On This Day: The Veneralia—Bathing Venus
April 2: Roman women washed Venus’ statue in river water, hoping the goddess of love might wash troubles away too.
Lorenzo Lotto — "Venus and Cupid" (1520s), public domain
A goddess in need of a bath?
On April 2, Roman women carried an image of Venus Verticordia to the river. They stripped garlands, dipped her in the cold water, and prayed for help in love—and for virtue, too. Even men sometimes joined the rituals, hoping to sway hearts.
Love, perfume, and a whiff of anxiety.
The Veneralia mixed devotion and nervousness: Venus Verticordia was meant to keep Roman women chaste—and keep lovers loyal. Perfume, flowers, and whispered wishes floated downriver, a tribute to love’s unpredictable tide.
During the Veneralia, Rome’s women honored Venus Verticordia—‘Changer of Hearts’—with flowers, incense, and ritual bathing.
