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
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