Romanian spring celebration

In Romania we usually associate the 1st of March with the begining of Spring. Even if the weather looks sometimes more like autumn or winter. But, sunny, cold or rainy, on this very day we always celebrate Martisor.

The name Martisor is the diminutive of Martie (the Romanian for March). Its beginnings are not very well known, but they are usually connected with ancient Rome, where New Year’s Eve was celebrated on the 1st of March.

Among the myths about Martisor, there is one I like most:

On the first day of March, beautiful Spring took a walk in the forrest and during her stroll noticed a snowdrop that was trying to emerge from under the snow; she decided to help it by taking away the snow. Seeing this, Winter got mad and called the wind and the frost to destroy the little flower. The snowdrop got frozen immediately. Spring covered it with her own hands trying to warm and protect it, but her hands were injured. A little drop of her blood touched the flower, bringing it to life again. This way Spring defeated Winter and the white colours of the Martisor string symbolize her red blood on the white snow. White is also the symbol of the purity and delicacy of the snowdrop, the first spring flower.

Over time Martisor has changed its shape, aspect and meaning.

Celebrating Spring in Romania

Martisor can be a little decorative object (a flower, an animal, etc.) or even a piece of jewelry and it is sometimes accompanied or even replaced by a bouquet of spring flowers. While some of them are real art objects, there are kitsch ones too.

Spring celebration in Romania

Producing and selling Martisor has become a real business and many little retailers wait for the big Martisor Fair profits.

Romanian Martisor

On the 1st of March, men usually offer Martisor to women (mothers, sisters, lovers, friends, colleagues and so on); buying the most appropriate one for every person on the “list” it is a genuine struggle for them. Most of the women wear nearly every Martisor they are offered pinned to their blouse on this day and up to two weeks. Ocasionally women give Martisor to men too.

Martisor in Romania

Let me offer a virtual Martisor to all PocketCultures readers and wish you a beautiful Spring!

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About the author

Carmen was born and raised in Bucharest, the city where she currently lives. She worked in the Sales Department of a radio station for 15 years. Along with some friends, Carmen recently founded a small company that deals with website development and online promotion. She loves English, listening to music, establishing connections and meeting new people and has a real passion for Ireland. Carmen is attracted by foreign cultures and she likes very much to travel (whenever it is possible!)