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Martisor


Martisor
Photo Information
Copyright: Anton Mihai (toni_ro) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 20 W: 8 N: 52] (214)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-17
Categories: Nature, Event
Camera: Canon Powershot S3IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/403 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): My favorite Heavily processed shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-01 23:33
Viewed: 1109
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On the first day of March, Romanian men offer the women a martisor, a small traditional gift in the form of a pendant or broche attached to a red and white string, celebrating the beginning of spring.

Until the small "gift" was introduced in the 19th century, the martisor was made only of the string that combined the red and the white threads. The combination of the two colors has many interpretations (end of winter/beginning of spring; death/rebirth; the union of man and woman, determinating a new life cycle, and so on).

In some parts of the country, throughout March, the martisor was worn on the wrist until the first blossomed tree was seen; then, before sunrise, the girls would tie the string to the tree, with the belief that all their wishes would come true.
It was also considered to be a protective charm for children and animals in the next coming year.

Initially, the string was made of black and white threads and its length was calculated in relation with the size of the house gate, the door and the window frame, this way, the martisor would protect the whole house and its inhabitants from evil spirits and curses.

Its name is a diminutive of "Martie" - the Romanian word for March. As you all know, this month was named after Mars ("Marte" in Latin) who was the god of fertility and vegetation before becoming the god of war, in Roman mythology.

I was disappointed to find numerous sources on the web that place the origins of this custom in ancient Rome.
It is true that the Romans celebrated the beginning of the new year on the 1st of March, the month of the god Mars, but the tradition of the martisor is connected to ancient fertility rituals which predate Roman culture.
Archeological sites in Romania (Schela Cladovei, Mehedinti) revealed the presence of ancient "martisors" dating back to 8000 years ago, in form of painted pebbles arranged alternatively on a string.

Nowadays, the Martisor is present in all Romanian regions but you can find a similar tradition in Bulgaria, too.

It won't be long before I return to my land of beautiful and ancient traditions, but for now, I'm posting this martisor for all of you on TL, with a... canadian touch :)


I used a photo of the chipmunk who appears in some of my posts, on TN;
-changed the color balance;
-increased the contrast;
-faded out the background;
-cropped;
-added the snowdrop and the (ancient) martisor ;)
-applied a drop-shadow effect to the string's extremities (for a 3D perspective)
-and... warped a smile on the chipmunk's face :)
katya534, garg26, c_rapp, perryhooter, XOTAELE, lilimih33, Danert, Werewolf, rychousmama, rewshearer has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To garg26: You're welcome, Genevieve :)toni_ro 1 03-02 01:30
To katya534: Hi Katya,toni_ro 1 03-02 01:25
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice work you done here :)
Thank you for your Martisor!
Have a nice day,
Genevieve

Bonsoir Anton,
Nice composition and clair picture of the chipmuk and note of the photograph..Well done..
Michel

Great PP work cute chipmunk

Simpática presentación, con un color bastante natural.
Un buen montaje.
Saludos, JL.

so cute ;-)

  • Great 
  • Fons Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1299 W: 2 N: 202] (15586)
  • [2007-03-02 4:21]

Very nice picture !!!

Excellent result! Well done. Ed

Your PP is outstanding as well as the quality of used photos. Excellent work and thank you for the note.

Katya
pl

Ciao Anton!
Super fain compozitia ta de 1 Martie!
Excelenta idea si foarte bine realizata.
Culorile, claritatea si perspective superbe!
O primavara frumoasa iti doresc!
Lili

A wonderful tradition and a wonderful creation made by you. It is lovely.

  • Great 
  • c_rapp Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 957 W: 20 N: 1282] (7282)
  • [2007-03-02 12:28]

Great PP work a very cute chipmunk! Great note. this is very creative and fun. TFS
Christan

:) later

  • Great 
  • Danert Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 437 W: 18 N: 804] (4076)
  • [2007-03-02 13:03]

Hi Anton,
A great realisation . A good precision work . It is also sharp with a good DOF . Thanks for your note and for sharing .
Daniel

Stunning quality works Anton !

This is serious work. Congratulations for your imagination , and talent to realise your idea. I have to had this beauty to my favorite heavily processed photos.


It is indeed an underrated image IMHO after two days on line !

Cheers!
Robert

Buna Mihai

WOW...i`m impressed...un cadou excelent de Martisor...e superba...felicitari...excelenta prelucrare.

Numai bine,
Lucian

Lol! I n fact that little gift is more to take in consideration due the size of that little friend! It's well made! Look's natural!

  • Great 
  • jone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2230 W: 171 N: 0] (28742)
  • [2007-03-13 3:02]

Hi Anton ;)
nice creation...TFS
Regards,
J ;)

Haha! This is such an inventive and creative shot Anton.
You have really found an excellent way to introduce us to the Martisor tradition, making it entertaining and enlightening in the same moment.
The smile on the chipmunk's face is the perfect touch!
Thanks for sharing
Rew

  • Great 
  • S-moon Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 80 N: 362] (2261)
  • [2008-02-14 13:28]

Great photo! It all fits perfectly.
Well done.

TFS Greetings Simone

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