IOANA's DRAWINGS

"Martisor" is a small talisman traditionally offered by boys to girls and worn the first week of March. An old Thracian celebration, the custom exists in Romania and adjoining countries - it initially consisted only of two threads, one white symbolizing the snow in winter, and one red standing for blood and the rebirth of nature in spring. In time, the two threads have been complemented by small jewelry-like brooches made of different materials in the form of flowers, crosses, birds, traditional symbols, quatre-foil, insects etc. Many consider it the equivalent of a Valentine in the Western cultures...