In the past people used to offer trinkets to children and young people. The trinket had to be offered before dawn. This is a very old spring tradition. Nowadays people still offer trinkets, mostly to women and young girls. The red and white twine, made out of wool, represents the contrasts: spring – winter, light – dark, hot – cold. The twine was worn until people were able to see the first signs of spring. After that they had to tie it to a tree in order to be lucky the whole year. Lately to the twine was added a silver coin which represents the sun. So the trinket became a symbol of fire and light, a symbol of the Sun. Nowadays the trinket symbolizes the rebirth, faith, optimism and happiness.

An old myth says that many years ago the Sun used to transform in a young man and walk on earth. One day a dragon kidnapped him and locked him in a dungeon. A young man fought to release the Sun during three seasons (summer, autumn and winter) until he finally defeated the dragon. Once with the return on the Sun on the sky the nature came back to life. The blood from the hero’s wounds dripped on the white snow. So in his memory the young men are supposed to intertwine a red and a white thread and to offer it to maidens. Red symbolizes the savior’s courage and love and white symbolizes the purity, the beginning of spring and the first spring flower – the snowdrop.

The celebration of the beginning of spring dates back from Dacians times. There are archeological evidences which prove the fact that 1st of March has been celebrated on these fairy tale lands for more that 8000 years. The Dacians used to wear around their neck trinkets made out of small stones painted in red and white. It seems that 1st of March was the beginning of the calendar year for the Dacians and that there were only two seasons – summer and winter. The trinket was some kind of an amulet meant to bring luck, health, happiness and love.

The Romans celebrate on 1st of March the god of nature forces, spring and agriculture, Mars. He is also the god of war. That is the reason for the red and white twine. For the Romans it represented the contrast between peace and war.

Spring energy overruns the whole nature. Birds start to nest. Animals do not hibernate any more. The first leaves start to grow and everything is dressed in a light green so beautiful and fresh. People start to clean the houses and their souls and embrace the first signs of spring. The gardens are prepared to be cultivated. The last remains of winter are eliminated.

We, the Pure Romania team, wish you a happy first day of spring! Make sure that you let in the spring inspiration wherever you are and that you will enjoy fully the spring energy. Stop for a moment and smell the spring flowers and the fresh air and admire the power of the nature to revive after every harsh winter.

Article by Andreea Andrei

Photo: PureRomania

There are many practices connected to this special day depending on the area. The maidens must collect the remaining snow so they can melt it down. It is believed that this snow is “born from fairies’ smile”. The water resulted is used to make magic potions. This is the day when snowdrops can be picked.

Young people used to dance and sing in the middle of the village. The boys also used to make fires at the forest’s edge while the girls picked flowers which were kept next to an icon in order to use them to make love spells. Dragobete is an auspicious celebration. Dragobete protects people throughout the year from any diseases and brings them wealth and happiness.

Article by Andreea Andrei

Photo: fotografultau.ro

Sanziene night is a magical night when the heaven opens and our world gets in contact with the mystical one. It is said that in the Sanziene’s Eve people can see the magical beings with the same name. In Romanian folklore Sanziene are imaginary, fantastic maidens who descend on Earth to dance and celebrate the summer. They are kind and beautiful and despite Rusalii or Iele, other mythical beings, Sanziene are auspicious, bring  fertility to women, animals and birds, give to flowers scent and magical powers, heal people’s diseases and sorrows and protect the crops from bad weather. In the night before the celebration Sanziene can be seen dancing in forests and on fields. It is said that whoever sees them dancing will be mute or will go crazy.

In honor of this celebration people light big fires on hills and dance around them. In some villages people surround their houses, stables and fields with lit torches in order to cast away evil spirits. It is believed that the ones who surround the fire or passes through it will be protected during the whole year from diseases and will be wealthy and happy. After the midnight the fires are extinguished and people go to their houses in silence. This is the moment when the souls of the dead people and the magical beings are allowed to wander in this world. In the morning, on 24th of June the maidens used to bathe in dew collected from virgin places from Sanziene petals.

Sanziana flower (Gallium verum or Gallium mollugo – depending on the white or yellow color of the flower) is a plant that grows on fields, with small flowers, full of pollen, beautifully scented, which blooms around the summer solstice during the ripening of the grains. It has numerous uses in medicine and cosmetics. That is why the Romanian mythology gave it mystical properties. It is used in the magical practices performed on the night before Saint John the Baptist celebration. If a young girl places it under her pillow that night she would surely dream about her destined one. Sanziana flower is also an agricultural mark. Depending on the moment when it blooms the people know if the crops are ready to be harvested or not.

People make wreaths of Sanziene flowers which they throw on the house while they make a wish. It is said that if the wreath stays on the house the wish will come true, if it falls on the ground the wish will not fulfill.

In many areas in Romania Sanziene is still celebrated and people still believe that if they do not celebrate it properly then they will be punished by the magical beings.

Article by Andreea Andrei

Photogrpahy:

• ilovemaramures.com
• Catalina Constantin