Tales from Transylvania

March 1st in Romania is a cute little holiday called “Martisor” meaning “little March.”  Symbolically it is related to woman in celebration of life and continuity.  The idea is that men/boys will give little Martisor to girls/women.  Since this year is a leap year they say that the rules are different and the girls have to give to the boys.  At pre-school the rules don’t really apply and everyone gives and everyone receives.  Wikipedia has some fun information about Martisor here.

Lydia and Miriam left for Gradinita (pre-school) all set to give out their Martisor to their friends.

The girls were just as excited as they returned home with their own stash of Martisor that they had received.  The Martisor are actually little pendants tied with a red/white striped string.  The colors red and white are symbols of the coming of spring.   You usually pin the Martisor to your shirt.

This celebration reminds me of what Valentine’s day was for me as a child where we would give and receive Valentine’s cards.  Valentine’s day isn’t celebrated here in the way I was used to growing up, but Martisor is just one of the little special things that I am glad my girls are able to enjoy.  They aren’t growing up in the culture I was raised in, but the Romanian culture is filled with special things for them to enjoy as well.

Sophia doesn’t go to pre-school, thankfully her big sisters were generous to share their Martisor so she could be a part of the fun too.

So Happy 1st of March with love from Romania.