Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Martisor - 1st of March ( Romanian Traditions)










































Mărţişor is the traditional celebration of the beginning of the spring , on the 1st of March.
The day's name is the diminutive of March (in Romanian Martie.
Mărţişor is the symbol of spring and also a celebration on the first of March.
Its beginnings are still a mystery, but it is usually said that it originated in ancient Rome, because New Year's Eve was celebrated on the 1st of March (Martius), the month of the war god Mars.
He had a double role: both protector of agriculture and of war, so the celebration signified the rebirth of nature. The duality of symbols is kept in the colours of the Mărţişor: white and red, meaning peace and war (it might also symbolize winter and spring).
Nowadays, men offer women a talisman object also called Mărţişor, consisting of a jewel or a small decoration like a flower, an animal or a heart, tied to a red and white string.
A woman wears it pinned to her blouse on this day and up to two weeks after.
Women also offer it to other women and only occasionally to men.
However, giving a little nickel tied to a red and white string is an old custom and was originally designated for both men and women.
It was believed that the one who wears the red and white string will be powerful and healthy for the year to come. The decoration is a symbol of the coming spring.

source :focusromania

Photo in Village Museum - Bucharest

similar post : Romanian winter traditions , Viva la Vida, The world we live in


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47 comments:

  1. Se-cretMarch 1, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Excelentă serie de imagini.Toate-s frumoase,dar ultima e cea mai... Primăvară frumoasă și plăcură să-ți aducă mărțișorul!

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  2. Joop ZandMarch 1, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Good information and very lovely and colorful pictures...well done Wind.

    Greetings, Joop

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  3. FreeSeoDesignMarch 1, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Bine ... Femeile primesc flori si azi, si de 8 martie? Pai nu e cam mult? :D

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  4. FreeSeoDesignMarch 1, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    Am uitat ...
    vine,vine primavara,
    se asterne-n toata tara!
    floricele pe campii
    hai sa le-adunam,copiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!! :))

    O primavara plina de lumina si de bucurii!

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  5. CristianMarch 1, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    O primavara frumoasa iti doresc!

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  6. dmd.March 1, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    O primavara cu salutari zambitoare,iti doresc.

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  7. OlaMarch 1, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    nice to hear that today is the celebration of spring:)
    I am not a fan of folk art but some of the pieces you showed are amazing!
    Very good pictures, but this is obvious in your case:)

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  8. Robert ManzMarch 1, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    the pictures are great, the dolls are wonderful, thanks for the story of the red and white string, it's time for Spring !

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  9. Rick ForrestalMarch 1, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Thanks for teaching me about the tradition of Martisor. I love all the folk art. Happy Spring.

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  10. Traveling HawkMarch 1, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Azi mai multi au vorbit pe bloguri despre martisor. Personal, as zice ca el trebuia sa ramana la ceea ce a fost initial: un fir alb/rosu, rasucit, legat la mana. As mai admite cateva simboluri ale norocului (buburuza, trifoi cu 4 foi, hornar)si...cam atat! Supra-comercializarea zilei nu-mi place, mai ales ca a dus la productii kitsch din cele mai bizare...dar probabil asa or fi si gusturile semenilor nostri...Nu-mi place sa-l port in piept si, in anii in care inca il purtam, il atasam la ceas, unde mi se parea mai putin batator la ochi...Ce mi se pare ciudat este ca, desi pe strada vedem atatea martisoare scoase la vanzare, femeile nu le mai prea poarta...o fi vreun exemplu de cum comertul tine in viata un obicei?!...obiceiurile vechi incep sa fie inlocuite de cele noi?!...valoarea simbolica este data la o parte de cea materiala?!...sunt acestea aspecte sociologice asupra carora ar trebui sa reflectam?! Pana atunci, o primavara frumoasa va doresc tuturor!

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  11. Luis GomezMarch 1, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    These are wonderful. Corlorful and beautiful!

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  12. Out on the prairieMarch 1, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    I love this thought, and now know why I didn't get the gift.I enjoy the crafts, and wondered if the old man carving was winter.

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  13. KarinaMarch 1, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    Superbeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  14. joannaMarch 1, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    Happy first day of spring, colorful wonderful folk art, especially love the close-ups of the painted faces of the dolls, all photos were interesting and good composition.

    joanny

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  15. Celia na ItaliaMarch 1, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Amazing pictures, nice story!

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  16. ClintMarch 1, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Great work, Wind! You have captured the vibrancy of the occasion! Thank you for the great description of the holiday.

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  17. Teo NeguraMarch 1, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    frumoasa primavara a venit la tine pe blog, sa ma fi vazut cum zambeam tot mai larg... Ador lucrurile acestea hand-made :)
    La multi ani!

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  18. GalleryMarch 1, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Ei, ce surpriza placuta mi-ai facut! Am privit cu drag martisoarele traditionale romanesti... De chinezarii mi s-a acrit deja... Sa ai o primavara frumoasa si plina de iubire!

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  19. Cristina DeboniMarch 1, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Eccellente, una serie superba e bellissima, la prima è la più bella! Complimenti per aver condiviso queste belle immagini! Ciao Cri : )

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  20. Roger GauthierMarch 1, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Beautiful series. Very, very good photography indeed.

    My own tribute to the Romanian People and the many very good photographers it creates!

    Roger

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  21. CameliaMarch 1, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Frumoase martisoare, Daliana! o primavara cat mai frumoasa!

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  22. Anamaria do ValMarch 2, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Very good pictures and interesting story, Dalian. Here in Brasil we dont celebrate this day. Loved the post! Hugs from Anamaria

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  23. J_on_tourMarch 2, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    Nice work Wind with a bit of background both in text in image (2 and 6). It seems that the first day of your spring is brightened up with a tapestry of colour and I can almost feel the texture on the knitted doll's face. The last image is a masterpiece with the meaningful string tied around the bud. Now I'm not sure that I can wear red and white though as it is the colours of the rival football team here... war and peace indeed... haha.
    Hope your week is going well.

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  24. AnonymousMarch 2, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    Love the third, fourth and the wooden face picture most. How wonderful a way to start this month.
    Towards life, colourful happiness for you.

    daily athens

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  25. Fram ActualMarch 2, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    Another lesson in Romanian history, customs and traditions, in addition to a photographic feast for the eyes. Good, and thank you, Wind, for the learning experience.

    It never occurred to me before how few are the customs and traditions observed in America when compared to your nation. I think I might be missing out on many of the more pleasant elements of life.

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  26. NancyMarch 2, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    How very sweet. A lovely colorful tribute to the holiday. Exceptional!

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  27. TrevorW�� March 2, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Tremendous - superb blend of fantastic images and wonderful text.
    Visiting your blog is always such a pleasure. A feast for my eyes.

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  28. Gabriela PanaMarch 2, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    o primavara faina sa ai...

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  29. magdaMarch 2, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    So beautiful coloured photos !!!!
    In Greece ςe custom to put women in their hands, like a bracelet, white and red thread, as this first picture, and say this March!
    Thank you for the very nice photos and reportage !!!
    Greetings

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  30. VertAngeMarch 2, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Sa ai o primavara frumoasa si plina de bucurii!

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  31. KrunalMarch 2, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    love this series

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  32. MartyMarch 2, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    I love traditions in your country !
    so many beautiful, colorful images !
    they are jumping in my eyes and my mind and that's nice ! thank you wind

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  33. BalaphotoMarch 2, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Great shots !! Salut!!!

    Francesc, Barcelona

    http://balapertotarreu.blogspot.com

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  34. CosteaMarch 2, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Frumos compuse imaginile. Bravo!

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  35. cartimMarch 2, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Ce imi plac chitarile acelea , ideea in sine este deosebit de interesanta , nu am mai vazut asa :P

    Muzeul Satului ne face surprize de fiecare data, care prin tine, ajung si la noi .

    Multumim ca ne tii la curent !!

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  36. cartimMarch 2, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    @Travelling Hawk , uite iti dau un exemplu,:

    Mama mea nu a purtat niciodata martisor , si mereu a primit mai multe, nu le purta nici macar la ceas.
    Totusi in fiecare i se daruiesc buburuze, trifoiul cu malformatie genetica, hornar, sau potcoaca.

    Anul acesta a primit buburuse si trifoi cu mutatie genetica :P

    Foarte rar vedeam in TM femei purtand martisoare, cabd eram in vacanta la Bucuresti incidenta martisoarelor purtate era paca, mai mare.

    Poate in zoa Banatului , traditia aceasta nu s-a putut impune atat de bine, sa u uitam ca aici , traditiile se preiau , mai ales in familile mixte.

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  37. VictorMarch 3, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    îţi doresc ca primăvara din tine să fie mult mai frumoasă şi mai caldă decât cea de afară...

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  38. Carmen Troncoso BaezaMarch 3, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    Que precioso, que variedad de colores, me encantan estas tradiciones, felicitaciones `por tus fotos, estan muy bellas!

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  39. k.a. photographyMarch 3, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Martisorul imi aduce aminte de copilarie.. :)

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  40. BitchMarch 3, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    With your images and text I wish you
    a very nice March and beginning of spring!!
    Greetings.

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  41. ANRAFERAMarch 3, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    Un reportaje fotográfico excelente, lleno de colores y detalles, como nos tienes acostumbrado. Me gustan mucho, Wind. Felicitaciones. Saludos.
    Ramón

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  42. Scented LeafMarch 3, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Sincer vorbind, anul acesta nu am reusit sa ajung la Targul de martisoare de la Muzeul Satului - dar, datorita fotografiilor tale, pot spune ca l-am vazut partial. Frumoase imagini!

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  43. Tommy Andre NekkoyMarch 3, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    this theme was full of nice colores and details - well done

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  44. rumaMarch 4, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Lovely smile decorations. . .
    The wrinkle of the old man reminds me of the life.

    Thank you for your visit.

    Good weekend
    ruma

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  45. GringoMarch 5, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Hi Wind, I love these beautiful colourful shots.....they are so much more effective now when he weather is cold, bleak and miserable here -

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  46. Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan bloggerMarch 5, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    you have an award waiting for you at www.duncaninkuantan.blogspot.com. You will find the Stylish Blogger Award image on the 'About Me' page.

    ReplyDelete
  47. RIZALENIOMarch 7, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    These colorful images made me smile. They are very cute.

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