Dragobete

Dragobete is a traditional Romanian holiday originating from Dacian times and celebrated on February, the 24th. It is around this time that the birds begin to build their nests and mate, so that this day is particularly known as "the day when the birds are betrothed", or the "Romanian's day of love", when Romanians celebrate not only the ancient love day, but also the rebirth of nature and the symbol of protection against diseases . Anyhow, the Romanian "Dragobete" is a positive character originated from Romanian folklore considered symbol of pure love or the Romanian counterpart of Greek "Eros". "Dragobete", named also "Dragomir", was the son of Baba Dochia (a Daco-Thracian tale said that Dochia was the sister of Decebal, the Dacian ruler). Dochia took her sheep and her son up in the mountains to seek refuge from the invasion of the Romans. Although she carried 12 lambskins, when she runs away in the mountains, she looses them and freezes, latter being metamorphosed into a stone. Her son, Dragobete, was a handsom guy, lover of wild nature, who liked to kiss girls; that is why a special saying is dedicated to this custom ‘Dragobete kisses the girls.’ Also called Spring’s Sign, he is assimilated to the Cupid in the Roman mythology. Folk tales describe him as a merry young man, with a good heart and a native talent for playing the flute. There are many beliefs referring to this holiday. For instance, they say that attendants to this holiday would be protected from diseases, and especially fever, and that Dragobete helps people to have a successful year. 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. If the weather allows, girls and boys go to the woods and pick snowdrops or other early spring plants for the person they are courting. When the girls are heading home, the boys are supposed to steal a kiss from them. The couple that kissed in front of the others are considered engaged for a whole year. During the evening, the girls and boys gather round a fire and they tell stories and sing songs.