AMMAN (JT) -- The embassy of Romania in Amman is organising the "open gates day" on Wednesday, March 1, in observance of the ancient tradition of "martisor."
Martisor is a diminutive of the name of Martie -- the Romanian word for March. This triumph of rebirth and regeneration coming with the spring is embodied but in the martisor (an amulet), offered to loved ones in early spring, according a statement released by the Romanian embassy.
Women and children of the local Romanian community will be welcomed at the embassy throughout the day by Romanian Ambassador Radu Onofrei and offered martisoare.
Martisoare (the plural form of the noun martisor) are small replicas of flowers, horseshoes, animals, birds or other little things, tied up with red-white threads. Exchanging them is a gesture of love, friendship, respect and appreciation. Women and children especially wear these amulets on the left side of their chests, pinned on their clothes, for nine days, starting on March 1.
People living on the territory of present Romania more than 2,000 years ago observed this tradition on March 1. "Marsyas Silen," one of the gods celebrated at the beginning of March, was the inventor of the flute and had the greatest influence on nature.
In those days, the amulet was considered as a protective charm for children and animals for the coming year. People used small red and white coloured pebbles -- red denoted the sun, the power of fire, life and woman, and white represented the benefits of water, clouds, winter and also man's intelligence. The combination of those colours can be interpreted as the union of man and woman, or alternation between warm and cold -- the two opposite forces determining a new life cycle.
Nowadays much of this tradition's significance is lost. Nevertheless, the custom of offering small beautiful objects is still alive, although its consumerist dimension prevails, according to the statement.
But no matter what people offer, martisor still means showing your appreciation and love for your dearest ones.
The "open gates day" is an event that reminds the Romanian community of their roots and gives them a sense of keeping alive the links with their native spirituality, the statement concluded.
© Jordan Times 2006
