On 24th of February we celebrate the Romanian version of St. Valentine’s day, called “Dragobete”.
Dragobete was a young god in Dacia considered to be the protector of love and happiness. He was just like Cupid (god of love in Roman mythology) or like Eros (the greek god of love).
Today, all over Romania we have traditions and customs for this special day, like:
- As a couple , on this day you must not fight, otherwise you are looking at a bad year in front of you 🙂
- You must kiss on this day to have a rich and happy year.
- If you cry today, again this is a sign for a bad year, filled with sadness and more tears.
- As a single girl if you put a basil flower under your pillow, you’ll dream about your husband
🙂 (we have that also on Saint Andrew’s Day and on “Boboteaza” – 30th of November and 6th of January)- So, always have basil flowers with you! - It is a common belief in some parts of Romania that, during this celebration, stepping over a partner’s foot leads to the dominant role in the relationship.
Those who take part in Dragobete customs are supposed to be protected from illness, especially fevers, for the rest of the year.
So, remember:
Kiss!
Don’t fight!
Step over his/her foot!
Don’t cry!
Why? You’ll be happy for the rest of the year 🙂
I think we should say goodbye in the american way, but still, so appropriate for this God 🙂
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Cover photo credits: http://www.vremeanoua.ro/dragobetele-st-valentine%E2%80%99s-al-romanilor
Icon photo credits: http://coroana-brasovului.ro/cazare-weekend-dragobete-brasov/