Tuesday 1 March 2016

1 March - "Mărţişor"


Mărțișor is a Romanian celebration at the beginning of spring, on March the 1st in RomaniaMoldova, and all territories inhabited by Romanians. Alike, though not identical customs can be found in Bulgaria (see Martenitsa), while similar ones exist in Albania and Italy.
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 is names for the red and white string from which a small decoration is tied, and which is offered by people on the 1st day of March. 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.
A very popular symbol in relation to Martisor is the snowdrop flower, which is also considered in Romania symbol for spring time.

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