"Martis", the March bracelet

On 1st March in Greece, tradition says that we wear "martis" (March in Greek)! The "martis" is a bracelet of red and white threads that the Greeks wear to avoid the first unexpected sunburns. This bracelet protects from the first rays of the sun (at least in Greece)!

The "martis" must be worn until the end of March. In central Greece, tradition says that you must leave the bracelet on the branches of the trees so that the swallows can recover it and use them for making their nests. If you don't do that, you have to wait until Easter evening (Megalo Savvato) to burn it with the flame.