Mărțișor is a Romanian tradition celebrated on the first day of March. It represents the arrival of Spring and nature revival. Initially was made just from two twisted strings, red and white. Now, you can find a very diverse range of mărțișoare, from hand made, ceramic, gold, silver, crochet and the list can go on, along with people's imagination. If you find yourself in Romania from mid February until the first week of March, it is pretty hard to miss this holiday. You can find mărțișoare everywhere on the streets.
A friend of mine surprised me with a mărțișor, by putting a red and white sting along with my mărțișor, around my dog's neck :)
Pika, wearing Mărțișor around her neck ❤
Men offer mărțișoare to women from the first day of March until the 8th and women wear it pinned to their clothes, usually on the left side of the chest or as a bracelet, around their hands.
It is said that wearing it will bring luck and prosperity. The white color symbolizes purity, while the red color represent vitality.
In Romania, there are many myths associated with the first month of Spring, March; one of them being the 9 coats of Baba Dochia, representing the first 9 days of March. source
Women have to pick a day (from 1 to 9) and if the weather will be warm and sunny, they will have a joyful year.
☀ I wish you all a joyful Spring! ☀
One of my favorite Romanian, artists, welcoming Spring:
