Happy Love Day!

Happy Love Day!

in The Midnight Cup of Coffee

24Feb
5162

Today we celebrate ‘Dragobete’, the equivalent of ‘Love Day’ (of if you want, your Valentine’s Day).

 

Dragobete is a traditional Romanian holiday originating from Dacian times and celebrated on February, the 24th. Specifically, Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia, which stands for the main character in the pagan myth related to spring arrival and the end of the harsh winter.

The day is particularly known as “the day when the birds are betrothed”. It is around this time that the birds begin to build their nests and mate. On this day, considered locally the first day of spring, boys and girls gather vernal flowers and sing together. Maidens used to collect the snow that still lies on the ground in many villages and then melt it, using the water in magic potions throughout the rest of the year. Those who take part in Dragobete customs are supposed to be protected from illness, especially fevers, for the rest of the year. If the weather allows, girls and boys pick snowdrops or other early spring plants for the person they are courting.

In Romania, Dragobete is known as a day for lovers, rather like Valentine’s Day. It is a common belief in some parts of Romania that, during this celebration, if you step over your partner’s foot, you will have the dominant role in your relationship.

me and my husband

[Personal pictures]

So, this is my way of shouting from the rooftop that I have so much love in my life. I love my husband, my family, my friends, the things that I do, the books I read..

I wish you all a lot of happiness, of love… or of anything else that means a lot in your life!

See you guys around!

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LEAVE A COMMENT

7 responses to “Happy Love Day!”

  1. Amelia says:

    Happy love day to you too!

  2. Annie J. says:

    I love this! I’d never heard of dragobete before but with all the cynicism about valentines day being created by card companies to cool to hear about a different but similar cultural celebration. It sounds really fun 🙂

    • Ari says:

      Truth being told it is sad that, here as well nowadays, people barely remember/celebrate it, as it’s all about Valentine’s cards and expensive presents *sigh* But when I was a kid there was no Valentine’s, only Dragobete, a non-commercial holiday meant to show/express your love, not to simply ‘buy’ it (and it is not that I have a problem with the international ‘love day’, it’s the marketing behind it that makes me sad).

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