Moving abroad brings a lot of “new”: new landscapes, new language, new people, new jobs, new living space, new shops, new food, etc. It is good to look into the future and the bright sides of these changes. Yet, alongside the “new,” there are “lacks” that cannot be replaced. One of them is the traditions celebrated in our homelands. They used to be so common and natural that we often only notice their absence when we can no longer observe them.
In Poland, since ages, every spring couldn’t start without the drowning of Marzanna. It was a true sign that winter was over and that warmth, light, and new possibilities were on the way. After Marzanna was submerged in water, the air felt less chilly, and the Sun shone brighter.
The tradition of drowning Marzanna is so deeply rooted in Polish culture that it resisted incorporation into Christian holidays, unlike other traditions such as Zaduszki or Noc Kupały, which evolved into All Soul’s Day and Saint John’s Night. Marzanna has survived in its unchanged form to this day, even though she is a Slavic goddess associated with winter, death, and rebirth. In tradition, she represents the harshness of winter and the cycle of nature.
Her name originates from the Proto-Slavic root mar-, which meant “death” or “dying.” It is related to words such as:
• “mara” – phantom, ghost, specter
• “umrzeć” – to die, to pass away
• “marność” – something fleeting, impermanent
The month in which the ritual is celebrated also refers to Marzanna and her Slavic roots: marzec (March). Even though the official etymology of the month links it to the Roman god of war, Mars, the connection to Marzanna seems more convincing to me.
The ritual of drowning Marzanna’s effigy was originally intended to ensure a good harvest, prosperity, and protection from misfortune in the coming year. It is mainly observed on March 21st, the first day of the calendar spring. Traditionally, children and young people create an effigy of Marzanna using straw and fabric. In a festive procession, they carry it through villages or towns while singing. Finally, the effigy is thrown into a river or lake, sometimes after being set on fire, symbolizing the final farewell to winter.
Today, the Drowning of Marzanna is more of a fun event, often organized in schools to celebrate the first day of spring, rather than a magical ritual. However, it still carries the old symbolism of the transition between seasons and the renewal of nature. This tradition also serves as a reminder of ancient Slavic beliefs and their connection to the cyclical changes in nature.
My kids, who attend schools in the U.S., associate springtime with St. Patrick’s Day and bring clovers for good luck. I enjoy the holiday with its rainbow, smiling gnome, and pot of gold, but I miss Marzanna, so I teach my kids about this tradition. I tell them how, as a child, I participated in making Marzanna’s effigy, decorating her with ribbons and bows; how we carried it to the river with laughter and, along the way, looked for the first signs of spring: coltsfoots and swollen buds.
Marzanna’s drowning remains a vibrant element of Polish folklore and a joyful way to welcome spring. The tradition also serves as a reminder of ancient Slavic beliefs and their connection to the cyclical changes in nature. To me, it’s also important to show that we, as people, have some power and can actively participate in the natural changes. With our hands, we can help end winter, start work in the fields, and not just wait for good luck.
Anna Kaminska
