Martisor (Mărțișor): Romania’s Spring Lucky Charm Tradition

Want to know more about Romania's spring tradition of Martisor (Mărțișor)? Read on to discover the colorful little charm that marks the beginning of March.

Person holding hands in heart shape around a red and white Martisor charm pinned to a sweater.

Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here.

In This Post:

What Is Martisor?
Where to Get a Martisor Charm
Martisor FAQs

Hello there, and Happy 1st of March!

In Romania, there's a beloved spring tradition called Mărțișor (pronounced: maer-tsi-shore) that people truly love. Have you ever heard of it?

For me, it's the unofficial beginning of spring. Even if the calendar (or the meteorologists) say otherwise, March 1st feels like a small turning point.

Just saying "March" sounds like a promise, doesn't it? You can already smell the hyacinths, see the tiniest first buds on the trees, and picture endless fields of yellow daffodils.

What Is Martisor?

It's both the name of the tradition and the small charm tied to a red and white string that people exchange on March 1st. Martisor literally means "little March." It comes from the Romanian word martie, meaning March.

Starting in February, you will find martisoare (the plural of martisor) in many shops, even at supermarkets. These are tiny charms in many forms, especially lucky symbols like ladybugs, four-leaf clovers, snowdrops, little horseshoes, miniature hearts, and chimney sweeps. You can also buy Martisor postcards to send to loved ones, like this one below.

People buy and gift them to one another, especially men to women, where I grew up in the region of Banat. By handing a martisor to someone, or sending one via postcard, you are literally wishing them "Happy March," meaning a happy spring and all the good things that come with the warmer seasons, like health, wealth, and abundance.

Good to Know
In 2017, the Martisor tradition was even inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list (shared with Moldova, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia).

The red and white string is probably the oldest part of the tradition. Red is often said to symbolize life, vitality, or the returning sun. White represents winter, purity, or new beginnings. Some say it is about the meeting of opposites: cold and warmth, or dark and light, eternally intertwined. You can read more about the history behind the Martisor tradition here and here.

From my childhood, I remember the happiness that came with pinning the colorful minimarch to my blouse or jacket. The joy of wearing it for days to come, and spotting that pop of color on other people's jackets while walking through the streets.

Today, I live in Germany, where this tradition is less known. But I still love welcoming March the way I used to as a child. My mom and grandma kept a bunch of martisoare, so now I have this treasure trove tucked away in two big envelopes. Come March 1st, I always pick out some for my partner and me to wear.

Heritage martisor collection — Selection from my family's martisor collection

Have you ever sported a martisor? Aren't they a gorgeous way to welcome spring?

Where to Get a Martisor Charm

If you want to get your hands on your very own real-life trinket, Romania is the place to be. You will find these cute minimarchs in almost every shop and market in February. It is also the best place to truly feel the Martisor atmosphere.

If a trip to Romania is not in your plans, you can also find traditional trinkets online. I spotted several charms and the classic red & white thread on Amazon, so you can easily put together your own little martisor collection and wear them for years to come.

And if you prefer a ready-made piece, there are plenty of lovely options available online as well, like this one.

These days, my whole family also sends each other virtual martisoare. Depending on the messenger you use, you might already have some included. Just type "martisor" into the search bar of the GIF section and see what pops up. It is the most modern way, and perhaps the most sustainable one, to wish your loved ones a happy 1st of March.

a martisor charm from Romania with flowers

Martisor FAQs

When is Martisor celebrated?

Every year on March 1st people gift each other Martisor trinkets.

What does the red and white thread mean?

There are many interpretations: winter and spring, life and vitality, balance. For me, it simply feels cheerful, like the colors of light and warmth returning.

How long do you wear a Martisor?

It depends on the region. In some places, people wear it until March 8th (International Women's Day). Others keep it on until they see the first blossoming tree, and then tie the thread to a branch as a wish for good luck.

Is Martisor only celebrated in Romania?

No, it is a widespread custom throughout the Balkans, most notably in Moldova, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia.

Who wears a Martisor charm?

In the Banat region, where I grew up in Romania, it is traditionally girls and women who receive Martisor charms, often gifted by men. In some areas, and especially in neighboring Moldova and Bulgaria, the custom is more gender-neutral, and men wear them just as commonly. These days, you will see more and more men in Romania wearing them too, especially in larger cities like Bucharest.

How about you? Do you have any cool springy traditions or rituals?

Comments