Martisor Romania

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Mărţişor - Martisor (the amulet)

***** Location: Romania
***** Season: Spring (March 1)
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

On March 1-st, commonly regarded as the beginning of spring, Romanians present a small object called “Mărţişor” to all the important women in their lives. This object consists of 2 interwoven threads, one read, the other white.
White symbolizes winter, red, spring and nature coming out of hibernation. It is similar to the Bulgarian “martenitza”, from which it differs, in that small crafted objects symbolizing good fortune (hooves, four-leaved shamrock, chimney-sweeper figures etc.) are attached to the 2 threads.

It is then worn by women (pinned to their clothes) for amounts of time varying for each region (for 8 days, for the whole of March, until Easter etc.). It is not a Valentine’s day kind of thing, no one ever attached any erotic symbolism to it. It can be given to sweethearts, but also to mothers, sisters, daughters, neighbors, clients , even your boss, if she’s a woman; schoolteachers usually have impressive collections. On leap years, men may also receive a “Mărţişor”.

Cristian Mocanu

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More than two thousands years ago, the Dacians had that tradition on March 1st. The Dacians God who was celebrated at the beginning of March was named "Marsyas Silen". He was the inventor of flute (shepherd's whistle) and he had the most greatest influence upon the entire nature. The Amulet's meaning was greatly enlarged. It was considered to be a protective charm for children and animals in the next coming year.

Those tiny pebbles were changed into a couple of yarns, one colored in red and one colored in white. Red meant the Sun, the power of fire, passion and woman, and white meant the benefits of water, clouds, winter but also man's intelligence. The combination of those colors can be interpreted as the union of man and woman, these two opposite forces who will determine a new life cycle.

Read more about it here:
http://blog.livedoor.jp/worldkigo/archives/25792862.html

Original
http://social.moldova.org/articole/eng/357

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Here is another link about Matisor:
http://www.euro-kids.org/scotland/pages/romania/martisor.htm

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way







haiku by Ioana Dinescu, artwork by Constanta Erca


martishor

- Shared by Ioana Dinescu
March 2012



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HAIKU

Markets come alive.
It’s only in :”Mărţişor” threads
That the snow’s melting.

The old street vendor
A “Mărţişor” enlightens
Her small, wrinkled face.

Selling amulets
To the gas company staff:
“Nice chimney-sweeper!”

Cristian Mocanu


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Related words

***** . Martenitsa in Bulgaria .
Celebrated on March 1.

　

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