Wreathes made of green twigs and bright flowers are typical of the spring traditions of Bulgarians.

    The lyrics of one ritual song go that the bouquets of bright flowers shine like the sun, and the wreaths – like the moon. The comparison is an indication of the reverence and respect people have for flowers and green twigs, intertwined in wreaths or made into bouquets. With their beauty and freshness, when spring comes, they warm the hearts and inspire hope of a new life – just as the spring sun does. And in their mysterious effect on people, the wreaths and bouquets are like the moon. There is another similarity with the two celestial orbs – in that they too are round – a symbol of the eternal circle of life.

   This symbolism is to be found in one ritual song about a lass’s wreath, which never withers or dries – spring and autumn, winter and summer. It is the Bulgarian custom to intertwine into the wreath evergreen twigs – holly, pine and ivy. By a tradition, the spring ritual wreathes are kept throughout the year.
     Picking flowers and making wreathes is a ritual in itself, which is a part of all spring feast days – from Annunciation until Palm Sunday, from Easter until Saint George’s day and right up to Midsummer day. Preparations start before dawn on the feast day. Unmarried girls and young brides, sometimes even unmarried men, go out to pick flowers and twigs from the forest or the fields around the village. The ritual of making the wreaths is accompanied by special ritual songs. They give all necessary “instructions” – what herbs and flowers to pick, what powers each of these flowers possesses, what the function of the wreathes is. There are set rules about the wreaths on each of the different feast days and they are rooted in the different beliefs and ritual practices. “A young lass is picking dewy flowers, to make a green wreathe” – goes one song about girls rituals on Saint Lazarus day. While a song about Saint George’s day tells the story of the girls from one village, gathering at the crack of dawn to go and look for herbs “where the nightingale picks herbs”, so that they may make Saint George’s day wreathes out of them. The song mentions three kinds of wild flowers the girls must pick, and use to plait three ritual wreathes. The first is for the first sheep that will be ritually milked; the second wreath is for the pail the first spring milk will go into, and the third – for the Saint George’s day lamb. According to a midsummer day’s belief, the herb pickers must follow the route of the tortoises. It is believed, that only they know how to find a magic flower that will open all doors and unlock all secrets. The spring wreathes must also include what is called the “dragon’s herb”. According to popular belief, this is a herb that will ward off dragons, who come in springtime to abduct young girls and brides. Children also wear wreathes of wild geranium pinned on their clothes, so that they will be healthy – another ritual song goes. The twigs, tied in a circle, and used as the base for the wreath, into which flowers are intertwined also have their symbolism. Wild briar or rose twigs must be used for this, because their thorns have the magic power of keeping evil forces away from people. The red thread used to tie the wreath together has the same function.
    The spring wreaths are an amalgamation of a host of beliefs, connected with each element - be it a flower, a herb or a twig. Together, they create the colourful beauty of the wreaths and combine different protective or health-bringing powers. That is why one of the most popular rituals, connected with the spring feast days is the ritual of plaiting big wreathes – big enough for a human to pass through. And the tradition is, that all villagers must pass through them. It is believed, that this will bring them lots of health, luck, and prosperity throughout the year. And these beliefs are rooted in life itself. Man’s contact with nature in springtime and the curative plants really do have a healing effect. According to tradition, after the spring feast days are over, these wreathes have to be preserved in the home throughout the year, so that they can be used for medicinal purposes. Because the wreaths are in fact a collection of meticulously selected plants, which, even when dried, have preserved their curative properties.

 

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