Martisor – a Moldovan and Romanian spring custom
On the first day of March the Moldovans and the Romanians all around the world celebrate the Martisor. They mark the rebirth of life after the hard winter. During this day the men offer to women Martisors and flowers, usually snowdrops.
This symbol is meant to be worn the whole month. At the end of the month you are supposed to attach it by a branch of a tree in order to be rich during the whole year.
The Martisor is designed of two colors: red and white. Red color means fire, blood and sun, symbolizing life, or the woman, while the white color of the stuff means the clear water, or the cleverness of the man. The interlace of the colors shows a harmonious co-existence of those two.
This custom is older than 2,000 years and it looks like the tradition will survive over centures. See an article here on the history and legend of Martisor.
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