Cantemir Vodă National Cantemir Vodă National CollegeCollege(Bucharest,Romania(Bucharest,Romania

))

SPRING CUSTOMS AND SPRING CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONSTRADITIONS

‘‘MarMarţţiişşor’ Dayor’ Day

On the first day of March, the MOn the first day of March, the Măărrţţiişşor day brings the symbol of or day brings the symbol of spring in all regions of the country. It is the custom that men offer to spring in all regions of the country. It is the custom that men offer to the women in their lives a ‘mthe women in their lives a ‘măărrţţiişşor’, which is a small decorative or’, which is a small decorative object than can be worn as a broach. What is particular to this object object than can be worn as a broach. What is particular to this object is that it has a string with white and red (white being the symbol of is that it has a string with white and red (white being the symbol of men wisdom and red the color of women's vitality), and it is said that men wisdom and red the color of women's vitality), and it is said that it brings luck. In the cities, the ‘mit brings luck. In the cities, the ‘măărrţţiişşor’ is sometimes replaced by or’ is sometimes replaced by jewelry and gifts, but whatever the choice, it still remains a courteous jewelry and gifts, but whatever the choice, it still remains a courteous gesture for women of every age.gesture for women of every age.

Every year the festive day of March 1 brings back to us Every year the festive day of March 1 brings back to us renewed hopes, confidence, faith in good fortune and a renewed hopes, confidence, faith in good fortune and a prosperous life. It is life, spring and the shining sun which win prosperous life. It is life, spring and the shining sun which win the battle against chilly weather, overcast skies and the nasty the battle against chilly weather, overcast skies and the nasty days of the Babe (the first 9 days in March).days of the Babe (the first 9 days in March).

The legend of the The legend of the ‘Mar‘Marţţiişşor’ or’

There once lived a poor man who used to make There once lived a poor man who used to make doll dresses, ribbons, tassels, and sold them at doll dresses, ribbons, tassels, and sold them at the market.the market.One day he ran out of fabric and all he could find One day he ran out of fabric and all he could find at hand was two spools of yarn: one red and the at hand was two spools of yarn: one red and the other one white. Now he was thinking what could other one white. Now he was thinking what could be made out of them; soon he came up with an be made out of them; soon he came up with an idea. He tore off two strands from the spools, one idea. He tore off two strands from the spools, one red and one white and braided them in a cord. He red and one white and braided them in a cord. He was very pleased with his work and hung a small was very pleased with his work and hung a small picture on his new thread. picture on his new thread.

And he said to himself: How shall I call this ? I And he said to himself: How shall I call this ? I know. Martisor because is March and today is the know. Martisor because is March and today is the first day of the month. This will be a gift that men first day of the month. This will be a gift that men offer to women. And he made several models.offer to women. And he made several models.Soon the word spread about his invention. And Soon the word spread about his invention. And people celebrated March 1 because they wanted people celebrated March 1 because they wanted to preserve the memory of the day when a poor to preserve the memory of the day when a poor man created the symbol of spring and man created the symbol of spring and regeneration.regeneration.So, to the present day people celebrate March 1.So, to the present day people celebrate March 1.