“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.”
Spring arrives and if is not spring a rebirth then who? How will you celebrate Spring? Have you ever visit Crete in Spring?
Just one more day and Spring officially will be landed, How will you welcome her?
By giving your home a deep spring clean?
By planning your garden and outdoor plants?
By picking a new book?
By planning your trip?
Spring arrives and if is not spring a rebirth then who?
Spring customs on Crete now and then
Spring is (almost) in the air in Greece, and Greeks will soon begin preparations to welcome the new season by celebrating an ancient annual custom. The tradition of “Martis” entails that everyone, regardless of age, adorns themselves with red and white bracelets made from thread, from March 1 until the last day of the month on March 31.
The ancient tradition of Martis (from which the month of March derives its name) dates back to the cults of Demeter and Persephone, which began thousands of years ago in ancient Greece. Eleusis was the ancient city where the ancients performed secret rites for the cult.
As a form of initiation into the cult, which was one of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the faithful wore a bracelet called a “kroki” around both their right hand and left ankle. Amazingly, the ancient tradition still lives on today in modern Greece. However, there are certain rules that one must abide by when creating and wearing the symbolic bracelet which celebrates the arrival of Spring.
Most importantly, the bracelet must be woven on the last day of February and it must be made of white and red thread. The white thread of the bracelet symbolizes purity while the red represents life and passion.
In ancient times, people believed that the bracelet helped protect the person who was wearing it from diseases, as well as the strong rays of the spring sun during the month of March.
Part of the ancient tradition in Greece calls for the person wearing their red and white “Martis” bracelet to take it off and tie it to the first flowering tree they see in March, in order to yield a healthy harvest and to keep the tree healthy.
Another lovely tradition that Greeks practice with Martis bracelets occurs when the first swallow of the Spring is sighted. The first person who sees a swallow upon the bird’s return from its winter migration ties their bracelet around the nearest rose bush to encourage the bird to make its nest there.
Nowadays, for extra protection, the “Evil Eye” is being incorporated into these quaint bracelets, another Greek custom, protecting against evil.
“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.” - Pablo Neruda
Renting a car in Spring is the best way to explore Crete, for travellers who prefer to make their own itinerary. Many interesting villages and settlements, Cretan beaches, monuments, cosmopolitan cities and reveal the magnificent of Crete.
Our local car rental offers affordable car rental rates for all vehicles.
You can collect the car directly at Chania airport or at Heraklion airport ( HER) so you can get on the road at once. Alternatively, if you are arriving by boat, a rented car can be brought to you when you disembark in Souda Port or Heraklion Port.
Choose from luxury and economic vehicles and enjoy a car from a quality car fleet, all protected by fully-comprehensive insurance policies and equipped with different amenities to help make your trip more comfortable and discover the beautiful island of Crete..
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