2. Who is Dragobete?
 Dragobete is thought to have been a very
handsome god, who enjoyed love very much.
 He used to perform the wedding ceremony of all
animals and birds, in the beginning of spring. In
time, the tradition extended to humans, too.
 He is also a god of good mood and
humour, which explains the parties organised
on the 24th of February.

3. Dragobete Day
the Romanian equivalent of
Valentine's Day celebration
feast of love, celebrated on
February 24th
It marks the archaic early spring
day when nature wakes up, bears
get out of the den, birds
search for nests, and everyone
enjoys nature.

4. Dragobete Day traditions

5. What were the Dragobete Day traditions?
Romanian popular belief has it that those who attend ceremonies on Dragobete Day
would be spared of diseases all year.
In the morning, wearing their best clothes, young people met in the village center or
in front of the church. If the weather was favorable, they went singing in the woods
or meadows, looking for snowdrops and other miraculous plants (used for love spells).
If there was bad weather, they gathered in one of their homes, playing games and
telling stories.
It was a good day for engagements. It is believed that those who got engaged on
Dragobete Day were sure to have a wedding the next year
Some girls used to melt snow and kept the water because they believed in its
magical properties, especially for cosmetic purposes.
It was also a belief that unmarried young persons who did not attend a Dragobete
party or those who did not see a person of the opposite sex on the 24th of February
would remain single for the rest of the year.

6. Since Valentine’s Day became a global celebration of
love, people in Romania enjoy romance twice in February
– first on the 14th and then on the 24th
Modern traditions for Dragobete are similar to those for
Valentine’s :
- offering roses and candies to the one you love
- writing cards with love messages
- going to parties
- getting engaged
- getting married for a day