Culture Moment: 1st day of Spring - Martisor

Today Romania and some other Eastern European countries (such as Serbia, Bulgaria, parts of Ukraine) celebrate the beginning of Spring. The traditions says that people should wear a white and red thread so that spring sees that people and their houses are ready for her. The name Martisor is a diminutive of March (Martie in Romanian)

Not long ago, in the countryside, people used to celebrate the Martisor by hanging a red and white string at  their the gate, window, cattle's horn and shed to protect against evil spirits and to invoke nature's regenerative power.

In the old times, Martisor were made of small river pebbles, colored in white and red, stringed on a thread and worn around the neck.

They were worn, to bring good luck and good weather, from March 1 until the first trees would bloom. When the first trees were flowering the Martisor were hanged on tree branches.

Nowadays, on March 1, Romanians buy silky red-white threads (snur) tied into a bow to which a small trinket is attached and offer themto their (female) family members, friends and colleagues to show friendship, respect or admiration. I need to say that I find the Bulgarian tradition nicer as also guys will receive Martisoare (Martenitsas), so I will adopt this as of this year ;)

It is believed that the person who wears the red and white string would enjoy a prosperous and healthy year. 
(Source)

The joy of Handmade gifts

Once I moved to Belgium, I wanted to share this beautiful tradition with as many people I could, so I decided to share it with my colleagues at work and friends I made. In the first year I just sent an e-mail explaining what it means, then I got each of them a flower adding the red-white thread to it and later on I decided is time to take action. Now I handmade them and everyone loves to receive a little gift. 

Martisoare 2015 edition

The 2016 Project 

it needs to make people smile was my first thought when I started the thinking process what to do this year :) so I decided to get myself some modeling paste and some watercolors.

Then the design process started, making 100 tiny shirts.   Followed by step two, painting them in Romanian traditional looking "ie" , you can read more about La Blouse Romaine HERE

At the end I added some transparent nail polish for a shinier look ;) and of course made a small bow with the Martisor thread.....and TADAA :)

Martisoare 2016 edition

The 2017 Project 

Martisoare 2017 edition

and here we go again, year after year, the joy that the first day of spring brings is hard to measure in Romania. All around the country people offer little gifts and spring flowers with one common thing the white and red thread. It's about the gesture not the present. Simple handmade gifts are even more appreciated as they were done with joy and happy thoughts. Hope you enjoy your little #ladybugs. #clovers, #fish or anything else you might receive today. #Happymartisor2017

The 2018 Project

2018 was the year when I decided to add traditional Romanian motifs to the collection of martisoare and so a very cute set of martisoare came to life. I must admit, it was not easy and time consuming, but I am so proud of the end result. 

Martisoare 2018 edition

The 2019 Project 

This year was time to do something with all the corks I have collected from the wonderful wine I had with special friends. So we here the 100 cute cork martisoare. 

The 2020 Project

Went back to fimo for some cute let’s call them tulips.

and here the end result of some 60 martisoare. :-)

I really hope this tradition sticks and gets spread around the world. If you have Romanian/Bulgarian/Sebian friends and you receive a martisor add them on Instagram #martisor & #92springdays

HAPPY SPRING! :)