Photos

Around the world there are many holidays having to do with death. They all share the same basis: honoring the dead, ancestors or relatives. Besides the American Halloween and the Mexican Days of the Dead, there are Qing Ming, Rusalii, Samhain and Memorial Day.

Over the year, the Romanians have 18 holidays dedicated to the „Mosi” (the dead in general), but the most important is the day before „Rusalii”. The holiday is influenced by a pre-crestian cult of the dead, marqued by the Geto-Dacs’ attitude in front of death: answering it with laughter and joy.

„Rusalii” (or Whit Sunday) does not have a fixed date, taking place 50 days after Easter. “Rusaliile” are mythical beings, similar to the fairies, but older and uglier, which fly, sing and dance at the fountain, at crossroads and in glades and punish those who don’t celebrate them (by not working the fields or with the animals, cleaning the house or climbing trees).

On the day before , people put wormwood or branches of linden tree on the roof of the house or at the door, so as to be protected from danger.

The “Rusalii” have a strong connection to the dead. The tradition says that on Holy Thursday the souls of the dead are allowed to leave their graves and visit Heaven and their families between Easter and „Rusalii”. People give for charity „pomana” (red eggs, bread, fruits etc) in order to make the dead undersand where they belong and go back happy.

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The picture is taken in a small village cemetery outside of Iasi. I liked the combination of colors, the bloomed trees - as a sign of life - by the crosses.
In the WS, another simple wooden cross, in a beautiful blue, surrounded by spring vegetation.