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Thanks for the great link, Nan. I noticed a few variations in the customs of Buldarian "Martenitsa" vs the Greek "Martis". First the similarities: in both cases they are worn on March 1, and the custom is quite ancient. In Greece, however, I have never heard of the stork bit, nor do ve hang them on trees. They are supposed to be an amulet to protect people for Helios who in March had quite a "bite". In antiquity, Greeks wore them until the festival of spring, when they would throw them in the sacrificial pyre. With the advent of Christianity, the "Martis" is worn until it is placed around the neck of the skewered lambs eaten at Easter.

• names used for... birth prevention - Ivayla  Dec 28 2001, 12:49:29 AM
  • "Finis", as in Jefferson Finis Davis... - Nanaea  Dec 28 2001, 7:08:29 PM
    • Aristotle and Hestia! - Pavlos  Dec 29 2001, 4:22:32 AM
  • Re: names used for... birth prevention - Pavlos  Dec 28 2001, 1:39:48 PM
    • Re: names used for... birth prevention - Ivayla  Dec 29 2001, 3:45:25 PM
      • Re: names used for... birth prevention - Pavlos  Dec 29 2001, 5:17:36 PM
        • There goes the traditionally Bulgarian "martenitsa" :)... n/t - Ivayla  Dec 30 2001, 4:18:04 AM
          • I just had to check this out... - Nanaea  Dec 31 2001, 6:43:14 AM
            • Cool link and a quite accurate one :) n/t - Ivayla  Jan 1 2002, 5:51:01 AM
            • Re: I just had to check this out... - Pavlos  Dec 31 2001, 8:56:09 AM
    • PS - Pavlos  Dec 28 2001, 1:48:27 PM
      • Re: PS - Ivayla  Dec 29 2001, 4:11:34 PM
        • Mike C check this out :) n/t - Pavlos  Dec 29 2001, 5:11:03 PM