March 1st, the 1st spring day, is Dochia [Dokia]. Dochia is, in the Romanian folklore, an old evil woman, the personification of the atmospheric instability of the “old women’s days” (babă = old woman). According to tradition, nine days before the beginning of March, people choose one day with oracular role. It is said that the way the chosen day is, whether sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy or if there is a storm, the same will be the year of the person who chose that day is his/her “babă”.
So, on the first of March people make the „mărţişor” [mărtzi∫or]: a red and a white thread are plaited to become a red and white string which is then worn to bring good health, good luck and happiness. The white symbolises purity and the red symbolises the life blood.
The „mărţişor”, plaited by girls, is worn till St. George, when it is tied to a branch of a rose bush or of a blooming cherry tree, to bring good luck to the person who has worn it, so that that person has the beauty and graciousness of the flowers.
In some parts of Romania, the plaited string is kept as a talisman against the evil eye, as it comes from Dochia, and people use this string to wash themselves.
This symbol represents a reminiscence since ancient times, when spring meant the beginning of the new year, when all nature came back to life.
Prof. Elena Călincan
Students: Madalina Balaj, Laura Muresan, Denisa Nestea, Andrada Petö, Sorina Sindrestean, cls. 6B
Translation: Prof. Daniela Buda
Photo: Elena Călincan
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