Mărțișor is a specific celebration and tradition in Romania & Moldova on March 1st when people gift each other a talisman named "Mărțișor" that is worn by both women and men as pins, bracelets, necklaces, etc. This item is believed to be a symbol of the coming spring and that it will bring stamina and health to the wearer during the year.
Originally, the "Mărțișor" was named the Year's Rope ( in romanian language: "funia anului") and was made with black and white wool strings that symbolized the 365 days of the year and the blend of summer and winter.
Lately(in modern times) the Mărțișor has lost its talisman meaning as the majority of the people, especially in urban areas, offer it as a symbol of love, friendship, respect or admirance. Compared to the old times when most of the Mărțișors had white and black strings representing the opposition and the harmony of opposites: light and dark, life and death, warm and cold, nowadays most of them have red and white strings or no strings at all being replaced with simple or gold/silver plated jewels.
Here is a picture of the Mărțișors I purchased and offered to my family and friends:
