The smell of spring is in the air! The days are finally a bit longer so that the sun can wake me up in the morning. The only thing that's missing is a ´mărţişor´.
Mărţişor is a little token tied to a red and white string, that is worn by girls and women during the month of March. It is the symbol of the springtime conquering the winter. It is a tradition in Roumania and Bulgaria and is said to date back to the Roman Empire, when the New Year was celebrated in March. The name of this month comes from the roman god of war Mars, also Marte. it was the time-period when the Romans made war-preparations, April being the first month of war.
Whichever meanings, those of peace and war or those of vitality and frozen sleep that the mărţişor (the little March) has, receiving one from a family member or a friend brings great joy!
I wish everyone reinvigorating, happy days this spring!