebrated by generations hundreds of years before us. There is a belief that it’s s custom rooted in mythology, where the God “Sun” who came down on earth to partake in a celebration was kidnapped by a dragon and lost the ability to shine his light and radiate warmth to the world. Some adolescents fought the dragon and freed the God, and it is said that the red and white bracelet symbolizes the blood of the dragon on the snow, which then melted and created a rich soil for flowers and crops to grow. Others believe the white thread symbolizes the melting snow, while the red thread the setting sun, which is a common change in climate we witness during spring. After the bracelet is taken off so say to hang the bracelet on a tree once the first signs of spring are seen, so the swallows can take it and use it for the creation of their nests.
There really is no known origin of this tradition. What truly is mesmerizing, is how even if we are unsure of its true meaning, we have given it a new one, one of purity and anticipation of the coming of spring! I cannot imagine my childhood without me impatiently waiting for the first of March so my grandma could help me make bracelets for me and my friends, and then going to school excited to give them away. It is a custom not associated with the church, so there are really no hesitations to pay attention to if you are not of orthodox beliefs and are visiting or located in Greece!
Argyro Marinou, B3
