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Mărţişor is the traditional celebration of the beginning of the spring in Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria (under the name Martenitsa), on 1 March.

But original tradition is Bulgarian , this is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and worn on March 1st. Mart is the Bulgarian word for the month of March. The name of the holiday is Baba Marta, a Bulgarian tradition related to welcoming the upcoming spring. The month of March, according to Bulgarian folklore, marks the beginning of springtime. Therefore, the first day of March is a traditional holiday associated with sending off winter and welcoming spring.

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+'''Mărţişor''' is the traditional celebration of the beginning of the [[spring (season)|spring]] in [[Romania]], [[Moldova]] and [[Bulgaria]] (under the name [[Martenitsa]]), on [[1 March]].
-'''Mărţişor''' is the traditional celebration of the beginning of the [[spring (season)|spring]] in [[Romania]], [[Moldova]] and [[Bulgaria]] (under the name [[Martenitsa]]), on [[1 March]]. The day's name is the diminutive of March (in Romanian ''Martie''), and thus means something like "little" or "dear March". Nowadays, men offer women a [[Amulet|talisman]] object also called ''Mărţişor'', consisting of a jewel or a small decoration like a flower, an animal or a heart, tied to a red and white string. However, giving a little nickel tied to a red and white string is an old custom and was originally designated for both men and women. It was believed that the one who wears the red and white string will be powerful and healthy for the year to come. The decoration is a symbol of the coming spring. A woman wears it pinned to her blouse on this day and up to two weeks after. Occasionally, women also give such gifts to men. In some parts of Romania such as Moldova or [[Bukovina]] the symbol of spring was a gold or silver medal which was worn around the neck. After wearing the coin for twelve days, they bought sweet cheese with the medal, because it was believed that their faces would remain beautiful and white the entire year.
+But '''original tradition''' is Bulgarian , this is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and worn on March 1st. Mart  is the Bulgarian word for the month of March. The name of the holiday is Baba Marta, a Bulgarian tradition related to welcoming the upcoming spring. The month of March, according to Bulgarian folklore, marks the beginning of springtime. Therefore, the first day of March is a traditional holiday associated with sending off winter and welcoming spring.
-== History ==
-[[Image:Martisor_simple.svg|thumb|A sample generic Mărţişor]]
-Mărţişor is the symbol of spring and also a celebration on the first of March. Its beginnings are still a mystery, but it is usually said that it originated in [[ancient Rome]], because New Year's Eve was celebrated on the 1st of March (''Martius''), the month of the war god [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]]. He had a double role: both protector of [[agriculture]] and of [[war]], so the celebration signified the rebirth of nature. The duality of symbols is kept in the colours of the Mărţişor: white and red, meaning peace and war (it might also symbolize winter and spring).
-For the [[Thracians]], Marsyas-Silen, whose cult was related to the vegetation and the land, had the same attributes. The flower and nature celebrations were consecrated to him.
-This custom can be found in all areas where Romanians live. [[Bulgarians|Bulgarian]] neighbours also have an almost identical tradition on the [[1 March]], called "[[Martenitsa]]".
-==See also==
-*[[Dragobete]] - another Romanian spring/fertility holiday
-[[Category:March observances]]
-[[Category:Romanian traditions]]
-[[Category:Moldovan traditions]]
-[[Category:Seasonal traditions]]
-[[de:Märzchen]]
-[[es:Mărţişor]]
-[[he:מרצישור]]
-[[ro:Mărţişor]]
-[[ru:Мэрцишор]]