Romanian Celebrations

1. ““MǍRŢIŞOR” - The symbol ofMǍRŢIŞOR” - The symbol of
springspring

2. MartisorMartisor
 ““MǍRŢIŞOR”- is a popularMǍRŢIŞOR”- is a popular
Romanian symbol of the renewalRomanian symbol of the renewal
of nature, a symbol of spring.of nature, a symbol of spring.
Nowadays it is offered by boysNowadays it is offered by boys
and men to girls and women whoand men to girls and women who
wear it on their coats or shirts.wear it on their coats or shirts.
They offer it on the 1They offer it on the 1stst
of Marchof March
and girls wear it for a whole week.and girls wear it for a whole week.
 The legend of the “mãrţişor” isThe legend of the “mãrţişor” is
very old, dating back to thevery old, dating back to the
customs of the ancient civilizationcustoms of the ancient civilization
of Tracs. In those times, “mãrţişor”of Tracs. In those times, “mãrţişor”
was made of two twisted strings ofwas made of two twisted strings of
wool, one black and one white, orwool, one black and one white, or
white and red, symbolizingwhite and red, symbolizing
summer and winter, day and night.summer and winter, day and night.

3. MartisorMartisor
 At the end of the XIXthAt the end of the XIXth
century, the “mãrţişor” wascentury, the “mãrţişor” was
given to the children, boys andgiven to the children, boys and
girl alike, on the morning of 1thgirl alike, on the morning of 1th
of March, before sunrise. Afterof March, before sunrise. After
a while, it was given only toa while, it was given only to
girls and women. “Mãrţişor”girls and women. “Mãrţişor”
was the string on whichwas the string on which
hanged a silver or a gold coin.hanged a silver or a gold coin.
It was worn around the neck orIt was worn around the neck or
on the hand. It would beon the hand. It would be
usually taken off on a certainusually taken off on a certain
spring celebration, like Easter,spring celebration, like Easter,
or when certain trees wouldor when certain trees would
bloom. The string would bebloom. The string would be
hanged on the branches inhanged on the branches in
blossom of cherry-trees, wild-blossom of cherry-trees, wild-
rose tree, apricot tree, etc.rose tree, apricot tree, etc.

4. MartisorMartisor
 ““Mãrţişor” had the powerMãrţişor” had the power
of making those whoof making those who
wore it healthy, beautifulwore it healthy, beautiful
as the flowers, lucky,as the flowers, lucky,
wealthy, and loved, andwealthy, and loved, and
also protected them fromalso protected them from
curses. In Romania havecurses. In Romania have
been discovered 8.000been discovered 8.000
years old “mãrţişoare”.years old “mãrţişoare”.

5.  Alin and GeorgianaAlin and Georgiana

6.  Alin and GeorgianaAlin and Georgiana