Dragobetele, the Romanian version of Valentines day

We continue the series of articles that aim to bring you a little closer to the loving Romanians. Yes, Romanians are such lovers, and that is why we chose to tell you today about the celebration of love – Dragobete.

Dragobetele taught people to give and receive love. This day of February 24 is around Baba Dochia’s days, but also the spring equinox. It is said that this event used to be celebrated on March 1.

Once upon a time, girls and boys met in front of the village church and went in search of spring flowers, dressed in festive clothes. If there were also flowering berries, they were picked in bouquets and placed on the girls’ belts, who sang a few magical verses to receive and give love.

In the middle of the day, the girls ran back to their homes, followed by the boy who like her. If the boy was quick and caught up with her, the girl kissed him in front of the world, but only if she liked him (hence the expression “Dragobetele kisses the girls”). If the kiss existed, the two were considered engaged for that year or even longer. This is how love was shown in the village.

Also, the boys didn’t have to upset the girls because they will attract bad luck all year. It was believed that on this holiday they had to joke, laugh, dance and sing so that the young lovers would stay the same all year round. Thus, Dragobete Day was one of joy and good mood.

“Some young people, on Dragobete Day, cut their arm in the shape of a cross, after which they overlapped their cuts, thus becoming brothers and sisters of the cross, respectively. They took brothers and sisters without the ritual of slapping their arms, only through hugs, brotherly kisses, and an oath of mutual help. Those who were brothers or sisters of the cross made a feast for friends “, said Simion Florea Marian. Also, in the evening, the last remnants of snow were collected (called “fairy snow”) and they waited to melt in order to use the water in various beauty rituals or love spells.

Other people believe that Dragobete is in fact a young man of unusual beauty who was born with the help of four fairies: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each of them endowed him with something. From the first one, he received the love of flowers, the beauty, the freshness, and youth; from the second one, he received the sweetness of flowers and the warmth of love. From the Autumn he had the power to make people celebrate and enjoy life, especially when it’s hard, and the fourth offered him glittering and eye-catching clothes, to further highlight her beauty, making him irresistible to people.

The mythical character travels for hundreds of years and, as he traveled the world, he taught people how to give love and receive it in turn. It is said even now that boys are shown in a dream on the night of February 23 to 24 to learn from the mysteries of love.

His end took place when love reigned in the world, and our beautiful character was transformed into a plant found in the lands of Romania, the “năvalnicul” or ”invader” in English. His message was strong: love heals and defeats any other negative feeling, especially when it is offered all the time, not only on Valentine’s Day.