Martisor

The snow is finally melting, and it is a mess in Bucharest! Even though it is very wet around here right now, I am very happy that the snow is melting, because that means spring is on its way. Another sign that spring is on its way is the martisor stands that started springing up all over the city.  On every street corner there are people selling small trinkets with red and white string attached to them. At first I thought it was for women's day, which will take place on March 8, and I will blog about that later on. However, I found out that Romania celebrates another holiday on March 1 called Martisor. To be honest I'm still a little shaky on what it's all about, but this is what I have found out so far about the Romanian festival of Martisor.

It is an ancient festival that celebrates the beginning of spring and fertility. The name martisor apparently goes back to the original name of March which was of course named after the god Mars. The trinkets that are exchanged always have to have a red and white string on them. The colors either stand for war and peace, or innocence and fertility, or some other combination. I have heard several. Women were to wear these charms either around their wrist or pinned to their shirt for 12 days or until the first sign of spring with the blossoming of trees.

Now a days the tradition is simply for men, or women to give women one of these small trinkets on the first of March, and I believe that's about it. My friends and I went to a fair at the peasant museum that was full of these little trinkets. Most of them are handmade, and they can have just about anything on them. Here are some that I was given from my students and friends.

Here is one that I bought especially for you! Happy Spring!