Matronalia
~ Festival of Woman
In
ancient Roman religion, the Matronalia (or Matronales Feriae) was a festival
celebrating Juno Lucina, the goddess of childbirth ("Juno who brings
children into the light"), and of motherhood (mater is "mother"
in Latin) and women in general. In the original Roman calendar traditionally
thought to have been established by Romulus, it was the first day of March (Martius), the month of Mars, it was
also the Feriae Martis.
The date
of the festival was associated with the dedication of a temple to Juno Lucina
on the Esquiline Hill circa 268 BCE, and possibly also a commemoration of the
peace between the Romans and the Sabines.
On the
day, women would participate in rituals at the temple, although the details
have not been preserved other than the observation that they wore their hair
loose, and were not allowed to wear belts or to knot their clothing in any
place.
At home,
women received gifts from their husbands and daughters.