The best representation of Bulgarians’ artistic expression and their perceptions of the beauty of man and nature can be found in the festive women’s costumes. They consist of multiple elements, details, and motifs in a harmonic balance, imposed by centuries-long traditions.
Jewelry, for example, was very special and girls couldn’t wear it whenever they pleased. Once a girl turned the appropriate age for marriage, which was 17-18 years old back then, she would get a gift from her future parents-in-law. Throughout the engagement period, the girl had to wear the jewelry outside in public to signify that she was “taken” or engaged, as they were saying “promised to someone”. For the wedding day, the girl received more adornments which she had to wear to show the financial status of the family. After the wedding and the birth of her first child, the girl is considered a woman. From that point on she would wear adornments only on special occasions.
