March 1st in Romania is called ‘Ziua de Martisor’. A small decoration tied with a red and white thread is worn (mostly by women) until March 8th, the day when Romanians celebrate ‘Women’s Day’ . Wikipedia says:
Mărțișor (Romanian pronunciation: [mərtsiʃor]) is a traditional celebration of the beginning of spring, on March 1st. It is a tradition in Romania, Moldova, and all territories inhabited by Romanians and Aromanians. The name Mărțișor is the diminutive of marț, the old folk name for March (Martie, in modern Romanian), and thus literally means "little March". It is also the folk name for this month.Mărțișor, marţ and mărțiguș are all names for the red and white string from which a small decoration is tied. Giving this talisman to people is an old custom, and it is believed that the one who wears the red and white string will be strong and healthy for the year to come. It is also a symbol of the coming spring.The tradition of Mărţişor is very old, going back more than 8 000 years ago, according to archaeological research. Some of ethnologists consider Mărţişor to have a Roman origin, while others believe it to have a Daco-Thracian origin.
So, as my husband put it today: ‘Happy 1st of March’ to everybody!
The pictures are taken at the Romanian Peasant Museum Expo (Muzeul Taranului Roman) by our friend Oti.
don't forget that on 12 is my birthday ;;)
ReplyDeleteand some of the old people are saying that if a girl hasn't reveived a martisor the spring will not come
Hmmm...Then it will be winter for a very longgggggg time :))
ReplyDelete