The “Martis” (March) is a very old custom which is common custom among the peoples of the Balkans. The custom of “Martis” (the twisted white and red thread, which people wear in the right hand to prevent them from sun burn) is believed to have originated in ancient Greece (Eleusinian Mysteries) where mystics tied a thread to their right hand.

According to the tradition, the “Martis” is made the last day of February and worn from March 1st until the end of the month. At the end of the month, remove and hang on the branches of a rose blooming to donate and let the first swallows get it to their nest.

A story…

In ancient times, the March was the first month of the year. A shenanigan he did against the other months (his brothers) was the reason to get January the leadership.

Once upon a time the twelve months decided to create wine in a barrel so they can drink whenever they want. So March said “I will throw the first grape must to barrel to make wine and then it’s your turn.” The other months agreed.

When grape must became wine March said “I threw first the grape must, I will drink first.”
The other months agreed.

So March opened a little hole at the bottom of barrel, and began to drink. He drank all the wine and did not leave or drop.

Then came the turn of April to go to drink wine but he finds it empty. April gets angry and said it to the other months. When other months heard about that they get angry and they were wondering what to do.

So everyone agrees January to punish March which was the elder brother. Then January beat the hell out of him. He removed him also the primacy to enter every year in March, and start the year in January.

Since then March when remembers the game that played to his brothers and drank more wine, laughs and the weather is sunny. When he remembers the punishment, he cries and it rains.