The Culture of Romania

Romania is split into eight different regions. Throughout Romania’s history these regions have been separated and have had their own traditions. But in the recent century, Romania has combined these regions, and their traditions, and beliefs to create one culture. A culture with beautiful traditions such as, Martisor, St. Nicholas Day, and St. Vasile’s Day.  

Every spring, the people of Romania make Martisors. Martisors are red and white string twisted together to make bracelets, hair decorations, or to be pinned to a shirt. This tradition started in Moldavia, but has been spread and celebrated across Romania recently. Martisor is translated into “little March”, but is related to the ancient Roman god Mars. Mars is the god of war, but before he was the god of spring. On the first of March every year, men give women flowers and a Martisor, (traditionally). When they see the first spring birds they take off the Martisor and hang it on a blossomed tree. This symbolizes the coming of spring and joy after a long hard winter.

During the winter, twenty days before Christmas, Romania celebrates St. Nicholas Day. This is considered a very important and is not to be confused with Christmas. According to belief, St. Nicholas is well known for secret gift-giving, but not just to children, but to adults as well. So, on the night of St. Nicholas Day children and adults polish their boots and set them near the door way. Then, during the night, family members put presents in each others boots, acting as “St. Nicholas”. This holiday marks the beginning of winter and its holidays, such as Christmas and New Years.

Another Romanian tradition happens on St. Vasile's Day. Two boys and two girls sit around a rectangle table. Set in each corner is an object covered with the edge of the table cloth. These four objects are either a mirror, a piece of coal, a coin, or a slice of corn musk. None of the children know which object is in which corner. Each child picks a corner and takes the object from there. If you get the mirror you will have a beautiful face and noble soul. If you get the coin you will gain a lot of money. If you get the slice of corn musk you will always have enough food. If you get the coal, it is considered unlucky, because you will receive nothing. This traditional game is not as popular as it once was, but is still played in the countryside often.

You will never be able to learn the whole culture and all of the traditions of Romania. But if you take a great interest in it, you’ll be able to understand what the country bases itself on and what defines them. Romania’s so much fun to learn about, because not only does it tie eight regions together, but it adds new elements to some of their old traditions, like, Martisor, St. Nicholas Day, and St. Vasile’s Day. It is, to say the least, a jungle just waiting for people to explore.

Bibliography:

"Romanian Festivals and Traditions." European Schoolprojects. Web. 20 Mar. 2010. <http://www.european-schoolprojects.net/festivals/Romania/index.html>.

"Romanian Traditions." Welcome to Romania on Line, Your Internet Guide to Romania! Web. 22 Mar. 2010. <http://romania-on-line.net/general/traditions.htm>.

"Culture of Romania -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Romania>.