Spring has come. And even though the weather is not quite spring yet, it’s still cold, there’s snow somewhere and it’s raining somewhere, the sun will definitely come out from behind the clouds soon. Very soon he will start waking up from winter sleep everything is alive, migratory birds will return from distant lands, here and there snowdrops will appear from under the snow, young grass with yellow coltsfoot “suns” will turn green on the hills, and the spring mood will settle in our hearts for a long time. How impatiently we look forward to this! But in some countries they don’t wait for real warmth to arrive to welcome spring; the first day of spring is already a holiday there.

On March 1 in Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece you can see many people on the streets, whose clothes are festively decorated with bright red and white things. The spectacle is simply amazing! All kinds of tassels, pompoms, flowers, hearts and figures of red and white they look very beautiful and elegant even on the most gray and uncomfortable day. And your soul immediately becomes warm and joyful, no matter whether the bright sun is shining or snowing. This is a celebration of the arrival of spring, as it is traditionally celebrated here.

This holiday existed in ancient Rome; in those distant times, the arrival of the New Year was celebrated on the first of March. On the territory of modern Romania, during archaeological excavations, river stones of red and white color were discovered; they are more than 8,000 years old.

A very beautiful legend is usually associated with this tradition.

Once upon a time, the Sun became terribly bored and lonely in the sky. He was tired of simply illuminating and warming the Earth with his hot rays day after day, year after year, and swimming all alone in the cold blue of the heavens. And the Sun wanted how to the common man, spin in a fiery dance, laugh with a ringing laugh, rejoice in spring and welcome its arrival together with people. Then the Sun turned into a beautiful girl and quietly descended to Earth.

This prank could have ended happily: the Sun, having had a lot of fun, would have returned to its usual place, but unfortunately, he saw the Snake girl. And from now on he wished to personally own the beautiful Sun! The Serpent grabbed the girl, flapped his wings and dragged her into his lair...

Darkness has fallen on the Earth. Birds did not sing, children did not laugh, people cried in despair - joy left their homes. Cold, darkness and sadness reigned on the Earth. And there was no one who would dare to fight the Serpent in order to rescue the Sun and save people from inevitable death.

However, a brave young man was found. He wanted to return the Sun to the sky, give people light and warmth, so that happiness would return to every home. And he set off on a long journey.

His path to the Serpent’s lair was not easy and long. Summer and autumn passed, winter came, and the young man kept walking and walking, and it seemed that there was no end to the road. The people whom the young man met along the way showed the daredevil the way, bowed to his waist, blessed him for mortal combat and tried to transfer all their strength to him so that it would be easier to fight the Serpent.

Finally, the young man came out to a disastrous place, where among the swamps and black rocks the Snake’s castle rose. The Serpent did not tolerate that someone had invaded his domain, and fought with the daredevil to the death!

They fought for a long time until the Serpent collapsed lifeless to the ground. With the last of his strength, bleeding, the young man opened the doors of the dungeon and released the Sun into freedom. It flew into the sky, illuminated and warmed the Earth.

And everything around began to come to life, as if waking up from a nightmare. Children's laughter and the joyful singing of birds were heard again, people smiled and thanked their savior.

But the young man no longer had any strength left. Drops of scarlet blood from his many wounds fell onto the white snow, which melted from the hot blood of the daredevil, and the first spring flowers bloomed in every thawed patch. And then the last straw fell...

But people remembered their savior. And from that time on, every year, on the first day of spring, they began to give each other a memorable gift in honor of the deceased hero. Two-color twisted cord, two tassels or two pompoms, red and white, blood and snow... A symbol of victory over darkness, the embodiment of hope, joy from the arrival of spring and a premonition of love and happiness!

There is another legend about the origin of this. It tells how the beautiful Spring sheltered with her hands from the evil wind and snow sent by the evil Winter, the first one growing in a thorn bush, and at the same time pricked herself on the prickly thorns. It echoes its previous symbolism, also blood and snow, scarlet and white.

Of course, these are wonderful fairy tales, legends invented by people. But the tradition of celebrating the first day of spring and rejoicing in the arrival of spring is real! The March 1st holiday has existed in Romania and Moldova, Bulgaria and Greece since time immemorial and its symbol is those same pom-pom tassels, red and white. They are made with their own hands or bought ready-made in stores, it doesn’t matter. It is important that it is customary to give them to family and friends, friends and acquaintances with wishes of happiness and health.

On the day of March 1 (Baba Marta in Bulgarian) in Bulgaria they say: “Be white and red!”, with a white face and red (rosy) cheeks, that is, healthy (as we have “blood and milk”). Health, happiness and love are wished on this day in other countries.

There is another interpretation of the two colors of March amulets: white is associated with the masculine principle, the sun and strength, but red is the feminine principle, like the color of blood, it is associated with birth and health.

Martisor) (pronounced roughly like this) in Romania, martenitsa, martenitsa in Bulgaria - two-color symbols of spring. They are usually decorated with funny pendants and brooches with figures of birds, animals or flowers; they are pinned on clothes or worn as bracelets not only on March 1, but throughout the entire first month of spring. When March ends, they are hung on the branches of flowering fruit trees (at the beginning of April you can see trees literally hung with

Martisor (Mold. Mărţişor, Martisor, Mărţiguş, Roman. Mărţişor, Arum. M`arţu from Moldovan martie, martie “March”) is a traditional holiday to welcome spring in Moldova and Romania. Celebrated on March 1st. On this day, people give each other small boutonnieres in the form of flowers made from white and red threads. This decoration, just like the holiday, is called martisor.

In Bulgaria there is a similar holiday called Baba Marta, and on this day it is customary to give martenitsa or, as they are also called, Martenitsa.

Legends of origin

According to one legend, on the first day of March, the beautiful Spring came out to the edge of the forest, looked around and saw a snowdrop emerging from under the snow in a thawed patch of thorn bushes. She decided to help him and began to clear the ground around him, freeing him from the thorny branches. Winter saw this and became furious. She waved her hands and summoned a cold wind with snow to destroy the primrose. The weak flower wilted under the cruel wind. But Spring covered the sprout with her hands and pricked herself with a thorn. A drop of hot blood fell from her wounded hand, and the flower came to life. So Spring defeated Winter. The colors of Martisor symbolize her red blood on the white snow.

According to another legend, the Sun descended to earth in the form beautiful girl. But the evil Serpent stole him and locked him in his palace. After this, the birds stopped singing, the children forgot what fun and laughter were, and the whole world plunged into sadness. One brave young man decided to save the Sun. For a whole year he searched for the Serpent's palace, and when he found it, he challenged him to a fight. They fought for a long time, and in the end the young man defeated the Snake. He released the beautiful Sun. It rose into the sky and illuminated the whole world. Spring came, nature came to life, people remembered what joy is, but the brave young man did not have time to see spring. His warm blood flowed onto the snow. The last drop of blood fell and he died from his wounds. Where the snow melted, white flowers grew - snowdrops, the harbingers of spring. Since then, in honor of the liberator of the world from darkness and sadness, people have been weaving two cords with white and red flowers. The red color symbolizes the love of beauty and the memory of the blood of the deceased young man, and the white color symbolizes the health and purity of the snowdrop, the first spring flower.

Story

The historical roots of Martisor remain a mystery, but it is generally believed that this holiday originated during the Roman Empire, when New Year celebrated on March 1, the month of the god Mars. Mars was not only the god of war, but also the god of agriculture, promoting the revival of nature. This duality is reflected in Martisor, where white and red can be understood as symbols of peace and war.

Archaeological excavations in Romania prove that amulets, like the modern martisor, existed about 8 thousand years ago. Then they were made in the form of small stones, painted white and red, worn around the neck. Martisor was first mentioned by Iordache Golescu. Folklorist Simon Florea Marian wrote that in Moldova and Bukovina martisor consisted of gold or silver coin on a red and white thread that children wore around their necks. Girls also wore martisor around their necks for the first 12 days of spring, and then wove it into their hair until the storks arrived or until the first trees bloomed. Then a red and white thread was tied to a tree, and kash (a type of sheep cheese) was bought with a coin.

Traditions

Martisors are worn on clothes all month, and on March 31 they are removed and hung on flowering fruit trees. It is believed that thanks to this people will be successful throughout the next year. According to legend, if you make a wish while hanging martisor on a tree, it will definitely come true. At the beginning of April, in many cities and villages of Moldova you can see trees hung with martisors.

In Moldova, the Martisor music festival begins on March 1 of each year. This festival was first held in 1967.

In some areas of Romania, martisors are not worn throughout March, but only for the first two weeks. It is believed to bring health and prosperity. In Transylvanian villages, martisors are tied to doors, windows, and the horns of domestic animals, as it is believed that they drive away evil spirits and give vitality. In Bihor County there is a belief that you should wash your face with rainwater collected on March 1st in order to become more beautiful and healthy. In Banat, girls collect water or snow from strawberry leaves and wash themselves to be loved. In Dobruja, martisor is worn until the storks arrive, and then they are thrown into the sky so that happiness is “big and winged.”

Congratulations to all flower growers and gardeners on the arrival of spring!
And on this occasion I would like to give (at least visually) Martisor to all readers of the Gardenia website!

Perhaps not everyone knows what Martisor is, and therefore I will tell you about this holiday.

A long time ago, the Moldovan people had a tradition: on the first day of spring, they gave each other Martisor.
The lucky owner of this gift wears it on his clothes throughout the month of March - on the left side of the chest, near the heart.
Where did this tradition come from?

Legends of Fat-Frumos and Snowdrop

One old legend says that in ancient times, among the Getae and Dacians, there lived a young handsome guy. His name was Fat-Frumos, which translated into Russian means Well done, Handsome, Good Well done.
Fat-Frumos was cheerful and kind, in love with nature native land. And then one day on the first day of spring at sunrise he galloped into the forest. In a sunny clearing, the young man saw a wonderful flower named “Giochel” - a snowdrop.

Who are you? - the guy asked the flower.
- I am Giochel, the messenger of Spring! I notify everyone about the end of winter and the arrival of spring! If I appeared, it means that the end of the cold, fierce blizzards and blizzards has come. My opened flower attracts warmth and bright sun, calling migratory birds to its native land!

But there’s still snow all around, won’t you freeze? - the young man became worried.

No, I'm not afraid of the cold! - answered Giochel.

Then the fierce Blizzard-Frost walked past a forest clearing and heard the words of Giochel. Blizzard-Frost was angry that such a fragile flower was not afraid of him and notified everyone about the passing of winter and the beginning of spring. Blizzard-Frost became angry and furious, and sent all his cold power to Giochel. Then spring Flower began to turn pale and freeze, lowering his delicate white head down.

Don't die, Giochel! – Fat-Frumos shouted to him and rushed to stop the raging cold storm.
But the young man was unable to overcome the sharp Blizzard-Frost. Then, falling to his knees from his wounds, Fat-Frumos managed to get to the dying Giochel and covered the flower with his chest from the cold. Drops of hot blood that came straight from the heart fell to the ground next to the freezing flower.
With his blood and his last breath, Fat-Frumos warmed Giochel, and White flower survived! It bloomed further and notified everyone about the arrival of Spring!
And the dying Fat-Frumos turned into another beautiful flower.
This is how the legend about a beautiful flower and the holiday of the arrival of spring - Martisor - was born.

In different villages we tell this legend in their own way.
For example, there is another legend that in a forest clearing a young man met a beautiful forest fairy, who came to notify the world of the coming of Spring. The young people liked each other. But the insidious Blizzard-Frost let the cold fall on the Fairy, and then in the struggle mortally wounded the young man. Fat Frumos tried to warm the freezing Fairy with his hot blood from his wounds, but they both died. The first spring flower grew at this place - the white Snowdrop. And Fat-Frumos turned into a beautiful flower Bujor (forest or foreign Peony).

Since then, people have been telling these legends to their children, making and giving Martisors to each other, rejoicing at the arrival of spring.

Spring gift Martisor

What is this gift - Martisor?
Martisors are varied in design, there are a great many forms. But they are all made strictly in two colors: white - the color of Snowdrop, and red - the color of Fat-Frumos' blood.

Ordinary Martisors are balls or circles. Or is it a white flower head (in the form of a snowdrop cap) and the same red one. They are knitted from threads and then fastened together. A bow is made at the ends of the threads.
The finished Martisor is sewn onto clothing or fastened with a badge on the left side of the chest near the heart. The gift is worn from the first day of March until the end of the month.

On the last day of March, Martisor is taken off and tied to a branch of some plant (tree or perennial flower). This suggests that a person takes patronage for the whole year, until next spring, to look after and care for this plant.
And Martisor attached to a plant indicates that this plant is occupied. The bright red and white coloring of Mărtisor reminds people of their obligation to care for their plants.
Of course, this is also from a legend, but many observe this tradition, providing further care behind the plant. This tradition is especially revered in villages.

Although everyone ties their martisor to a branch of a plant, not everyone can regularly care for their tree; This is especially difficult in the bustle of the city.
However, these legends are still alive and are celebrated cheerfully traditional holiday the arrival of spring!

For 43 years in a row, within the framework of this spring holiday in the period from March 1 to March 10 in Moldova is held International festival culture, which is called “Martisor”.

So in March everyone celebrates Martisor, wears gifts on their chests and rejoices at the coming spring.

Congratulations to everyone on the coming of Spring, on the Martisor holiday!

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The traditions of national holidays of the peoples of the world, as usual, are rooted in the deep past and have developed over many centuries.

Some of them are based on historical events, others - legends passed on from mouth to mouth. In the Moldovan national holiday Martisor, history is intertwined with several legends that arose in ancient times, when people personified the forces of nature.

According to one of them, Martisor symbolizes renewal - the victory of Spring over the fierce Winter. Beauty - Spring, on the first day of her reign, came to the edge of the forest, saw Giochel (snowdrop) breaking out from under the snow in the thorn bushes and decided to free him from the winter shackles. But Winter, not wanting to give up her possessions, sent evil frosts with the intent to destroy delicate flower. When Spring bent down to warm him with her warmth and save him, she pricked herself on the thorns of a thorn tree. A drop of hot blood touched the snowdrop, it gained strength, came to life, and Spring came into its own.

Another legend tells that the Serpent stole the Sun, which descended to earth in the form of a beautiful girl, after which darkness, despondency and cold came. A brave young man freed the Sun, which illuminated the world and warmed the earth, giving people joy. But in the battle with the Serpent, the young man was wounded. In the place where drops of his blood fell on the snow, white flowers grew - snowdrops, harbingers of spring. In gratitude for the rescue, the red and white Martisor became the talisman of his memory.

History interprets the origins of the holiday in its own way, but confirms its ancient origins from the times of the Roman Empire. During excavations, archaeologists discovered red and white stones that were worn around the neck 8 thousand years ago.

Modern martisors are two red and white threads woven together, with flowers at the ends. They are made in various shapes and sizes by skilled craftswomen throughout the country precisely for March 1 and represent the arrival of spring. People give martisors to each other as a token of gratitude with wishes for the fulfillment of wishes and wear them attached to clothes on the right side of the chest throughout March. At the end of the month, according to tradition, martisor is hung on a flowering tree, making a wish, which, according to legend, will certainly come true.

The national holiday Martisor has given rise to another good tradition of holding a music festival of the same name in the country in the first days of March, which these days has acquired international status. A large number of guests from many countries come to Moldova. From March 1 to March 10, as part of the festival, concerts with performances by artists of various genres and musical genres are held in all halls and theaters of Chisinau.

Residents of Moldova hospitably welcome everyone who wants to touch the national Moldovan traditions and participate in the Martisor holiday, contributing to the development of friendship between the peoples of the world.

When is this holiday held? The Martisor holiday in Moldova and Romania is celebrated on March 1, in 2020 the date falls on Friday.

It is dedicated to welcoming spring. It is believed that the holiday appeared during the Roman Empire, when people celebrated the New Year on March 1.

Nowadays, in early spring in Moldova the music festival “Mărtisor” is held.

The history of the holiday - the legend of Martisor

Many legends about Martisor have survived to ours. As one of them says, on this day the beautiful Spring came out into the forest clearing. She saw a primrose emerging from under the snow in the thickets of thorns and decided to clear the ground to free it from the thorny branches.

But Winter caused a cold wind and snow to destroy the flower. He drooped, and Spring covered him with her hands. She was injured by a thorn bush, and a drop of her blood fell on the flower, which came to life. So Spring defeated Winter.

According to another ancient legend about Martisor, one day the Sun descended to earth in the form of a beautiful girl. She had fun and danced, and nature blossomed with her. But the girl was stolen and locked in his palace by the evil Serpent, after which the whole world plunged into despondency.

A brave young man decided to save the girl and challenged the Snake to a fight. Their battle lasted several days and nights. The young man won and freed the Sun. It shone in the sky again, and nature came to life. But the young man died from his wounds.

Where drops of his blood fell on the snow, snowdrops appeared - the harbingers of spring - and flowers, the white petals of which were strewn with scarlet spots, like blood...

In Moldova, on the Martisor holiday, people give each other small amulets, which are also called Martisors. Usually such souvenirs are balls, circles or flower buds. They combine white and red colors.

Such amulets are worn on clothes, sewn to it or fastened on the left side of the chest near the heart, for a month, and on March 31 they are hung on flowering fruit trees.

People are confident that this will bring them good luck throughout the year. According to legend, by hanging such an amulet on a tree, you need to make a cherished wish, and it will definitely come true.

It is known that such souvenirs have been made since time immemorial. In the old days they were made from small stones, painted white and red, and worn around the neck.

Many customs are still observed today. And these days, when welcoming spring, people tell each other the legend of Martisor, cover festive table and give each other beautiful souvenirs.