Dragobete – The Lost Pagan God of Love
The Lost Pagan God Dragobete was a protector of joy, love and fertility. This pagan god had different dates of celebration in different areas and those dates were sometime between the 24th of February and the 25th of March.
He announced people the long winter was coming to its end and the sunny weather was approaching.
The old Dacian feast was more of a fertility ritual, local human community following the lead of the blooming nature.
His name comes from the Dacian (Roumanian)word “trago” (this meant “he” which was a symbol of vitality and fecundity) and “pede” (legs).
When people turned to Christianity, Dragobete became a genuine symbol of spring and pure love.
People believed that Dragobete or Iovan Dragobete (as he was known in some parts of the country) was a handsome nice lad, son of the hateful Baba Dochia.
So he was a positive character, a solar good symbol in opposition to his old lady, Baba Dochia, embodiment of hateful and cold elements of winter.
Dragobete was a rogue god with a typical Balkan volcanic character, somehow similar to the Greek Eros and who used to play tricks to young people.
A legend says he was turned into a flower – hart’s tongue – by Virgin Mary as he dared to annoy Her too (this legend is a clear example of the mixture of religious and pagan elements and characters).
Ancient Dacian population believed Dragobete was the animals’ godfather and that he was the one to officiate the beasts’ weddings up in the sky.
In time he became the symbol and protector of love, fertility and of the entire blooming nature – including plants, animals and humans too.
The legend has it that people who get engaged on the 24th of February (Dragobete’s Day) would be happy, joyful and remain deeply in love with each other for the whole year round.
http://www.unseenromania.com/traditions/dragobete-the-lost-romanian-god-...
Nothing Edfis.
I said, Paganisim is badass. Not bad as.
Davidak whats so bad about being a Pagan!
15th Feb was then the Feast of the Lupercalia. When menn used to run naked across the streets and women stood by to watch. Those who had no kids used to stand with a leather thongs in their hand and touched the male with the leather thong in order to cure their infertility.
Paganisim is so badass.
here you go:
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/374687
Roman emperor Claudius II decreed in the third century CE that soldiers should not get married, because marriage would distract them from the wars they used to fight.
I can, but i will not. I put myself in a dangerous situation, that is: " why didn't you tell me about this before we got married for good baby?" hahahahaha:-)
This marriage for a day is a dangerous thing, but I am sure very convenient for men
But...what about "‘marriage for a day"?
Mr. Ovidiu Teodor Cretu will set up contests such as ‘marriage for a day’.:)
Can you explain this to your hubby? :P
It's a beautiful legend , original with lots of colour and sparkle. I think every people has a story of love adapted to their culture and it would be so nice to find out more about it.
I don't mind spending 2 "love days " Mr Dracula :-)
A Transylvanian mayor starts a campaign to promote the Romanian version of lovers day.
Mr. Ovidiu Teodor Cretu from Bistrita city wants to convince everybody that the best lovers day isn’t the well known ‘Valentine’s day’ but the old Romanian feast of Dragobetele, celebrated on 24th February.
So he will set up contests such as ‘find your match’ or ‘marriage for a day’.
According to Romanian tradition, Dragobetele is actually a version of Cupid that spreads love among all souls, not only people but also animals, as the day of 24th of February is close to the first archaic spring day.
In old times, Dragobetele used to be celebrated in Romanian villages by all people, not only by the young ones.
http://www.seventimes.ro/fun_and_odd/valentines_day_or_dragobetele.html