Martisor I

The first of March. Here in my neck of the woods it’s the end of summer.

I love autumn, I always have. But as someone from the other hemisphere, March has always had another meaning to me: spring, new beginnings, re-birth and hope. It is not easy to describe but try to imagine a city where streets are full of people selling and buying flowers. Mainly snowdrops, but also crocus, two-leaf squills, freesias. Spring flowers, freshly picked and tied up in tiny bunches. Tiny but brave, piercing through the snow, beautiful metaphors of a new season and new life.

Spring flowers and "martisoare".

The martisor is an old tradition, going back thousands of years, abundant in symbolism and linked with beautiful legends. It means "little March" and it is a small pendant attached to a red and white string with tassels on each end. Gifted to friends and loved ones on the 1st of March, it is meant to bring them good health, luck and prosperity for the year ahead. You wear at least for the first week of March, pinned to your clothes, usually close to the heart or on the collar. It is a gift of love and happy vibes.

The red and white string is usually silky, but it can be also made of thread or wool.

The little pendant attached to the string can have many symbols and meanings. Some of the most popular ones are the four-leaf clover, the horseshoe, the ladybug or the chimney sweep, all lucky charms. There are also so many unique and beautiful ones made by talented crafters. Whether they are made of dried flowers, resin, ceramics, crochet, macramé, cross-stitching, quilling, painting or any craft you can possibly think of, the possibilities and designs are endless.

Happy 1^st of March!