"A PIECE OF EUROPEAN TREASURE": 2015

Mărțișor

March The 1st: “Mărțișor”

The tradition has it that the spring and summer weather will be just like the one from this day. March the 1st is related to the custom of “martisor” (diminutive form of martie = March). Folk beliefs say that who wears the “martisor” will be lucky and healthy.

The Little March Amulet

Mărţişor is the symbol of spring and also a celebration on the first of March. Its beginnings are still a mystery. The first evidence of a similar custom come from 8000 years ago. The archeologist have discovered small river rocks painted in red and white that were probably string on a rope and wear as a necklace. Also in ancient Rome, New Year's Eve was celebrated on the 1st of March (Martius), the month of the war god Mars. He had a double role: both protector of agriculture and of war, so the celebration signified the rebirth of nature. The duality of symbols is kept in the colours of the Mărţişor: white and red, meaning peace and war (it might also symbolize winter and spring)

In the old times, the “martisor” was made of two woolen threads, a white one and a red or black one, symbolizing the two main seasons , winter and summer. Women used to make this braid, which they tied on the wrist and neck of their children.

The “martisor” was also worn by young men and adults. Moreover, the braid which announced the spring was tied on the horns of the cows or on the gate of the stable, in order to protect the household. In the old times, March the 1st was the beginning of a new year, moment in which people needed to protect themselves from the evil spirits.

Later, a silver or golden coin, or even a medallion was hanged of the braid, having a protective function. The coins of that braid were kept until St. George (April 23rd) and the girls were buying themselves fresh cheese and red wine, in order to blush as the wine and to be as white as the cheese.

The “martisor” is worn until the roses or the cherries bloom. Then, the braid is tied on one of the branches of that tree. In other regions, the “martisor” is worn during the ”Old Woman’s days” (March 1st - March 9th), after this being tied on a tree. It is believed that, if the tree gives fruits, the man who has worn the “martisor” will be lucky. If the “martisor” is thrown after a bird, the man will be as easy as that bird.

The Story of the Little March

Once upon a time, there was an old woman. She had a son, March, who had just got married. The old woman didn't like her daughter-in-low maybe because she was too beautiful. That is why she was trying to find a flaw in her son's wife ordering her the most difficult jobs.

One day the old woman commanded the girl to go to the river and to wash some black wool until it would become white. Without a word the young woman went to the river. There a young man appeared miraculously. He immediately turned the black wool into white one. When he wanted to thank him he disappeared leaving no trace behind him.

Another time, at the end of the winter, in February, the bad old woman asked her daughter-in-low to bring her some wild strawberries. The girl had no choice but to go find the wild fruits. March was desperate because his own mother was torturing his wife. That is why he left his home.
Crying, the girl wandered throws the forest and suddenly the same handsome young boy appeared and filled up her basket with wild strawberries.

The young lady hung at her neck a white coin for the wool and a red one for the wild strawberries. In her husband's memory whom she is still looking for, she called the coins "Little March". From that day all the "Romanian girl and women wear Little Marches". They believe that the Little Marches bring them luck in love and good health.

The Legend of the March Amulet

Once upon a time, the Sun embodying a handsome young man, got down from the sky to dance a Romanian round dance (hora) in a village. A dragon lay in wait for him and kidnapped him from among the people and threw him into a jail. The world got sad. The birds wouldn’t flow and the children wouldn’t laugh. No one dared to challenge the bad dragon. But one day a brave young man decided to go and save the Sun. Lots of people saw him off and shared their strength with him. So they helped him defeat the dragon and save the Sun. His journey lasted for three seasons: summer, autumn and winter. He found the dragon’s castle and they started to fight. They fought for days and finally the dragon was killed.

Powerless and wounded, the young man set the Sun free. The Sun rose in the sky cheering up all the people and filling them with joy. The nature revived, the people got happy, but the young man couldn’t live to see spring coming. The warm blood from his wounds dropped on the snow. While the snow was melting white flowers, called snowdrops, messengers of the spring, were appearing out of the snow. Even his last drop of blood dripped out in the immaculate snow. And he died. Since then the young people have been knitting two little tassels: a white one and a red one. At the beginning of March, they offer this amulet to the girls they love… Red means love for everything that is beautiful. It reminds us of the color of the brave young man’s blood. White symbolizes the pureness and health of the snowdrops, the first flowers that appear in spring.

Dracula Myth vs. Legend, Story vs. Reality

Romania – the land of vampires

When referring to Romania the first thing that comes to mind is Transylvania. Home to some of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, most relating to the legend of Dracula. This is the reason why, for many foreigners, Romania is the land of Dracula. Although, not as popular at home us he is abroad, Dracula has become a tourist attraction. Many people come to Transylvania seeking his trail, and many go away again disappointed.

Where does Dracula come from?

Did you ever wonder how the legend of Dracula came to be known and why it belongs to Romania? Besides the impressive story of Vlad the Impaler there are other important elements that build the legend. Perhaps one of the main reasons Romania is considered the homeland of vampires ist hat there are several legends that are centered on vampires.

One of the most important is the myth of Nosferatu- the illegitimate child of illegitimate parents. It is said that his name comes from the Greek nosophoros which means plague bearer of from the old Slavic word nosifor-atu or nesuferitu (obnoxious).

But Nosferatu didn’t feed with human blood. Its main feature was its libido, he being able to be intimate with the living. However, he made his victims-mistresses sick. Their fatigue evolved soon into a disease with symptoms similar to those of tuberculosis.

Nosferati, for there wasn’t only one, could also conceive this is why they were considered dangerous to young married couples; their hatred for those legally married making them to leave the young wife pregnant with their offspring.

Nostefati’s portrait is totally different from what we know today about vampires. The inhabitants of the Carpathians considered them to be highly sexual creatures that had nothing of the following features: blood-drinking, fang-wielding, daylight and crucifix-fearing. This portrait has, unfortunately, no relation with the original Romanian legends, but in part with Bram Stocker’s novel.

dracula1Other very important legends are those of Moroii and Strigoii. These two are seen in close connection. The essential difference between them being the fact that Moroii are living vampires while Strigoii retourn from the dead. Moroii can also be both women and men and have all the characteristics that Strigoii have. Among the ways a person can become a Strigoi there is suicide or the fact that the dead person is the seventh son in the family. There is also the theory that if a pregnant woman drinks impure water or gets out of the house at night with nothing to cover her head the Evil One will appear and will put a red chitie on the head of the baby. This should be removed as soon as possible in order to prevent the transformation of the child. Although there are several versions of the origins of these mythological creatures: Strigoii and Moroii both have one common characteristic: they hurt their victims. However, only in some areas they are assimilated to the notion of vampires.

Varcolacii are other fantastic figures and they are considered to be the strongest type of undead. They are so strong they can eat the Moon and the Sun, making them disappear. They too appear when an unbaptised child dies. Their name seems to come from Bulgarian and Serbian vylx + dlaka meaning wolf hair. However these creatures don’t attack people directly so they are loosely connected with the vampires.

Morii, Varcolacii,Strigoii and the Nosferatu have contributed to the development of the vampire legends on the Romanian territory, influencing creativity all around the world and generating more and more new legends and interpretations, like the most recent Twilight saga.

The Fictional Count Dracula

Vlad the Impaler

Who is Dracula and what connexion does it have with Transylvania? - this is the main question when somebody wants to discover the real story of legendary character.

When one hears the name Dracula, most are inclined to think of a Hollywood fairytale with blood sucking vampires and a fictitious Count Dracula. This is true in one sense and completely false in another.

The figure most people associate to Dracula is a fairytale, written from the pen of Irish Novelist Bram Stoker. Many believe Stoker based his novel on the real life figure, Vlad Tepes III. Vlad was a prince of Walachia, located in central Romania. This is where the similarities end, as Stoker never actually visited Transylvania, or Walachia, and merely drew images from the stories written in European papers at the time.

Vlad Tepes was born in or around 1431, in the Transylvanian town of Sighisoara. Today you can visit the house in which Vlad was born, which has been restored to its original condition, and enjoy one of the best preserved medieval citadels in Europe. Prince Vlad III was named Drăculea by his contemporaries. This was because his father, Vlad II was invested by the Emperor Sigismund in Nuremberg on 8th February 1431 with the Order of the Dragon. This chivalric order was a military and religious society whose aims was to stop the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The arms of the Order depicted a dragon (symbol of the Ottomans) and a cross (symbol of Christianity) in Romanian the word for “Dragon” (“Drahe” in German) is “Drac” (“Devil” in Romanian language) and so Vlad added the epithet “Dracul” (“The Dragon”) this name and his descendents were named “Drăculești” : Vlad III was “Drăculea” (i.e. “Son of Dracul”).

At the time Vlad was in power, Walachia was a main trading route, and a strategic Vlad Tepes (The Real Dracula) point in the battle between the Turkish, Invaders from the East and the Hungarian throne situated in Budapest. This caused a very turbulent situation, as the battle of religions with these powerful neighbours was often fought on these lands. Vlad was known for many things, most of which being his cruel and ruthless torture methods.

Impalement was Vlad's favourite form of punishment, and he held no favourites, whether it be local thieves, foreign nobleman, or the sick and poor. As stories vary from one person to the next, the true life of Vlad Tepes will never be known. The printing press releases from Germany and Russia have similarities to the stories and life of Vlad, and local folklore is probably the best way to find out more on Vlad's life.

Certainly, it was only the exaggeration of Prince Vlad – The Impaler’s cruelty by malicious chroniclers that led, over time, to the creation of the Dracula myth. A series of chronicles inspired by the life of Vlad The Impaler paint a macabre picture of the prince, who was wont to punish treachery, dishonesty, stupidity, laziness, lying, thievery, corruption and flattery by impalement, bunging, flying, decapitation, boiling alive, blinding, crucifixion, stabbing and strangulation. Likewise, victims were buried alive, burned, roasted, maimed, or bad their nose, ears, tongues or genitals amputated.

The figure of The Impaler has remained emblematic for Romanians, in spite of the exaggerations regarding his limitless cruelty. Legends have grown up around him: strange as it might seem, during his reign a golden cup stood at the edge of a fountain in the centre of Târgoviște, without ever beeing stolen. Many things can be said of Vlad The Impaler: that he was cruel, and merciless, although just and courageous; that he knew no pity, although he was a “voevod concerned with people and nation”. The chronicles mention nothing of the monasteries and churches founded by Vlad The Impaler: Comana (1461), the Churches of Strejnicu and Târgușoru Vechi (1461). Although inexplicable his identification with a vampire-count, a personage inspired by horror films, has brought Vlad The Impaler an unexpected tourist celebrity. The bloody Drăculea has become a product perfect for “frightening” and “attracting” the tourists.

Vlad Tepes was the Romanian character that is the most famous in Europe and not only. He was the main character in the literary production from the second period of the XVth century in the Eastern Europe and Western Europe. Unfortunately this fame is a negative one and it shows the great leader as the symbol of the evil. How did such a complex personality end up to be such known when he was still alive?

The origins of his image are being pointed out by the nickname he was given “Tepes”, as he is known in the Romanian history. The nickname appears first in the Turkish chronicles of the XVth century and XVIth century. He is named as Kaziklu bey (the prince that impales). Vlad was given this nickname because of the cruel method he had chosen to execute the war prisoners, the convicts and the adversaries. Vlad Tepes was a descendent from the Dragon Order, known as The Draculestilor Order. In German language the Dragon Order is called Drachenorden and in Latin is called Societatis draconistrarum. It was a like any other knightly orders of the time, having as a role model the “Order of St.George” built in 1318. Like his father, Vlad Tepes was a member of the Dragon Order. A proof of this is the signature he used to sign on official documents of the time: Dracula. Along the centuries this signature gained unexpected meanings.

The name Dracula was rapidly spread in all Europe of that time. In the Turkish language it was known under the name of Kazîclî; the Pec Bishop called it Dracole; Dan a knight who wanted the Romanian throne called him Dracul (Devil); in the Serbian annals before 1462 appears as Dracula; in the German story until 1462 appeared as Dracal or Dracao; the bishop Nicolae de Madrussa called him Dracul; the Venice Senat – Dragulia sau Draculia; the Hungarian king Matei. On purpose or not, the name of Vlad Tepes together with his behaviour brought him a great fame. His special skills and qualities along with his actions brought him a special place in the Romanian tradition not as a bad character but as a Robin Hood character. He was unmerciful with the rich people that broke the law and a good friend to the poor people.

For the Romanian land peasants he was the national hero that served their cause. He became famous because of the so called German stories that tried to denigrate the great leader. He is presented here as an antichrist, a criminal, a cannibal (an engraved stone shows him in the middle of the a spike forest waiting for his subjects to serve him human organs). This campaign was coordinated by the Hungarian king Sigismund de Luxemburg, who had to justify the desertion of the crusade against the Ottoman Empire, as he was given important help from the Roman Pope.

Illustration from German chronicles of the time.

This is a scene of the impalement. Vlad Tepes aka Vlad the Impaler is watching the operation from a table, having his lunch and drinking wine. The picture is not necessary relevant to the image of Romanian prince, because the Germanic sources was affected by the myths and political interests.

As Vlad Tepes had organized himself a campaign against the Ottoman Empire, well seen by the Pope, Sigismund’s action was received very well. He paid for some false writings against the Wallachian leader.This falses include: The manuscript from Viena, incorporated in the Chronichle of Thomas Ebendorfer, the comments of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, the next to be Pope under the name of Pius the II (1458-1464), the verses of MichaelBeheim. From all the documents, the verses of Michael Beheim from 1462 – 1463: “About a tiran under the name of Dracula from the Romanian land” seem to be the most complex with 1070 verses. It is a synthesis of the German stories about Vlad Tepes, having a very powerful and eloquent ending. 950 of the verses describe the cruelties of him and in the other verses the horrible betrayal that led rightfully to his arrest. Being at the wrong time in the wrong moment Vlad Tepes was transformed from a great political and military personality of his time into a criminal of the history. The concept of “vampire” has the meaning taken from prehistoric times when the man being a hunter discoveredthat when an animal is killed and his blood drains’ from his veins, his life ends. The blood became in the mind of the hunter the source of life That is why some tribal members used to drink the blood of the animals killed, in order to claim their vitality. This practice was extended until the middle ages, where the prejudices of the Christian church turned this ritual practice from the life to the dead, and so the vampires appeared. As one of the most frequent phenomenon of the world history, the vampires had left their “fingerprint” on history since antiquity. From the Egyptian culture, from the Greek culture (the first wife of Zeus, Lilith, was considered to be a vampire), and from the Jewish culture until the far East to the Japanese (where are the vampire animals), the vampires have fascinated and intrigued the human society.

http://www.produsin.ro

Dragobete, Romanian Celebration of Love

While Valentine’s Day is mostly related to people (a saint and those he helped) and their actions in the name of love, the Romanian holiday dedicated to love, Dragobete, is strongly connected to nature. Celebrated on February 24th, it is linked to that special time of year when birds build their nests and mate. As the first signs of spring show, nature and man restart the cycle of life and love. What better reason to celebrate? What better reason to sing, dance and kiss girls?

Dragobete, also named Dragomir, is the local counterpart of Roman god Cupid and Greek god Eros. He isn’t however mentioned as a divine creature. He is a positive character, a symbol of pure love, completely opposite to his mother, Dochia. Dochia is said to have been a very cruel mother in law, making a habit of mistreating her daughter in law. She sent her to pick up berries in the month of February, an impossible time of year to find such fruit. God helps the girl in her task fact that leads to a tragedy.

Dochia, believing it was spring already, takes her sheep and her son, Dragobete, up the mountain. Although she carries 12 lambskins in the beginning of her journey, she looses them. The story has two versions here: they either get wet because of the rain or she throws them as it was very warm. Both Dochia and her son freeze to death on the mountain.

However, I like happier myths about who the mother of Dragobete was. One version of the story is of a proud woman, teasing the month of March who then gets even by taking a few days from February. Other stories are of Dochia, sister of Dacian ruler Decebal, who runs away in the mountains to seek refuge from the Roman Emperor Trajan. She disguises herself as a shepherd, but looses her lambskin and freezes. She is then metamorphosed into a stream and her sheep are turned into flowers.

Regardless of its origin, the myth of Dragobete speaks of pristine love, of nature’s rituals translated into people’s life, of new life cycles and of being reborn. It is also said that couples are watching out for which one of them is stepping over the others foot. It is believed that he or she will then take the lead in the couple.

In the past, on the Dragobete day, the villages began to play: every boy chasing a girl , she get caught by one she love and even engaged to him. Thus, "Dragobete kissing girls" became the well-known saying.

http://www.rounite.com/2008/02/24/dragobete/

Miorița - Romanian Folk Ballad

Nicolae Grigorescu's paintings

Miorița is a Romanian folk poem, spread over 1500 variants in all regions of Romania. Is a specific Romanian folk creation, not known to other nations . The song was conceived in Transylvania, based on a rite of initiation and interpreted in the form of carols during the holiday season. Turned into a ballad (in southern and eastern regions of the country) in this version is considered a consummate literary text in terms of layout and style. It was examined and commented on the most famous people of Romanian culture.

Mioritic reason was the inspiration for writers, composers and Romanian and foreign artists. It has been translated into over 20 languages. It is considered one of the four fundamental myths of Romanian literature and is now a national cultural brand.

MIORIȚA

Near a low foothill

At Heaven’s doorsill,

Where the trail’s descending

To the plain and ending,

Here three shepherds keep

Their three flocks of sheep,

One, Moldavian,

One, Transylvanian

And one, Vrancean.

Now, the Vrancean

And the Transylvanian

In their thoughts, conniving,

Have laid plans, contriving

At the close of day

To ambush and slay

The Moldavian;

He, the wealthier one,

Had more flocks to keep,

Handsome, long-horned sheep,

Horses, trained and sound,

And the fiercest hounds.

One small ewe-lamb, though,

Dappled gray as tow,

While three full days passed

Bleated loud and fast;

Would not touch the grass.

”Ewe-lamb, dapple-gray,

Muzzled black and gray,

While three full days passed

You bleat loud and fast;

Don’t you like this grass?

Are you too sick to eat,

Little lamb so sweet?”

”Oh my master dear,

Drive the flock out near

That field, dark to view,

Where the grass grows new,

Where there’s shade for you.

”Master, master dear,

Call a large hound near,

A fierce one and fearless,

Strong, loyal and peerless.

The Transylvanian

And the Vrancean

When the daylight’s through

Mean to murder you.”

”Lamb, my little ewe,

If this omen’s true,

If I’m doomed to death

On this tract of heath,

Tell the Vrancean

And Transylvanian

To let my bones lie

Somewhere here close by,

By the sheepfold here

So my flocks are near,

Back of my hut’s grounds

So I’ll hear my hounds.

Tell them what I say:

There, beside me lay

One small pipe of beech

With its soft, sweet speech,

One small pipe of bone

Whit its loving tone,

One of elder wood,

Fiery-tongued and good.

Then the winds that blow

Would play on them so

All my listening sheep

Would draw near and weep

Tears, no blood so deep.

How I met my death,

Tell them not a breath;

Say I could not tarry,

I have gone to marry

A princess – my bride

Is the whole world’s pride.

At my wedding, tell

How a bright star fell,

Sun and moon came down

To hold my bridal crown,

Firs and maple trees

Were my guests; my priests

Were the mountains high;

Fiddlers, birds that fly,

All birds of the sky;

Torchlights, stars on high.

But if you see there,

Should you meet somewhere,

My old mother, little,

With her white wool girdle,

Eyes with their tears flowing,

Over the plains going,

Asking one and all,

Saying to them all,

“Who has ever known,

Who has seen my own

Shepherd fine to see,

Slim as a willow tree,

With his dear face, bright

As the milk-foam, white,

His small moustache, right

As the young wheat’s ear,

With his hair so dear,

Like plumes of the crow

Little eyes that glow

Like the ripe black sloe?’

Ewe-lamb, small and pretty,

For her sake have pity,

Let it just be said

I have gone to wed

A princess most noble

There on Heaven’s doorsill.

To that mother, old,

Let it not be told

That a star fell, bright,

For my bridal night;

Firs and maple trees

Were my guests, priests

Were the mountains high;

Fiddlers, birds that fly,

All birds of the sky;

Torchlights, stars on high.”

The legend of Violet - the flower

Few flowers have symbolized the renewal of spring, and the triumphs and tribulations of love, as much as the violet. Blooming in the shade, these beautiful innocent bystanders of nature’s woodland paths hold a history of their own for their uses in medicine and popular culture.

Scientific name: Viola odorata
Family: Violaceae
Common Names: Hearts Ease~ ~Bird's Eye~ ~Bullweed~ ~Pink-eyed John~ ~Pink-of-my-Joan~ ~Godfathers~ ~Godmothers~ ~Wild Pansy~ ~Love-lies-bleeding~ ~Love-in idleness~ ~Love Idol~ ~Cuddle Me~ ~Call-me-to-you~ ~Meet-me-in-the-entry~ ~Kit-run-in-the-fields~ ~Three-faces-under-a-hood~ ~Jack-jump-up-and-kiss-me~ ~Kiss-me-at-the-garden-gate~ ~Kiss-her-in-the-buttery~

Violas have over 200 common names, a large number of them relating to sex and love. The name Violet is said to be from "Vias" meaning wayside.

Violets

According to one legend it was Venus who made the violet blue. She had been disputing with her son Cupid as to which was more beautiful... herself or a bevy of girls, and Cupid, with no fear of his mother, declared for the girls. This sent Venus into such a rage that she beat her rivals till they turned blue and turned into violets.

Called the "Flower of Modesty" because it hides its flowers in the heart-shaped leaves. Also called "Our Lady's Modesty" because it was said to have blossomed when Mary said to the Angel Gabriel, who had come to tell her she was to bear the Son of God, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord." The monks of the Middle Ages called "Viola tricolor," common in Europe, the "Herb of the Trinity" ("herba trinitatis" ) because they saw the symbol of the trinity in their three colors. The name "Heartsease" stemmed from its old use as a medicine to treat heart disease. People believed God gave the plant heart-shaped leaves for that use. The name may also come from its ancient use as an aphrodisiac and a love potion. The deep purple"Viola odorata" native of the Mediterranean region, is so sweet that an oil from it is used in the perfume industry.

The Role of Violets in the Ancient World

In ancient Greece, the playwright Aristophanes referred to Athens as the “Violet-Crowned City,” because Ion, the legendary founder of Athens who was crowned there, was an exact match of “ion,” the Greek word for violet. According to legend, Ion was leading his people to Attica and was welcomed by water nymphs, who gave him violets as signs of their good wishes. Thus violets became the city's emblem, and no Athenian home, altar or wedding was complete without them. Persephone, the daughter of the Earth Mother Demeter, was picking violets when Pluto kidnapped her to live with him in the underworld. Violets grew where Orpheus slept, and it was Venus who made violets blue. Disputing with her son Cupid over who was more beautiful, herself or a group of young maidens, Cupid favored the maidens. Venus flew into such a rage that she beat her competitors till they turned blue and became violets. Their connection to Venus made violets a popular love potion and aphrodisiac.

Both Greeks and Romans associated violets with funerals and death. Violets were routinely scattered around tombs, and, as symbols of innocence and modesty, children’s graves were routinely so blanketed with violets that the grave was completely covered.

White Violet

The Ancients' name for violets was “Iona”; they believed that Zeus, the king of the gods, originated violets in the meadows where Io used to wander. Zeus had fallen in love with the lovely nymph, Io, and changed her into a white heifer to protect her from his wife’s wrath. When Lo wept over the taste of the coarse grass she was forced to eat, Zeus changed her tears into sweet-smelling violets that only she was permitted to eat. The Athenians revered the violet, decorated their houses with it, and wore crowns of violets at their feasts and on festive occasions.

Persians and Greeks used the plants to help induce sleep, to calm anger, and to heal the heart and the head. Violet flowers steeped in hot water helped to ease a broken heart.

Romans made wine from violet blossoms, and decorated banquet tables with them believing that the flowers could prevent drunkenness. On the mornings after their festivities, Romans wore violet wreaths to relieve hangovers. Pliny documented the medicinal properties of violets, prescribing them for gout and spleen disorders.

Sentiment & Symbolism

Greek legend tells of a nymph named Io, who was beloved by Zeus. To hide her from Hera, his wife, Zeus changed Io into a white cow. When Io wept over the taste and texture of the coarse grass, Zeus changed her tears into dainty, sweet-smelling violets only she was permitted to eat. Roman myth tells a different story, one of lovely maids of antiquity who became the victims of Venus' wrath when Cupid judged them more beautiful than her. In her jealous fury, Venus beat the maidens until they became blue, and thus turned into violets.

In Christian art, the violet symbolizes the Virgin Mary’s humility. One ancient tale states that violets were in fact white until Mary was filled with anguish from watching her son, Christ, suffer upon the Cross. At this moment all the white violets turned purple to echo her mourning. Perhaps this is a reason why purple remains a color associated with mourning. In Renaissance paintings, Mary, while holding the baby Jesus, is often depicted with violets to symbolize her humility or perhaps as a premonition of Jesus’ death, as in this early painting "Madonna Benois", or "Madonna and Child with Flowers" (c. 1475-1478) by Leonardo da Vinci. And the viewer can make out tiny violets in the foreground of this painting by Sienese artist Giovanni Paolo aptly named "Madonna of Humility"(1435).

To dream of violets is a promise of advancement in life. It is said that a garland of violets worn about the head prevents dizziness. They are considered a good luck gift to any woman in any season, but where violets bloom in autumn, epidemics will follow within the year.

The Middle Ages

Violets were awarded as prizes to French troubadours in poetry contests. In Germany, folk dancers celebrated the first violets of Spring. A 10th Century English herbal claimed that violet blossoms could repel evil spirits and Britons and Celts used the flowers in salves and beauty lotions. Monks called violets the Herb of the Trinity because they saw the symbol of the holy trinity in its three leaves. Medieval Christians believed violets were once strong, upright flowers until the day of the crucifixion, when the shadow of the cross fell upon them, causing them to bow their heads in shame for Christ’s persecution.

From the 16th Century, the violet's use as a pain reliever was extensive, since it is among the few plants to contain salicylic acid, the chief ingredient in aspirin.

Color Messages

Violets are a symbol of faithfulness, a symbol of purity and charm against evil. Blue violets says "I'll always be true" and signify constancy; white violets depict modesty, or the desire to "take a chance on happiness"; and yellow violets convey modest worth, and the White violets - depict modesty and the desire to "take a chance on happiness"

Corporal Violet

Legend has it that while Napoleon was in exile on the island of Elba, he confided to his partisans that he would return to France with the appearance of the violets in the spring, earning him the code name Corporal Violet. To determine a loyal supporter, a stranger was asked, “Do you like violets?” If the reply was “Yes” (Oui) or “No” (Non), it revealed one who did not know of the plot. If the answer was “Eh bien,” it confirmed the person’s loyalty.

Viorica - Romanian Violet

Once upon of time there was a girl called Violet. Her step mother didn’t like her, so one day she decided to get rid of the little girl. She took her over the forest and left her there in the cold winter. Not knowing how to get out of the forest in short time she fell asleep and froze to death.

But she didn’t die. She mannaged to transform herself into a little violet flower which we call Viorica (Violet). And from that moment on, Violets blossum in spring before the snow melts.

The story of the Momac Fountain

Momac Fountain

In the town of Pecica, Romania, there is an important fountain. This fountain was built by the notary Momac, in 1897, that's why, all people from Pecica are calling the fountain "The Momac Fountain".

They said the water of this fountain has a special power: the one who will drink from this fountain will someday come back into the town.

The legend of Retezat Mountain

Romanian National Park of Retezat is also known as “the charming land of the blue eyes”. In this natural national reservation, there are over 80 lakes, lakes which could be compared with the eyes of the mountain. So, Retezat Mountain can be considered fascinating massif. Since 1935 it houses a National Park, with a scientific reservation. The Park has recently been listed under the biosphere Reserves, a world patrimony therefore, that calls for adequate protection.

The Retezat Mountains (Romanian: Munţii Retezat) are one of the highest massifs in Romania, being part of the Southern Carpathians. The massif rises up between two major depressions - Petroşani and Haţeg, and two large rivers - Râul Mare and Jiul de Vest. It is skirted by the Ţarcu, Godeanu and Vâlcan Mountains.

Retezat Mountains

Retezat is probably the most prominent mountain area of the Southern Carpathians (also called sometimes "Transylvanian Alps"), covering almost 500 square km. Its average elevation is over 1500 m, with a quarter of its territory rising above 1800 m (and still rising in our days, by about 3.5 mm/year). The region, made up of mostly granite/grandiorite massifs, was formed by glaciers of the Pleistocene era. These glaciers streched over several kilometers (the longest one, in the Bucura Valley, could have surpassed 15 km). As a result of - in geological terms - recent glacial activity, Retezat is rich in beautiful tarns and waterfalls.

View of the Bucura glacial cirque from Bucura saddle

The main part of the massif, Retezatul Mare, consists mostly of crystalline rocks; the southern part, Retezatul Mic, contains important masses of limestone. The highest peak (2, 509 m) is Peleaga. A huge carp overlooks the Haţeg Depression.

There are two main ridges, approximately SW-NE oriented, joined in their central part. The northern ridge starts from the Gura Apelor Lake and has the Peaks Zlata (2, 142 m), Şesele (2, 278), Judele (2, 334), Bucura (2, 433), Peleaga (2, 509), Păpuşa (2, 508), Mare (2, 463), Lănciţa (2, 066), Brădet (1, 861). The southern ridge, Iorgovanu (2, 014 m) - Piule (2, 080) - Drăcşanu (2, 081) is lower and has the Peaks Custura (2, 457), Gruniu (2, 294), Lazăru (2, 282), Tulişa (1, 792). The most characteristic peak in area, named Retezat like the massif itself, reaches 2, 482 m. The two main ridges extend northwards into some elongated, parallel and fairly long ridges, and shorter extensions southwards.

Due to erosion by frost-cracking, the terrain is almost exclusively rocky in the higher regions.

The widely varied and spectacular landforms are the outcome of the glacial and periglacial modeling cycles: huge cirques, simple or complex; valleys indicating the presence of fairly long glaciers; lakes sheltered in the bosom of rocks; big masses of scree; sharp-edged or residual rocks. The largest and also the deepest glacial lakes in Romania are to be found here: Bucura (~10 ha) and Zănoaga (29 m), respectively. Some of the magnificent waterfalls are Lolaia, Ciumfu, Rovine.


A huge rock dummy on the way - others are much smaller. On the left (just by the rock doll): Vf. Peleaga (2509 m), on the right Vf. Mare (2463 m). In the middle: lakes of Valea Rea.

Especially the abundant blue and turcoise tarns (situated mostly, but not exclusively, between 1900 m and 2200 m above sea level) give this place a special charm. There are 82 lakes in total, including Romania's largest (in terms of surface area) and deepest glacial lakes: Lacul Bucura /Bucura Lake and Lacul Zănoaga /Zanoaga Lake, respectively.

Lakes and tarns in Retezat Mountains

The lowest and highest lakes of Retezat are "Tăul dintre Brazi" (1740 m) and Tăul Porţii (2230 m). Tăul Ţapului is remarkable because of its small island. In wintertime, all lakes get ice and snow cover, blending totally with the surroundings.


Bucura Lake (area: 8.8 ha, depth 15.7 m, elevation 2041 m)


Zănoaga Lake (1997 m) is the deepest lake of Retezat Mountains.(area 6.5 ha, depth 29m, elevation 1997 m )

The creeks of Retezat have several waterfalls, the two most notable ones being Cascada Ciomfu/ Ciomfu Waterfall in the very upper part of Râu Bărbat (more than 150 m in multiple cascades) and Cascada Lăpuşnicu Mare /Great Lapusnicu Waterfall (about 20 m high, but with ample water flow).

Lolaia waterfall

The Wildlife of National Reservation of Retezat

The flora and fauna of Retezat is very rich. Thankfully, protection of this area is strong, it is a National Park and also a UNESCO MAB reserve. Retezat is home to more than 1100 plant species (including Edelweiss, several species of Gentians, Rhododendron kotschyi, Doronicum carpaticum, Dianthus glacialis, etc.), at least 62 of them being endemic (Rubus retezaticus, Trifolium retezaticum, Festuca pacyphylla, Hieracium borzae and nigrilacus, just to name a few).

The forest covered slopes hide a wealth of fossil screes, while the juniper carpet unfolds on the highest ridges. Several plant species are protected: the yellow poppy, the crosswort, the yellow lily etc.

The flora from Retezat Mountain

Higher crests and sharp ridges are usually barren. The chamois, the mountain cock, the bear and the mountain rat represent the animal world. These mountains are also inhabited by wolves, lynx, bears, otters and marmots (re-introduced in the seventies), several species of birds of prey, reptiles like salamanders and vipers (Vipera berus and Cerastes cornutus - take care on sun-warmed rocks, especially in Little Retezat). Trouts are common in lakes and creeks. Cows are brought up from the villages to graze in the summer.

Frog

Chamois

Horses

The legend of Retezat Mountain

Once upon of time there was a family of giants. When the father died, his two children inherited each a mountain. But the girl was not happy with her mountain and she craved for her brother’s part. He didn’t want to give his sister his inheritance and thus she threw a big rock towards him. He ducked and the rock crushed the top of his mountain. From then the people call this mountain “Retezat”, the mountain without the top.


Vf. Retezat (2482 m)

Bucura II (in the middle) and Bucura I (right from it) peaks from Pietrele valley.

The legend of Iorgovan

Iovan Iorgovan is a character in Romanian mythology, similar in some ways with Hercules (some writers consider him to be the same person).

"It happened in those old times, when multiple-headed, fire-breathing dragons were the lords above the rocks, that Iorgovan, a strong young man was in love with a beautiful sheperd girl. One day, the girl didn't come back from the mountains. Iorgovan went to look for her, but his long and desperate search was in vain. Being saddened by the big loss, he decided not to return to his home in Wallachia, but to live in reclusion at the rock which is named after him today.

Iorgovan had been living like that for a while, when one day a beautiful female voice echoed from the distance. He immediately reckognised the voice of his lost love, who was kidnapped by a dragon. Iorgovan knew that he was thought to be dead at home, so he headed down to the other side of the mountains, to Transylvania, where he acquired a huge, 40-centner maul. Next time when the dragon was enjoying the sun on a nearby rock, Iorgovan took a horse to hop over the other rock and battled him, but the dragon was stronger.

Iorgovan survived, but was very upset about the defeat. So, he went down to Transylvania again, and this time he got an even bigger, 99-centner maul. With this he battled the dragon once again, and won after a long fight. The dragon breathed fire in his anger, turning all the trees and bushes in his way into ash. Iorgovan chased him all the way until the border. Here the dragon turned to him and said: "Well, Iorgovan, until now I was the lord of the mountains and all the animals who live there... from now on, you will be, but I'll send deadly flies to take a revenge on you and your herd".

The dragon left towards the mountains of Mehadia, and bled to death in one of its caves. His fire heated up the springs so much that flies still keep on coming and continuously pestering poor cattle in the mountains since then. And the horseshoe imprint of Iorgovan's horse can still be seen on the top of Iorgovan's rock..." (https://www.summitpost.org/retezat-mountains/265121)

Mrs. Twardowska

Eating, drinking, smoking pipes,
Dancing, laughing, having fun,
They have almost smashed the pub,
Having the time of their lives!

Twardowsky sat down at the table,
And leant his elbows on it
“Enjoy your life” – he said to himself,
Making laugh at everyone.

Had he drunk all vodka from his glass,
It made a terrible sound,
Soon he saw something spooky in it,
And asked - “Why have you come in here?”

It was devil inside,
Who bowed friendly to the guests,
He took off his hat and jumped of the glass,
Stood steadily on the wooden ground.

“Hello Twardowsky, my friend!”
While saying it, he knocked his heels,
“Don’t you know me? Indeed?”
“I’m Mefistofeles, my dear!”

“Though, it was in Lysa Gora place
Where you have talked to me,
You have signed the pact about a soul
With me and other demons here.”

“In two years’ time
You were to come to Rome,
To let us (devils)
Take your soul away.”

“Seven years have passed since then,
And you haven’t completed it yet,
You are misleading our hell,
Not thinking of visiting this place!”

“But revenge will come even slowly,
Throwing you to our place,
This place is “Rome” called, so
I’m taking you with me to the hell!”

“What should I do?” – Twardowsky is thinking
Getting more nervous and stressed.

Suddenly he’s come up with something new,
To make things even more canny,
“Look at the contract, Mefistoteles
You have promised something to me.”

“After all these years of waiting,
I will have three wishes to ask,
And you will fulfill them all,
With the most difficult tasks.”

“Look!” It’s the emblem of this inn
A horse painted on it.
I want to jump over its saddle
And ride on it even farther!”

“Then make a whip from the sand for me
To lash a horse with it,
And build a house in the forest for me,
To let me relax in it.”

“This house must be made of nuts
As high as Carpathian Mountains.”

Devil is making his wishes come true,
Cleaning and feeding the horse,
Then he made the sand whip
To be ready for further work.

Twardowsky mounted his horse
And tried some jumps and turns,
Then he galloped to check it again
And saw a new pretty place.

“You’ve won, Mefistofeles so far,
But you’ve forgotten about one more task:
You must bath in this basin right now,
It’s holy water inside.”

Devil is drilling and fidgeting
Until he gets really nervous,
But he’s doing what he’s said to
So he’s dipping himself in the water.

Suddenly he jumped from the water fast
He’s shaken and said with a smile
“Now, you’re mine
Cause I did what you asked.”

“One more thing and it’s a deal
(Your devil power will be weak)
Look, it’s a woman,
My wife – Mrs Twardowska”

“I’ll live there instead of you,
Just for a year at Belzebub,
And for this whole year
You’ll stay with my wife as her husband, too.”

“Promise her your love,
Promise her your respect,
Should you break one rule,
It all comes disrespect.”

Devil’s listening to Twardowsky
Pretending to look at his wife
But at the same time,
He’s reaching the door side

Twardowsky is teasing him more,
And makes him go from window to door,
Devil escaped through the key hole
And never returned to his home.

The legend of Mr Twardowski

Mr Twardowski on a rooster, graphic by A. Piotrowski, 1918

The most famous magician in Kraków, Mr Twardowski – so mysterious that the dispute as to whether he was a historical or fictitious person continues to this day – worked on the invention of the philosopher’s stone, which would allow the transmutation of any metal into gold, the rejuvenation of people, and the curing of all illnesses. In return for having all his wishes granted, the magician signed a pact with the devil, to whom he was to offer his soul when in Rome. One of the feats that Twardowski achieved thanks to the devil’s assistance was the building of the Błędowska Desert. The tale makes Twardowski Rocks in Zakrzówek the venue of the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that Master Twardowski ran. The rocks that received his name are rumoured to have originated on “a bad day” in the laboratory, that is the one when it actually exploded...

Trying to outsmart the devil, Twardowski carefully avoided going to Rome. Nevertheless, one day he guided his steps to a tavern, not knowing that “Rome is the name of that tavern”, and soon saw the devil coming to claim his soul. Not losing his wit, Twardowski quickly jumped on to the back of a rooster, and soared high into the sky. He is rumoured to still be living on the Moon and avoiding Kraków, so that his manservant – disguised as a spider – must spin a silver thread once a month and lower himself down to Kraków, to gather the latest gossip.

The Legend of Romanian Tricolour

Short Romania's History

Romanians have lived for 2 mileniums in 3 diferent lands/countries, but they were unified through the ortodox faith, which has created an unique language and also an unitary tradition, and after all an unitary state.

The 3 Historical Romanian Provinces: Transilvania, Moldova and Wallachia

The Great Union of Michael the Brave 1600

The Great Union Of Moldavia and Valachia Alexandru Ioan Cuza – 1859, January 24th

December 1st - Romanias National Day

Romania, nowadays

Saint Andrew – The Patron of Romanians

St. Andrew

On November 30th Romanians celebrate Saint Andrew (Andrei) – who is considered the protector of Romania. Saint Andrew is known as the one who Christianized our ancestors. In the evening of St. Andrew’s Day all the family members put some grain seeds to germinate.

St. Andrew's green grains

The plants which grow the most beautiful and tall it is said will give its owner a good and a healthy year. The Day of November 30th is also know as the Wolf’s Day. Wolves gain more power, and people should protect their animals and homes with garlic. The night of November 30th is a special night. The witches pick the magic plants for their future spells.

The legend of Romanian Flag

Liberty = sky blue
Justice = field yellow
Fraternity = blood red

1. Merger Legend

After 1860, a legend arose stating that the national tricolor had been formed by merging the colours of the Moldavian and Wallachian flags, probably out of a desire to reconcile all parties to the fact that the Wallachian revolutionary flag of 1848 had been chosen for all of Romania.

This legend was also convenient with respect to the colours attributed to the two principalities’ flags at the time (red and blue for Moldavia and blue and yellow for Wallachia).

Constantin Lecca - Moldavians and Muntenians become brothers

Another painting of Lecca shows the assassination of Michael the Brave in 1601. Also depicted is the united standard of the three provinces, with yellow on top (Wallachia), red in the middle (Moldavia) and blue below (Transylvania).

2. The Story of Romanian Tricolour

In 1821, when the revolutionary leader Tudor Vladimirescu called all the brave warriors to fight for freedom, a man, named Dragomir joined them.

Tudor Vladimirescu

He had 3 daughters, who gave him 3 handkerchiefs: one yellow, one blue and one white. The white one was from the younger daughter, and Dragomir kept this one close to his heart. One day, Dragomir was severely injured in the battle. The white handkerchief became red because of his blood. He died, and his colleagues found his 3 handkerchiefs: one red, one yellow, and one blue. Those brave warriors took the 3 handkerchiefs and put them like a flag on a stick - in the honour of Dragomir. They fought for the Independence and for the Union of Romanians under the three colours of the flag - which became the Romanian National Flag.