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Mărțișor: Romania’s first day of spring
The back story
About Mărțișor: Romania’s first day of spring
On 1 March, Romanians give each other mărțișoare: small charms tied with a red-and-white thread, to welcome spring and bring good luck. In late February the streets of Bucharest fill with stalls selling them.
An old tradition
The mărțișor, from martie, March, is an old custom: a red-and-white twisted thread, symbolising winter and spring, given on the first day of March.
How it works
Today the thread usually carries a small charm, a flower, a ladybird or a horseshoe. Traditionally it is worn for the first days of March, then tied to a blossoming tree.
Romanians welcome spring with a red-and-white thread.
UNESCO
In 2017 the cultural practices associated with 1 March were added to UNESCO’s list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, shared by Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and North Macedonia.
Our advice: if you are in Bucharest in late February or early March, buy a mărțișor from a street stall as a small, meaningful souvenir.
Why it's on our list
- An old tradition
- How it works
- UNESCO
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Mărțișor: Romania’s first day of spring before you go.