The Martisor and how I welcome Spring!

Today a part of me was craving for the frenziness at home. The only thing that compensated was this cute, magic, white red Martisor, a single look at which would bring in all the great memories of 1st March.

On 1st of March in countries like Moldova and Romania, we celebrate the Martisor. It symbolizes purity and the beginning, which in this case is Spring, when the Sun wakes up from a long nap, when the flowers strive to blossom and the trees along with them, the entire nature is awaking.

On this day, from the early morning people would give Martisor to each other, to wish luck and prosperity in the upcoming Spring. There are more interpretations for the white and red strings of the Martisor, usually it signifies the opposites: summer/winter, woman/man; sun/moon; fertility/sterility. Some legends say that the Martisor was used to protect people from bad events. Whatever the reason is for wearing a Martisor, I am always happy to receive one. With years people would hunt for the most beautiful and unique Martisor. Expositions of Martisor would be organized so that skillful artisans and craftsman could show their works.

I remember the firsts of March in high school. We would bring Martisor for our beloved teachers, and for friends and colleagues, and would give them along with warm words and wishes. The whole day would become a holiday, and in the evening we would go to a concert, where woman and young girls would receive flowers and Martisor. Late, in the evening I would sit with my sister and admire all the Martisor we get for the day, and decide on one which we would wear for the rest of the month. The tradition is to wear the Martisor till the end of March, and on 31st to hang it on a blossoming tree. The Martisor is to be worn on the chest, or around the wrist.

There are several legends behind this tradition, some of them I know, some – not so well. If you have a personal interest in the stories behind this event, I picked up some websites where you can read more about it.

The Legend of Martisor

About Martisor

Legenda Martisorului (RO)

Wish you a warm and a nice 1st of March!!! Wish you all a colorful and shiny Spring! And I hope you got a Martisor today!