Martisor a Celebration of Spring

Every March 1st you'll see market places, convenience stores, old city centers brimming with displays of red and white bracelets. Usually they have some sort of pendant attached--anything from a kitschy dolphin to a hand painted flower on piece of ceramic. And yes, even The Bridge will make fondant bracelets to decorate a piece of cake.

That's because it's "Martisor" or "Little March"--a celebration of spring commemorated with a red and white bracelet.

Back in the olden days, it would serve as a good luck charm and bring the wearer of the bracelet health and happiness. You'd pin it on your chest, close to your heart on March 1st until the last day of March where you'd tie it to twig of a fruit tree (in hopes of fruitful harvest). The two colors bear significance though some say red means "a fiery spirit" others "summer"; white "wisdom" and still others think "spring".

But today it has become a token of friendship and love. Everyone buys a bag-full of them to give to their classmates, teachers, co-workers, bosses, friends, family, yep, just about everyone.

It's a fun way to follow the Romanian tradition while showing someone you care about them.