Valentine’s day is a holiday that celebrates romance and love. Exchange chocolates and flowers as a token of love. But what are the origins of this romantic holiday? Originally known as Lupercalia, the holiday was celebrated February 13-15 and was a Pagan festival celebrating the coming of spring. A dog and goat would be sacrificed in order for greater fertility in the women.
Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14th, celebrates expressing love and affection towards our loved ones. The origins of this seemingly simple holiday are wrapped up in pagan festivals and ancient Rome.
Originally known as Lupercalia, one of the first origins of Valentine’s day can be traced back to ancient Rome, where the Pagan festival was celebrated in mid-February. This festival was dedicated to fertility and the coming of spring. During Lupercalia, young men would draw names of young women from a box, and they would be paired together to sacrifice a goat and a dog for greater fertility in the women.
As time went on, the spreading of Christianity led to the morphing of the holiday. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day, in honor of a Christian martyr named Valentine. The exact identity of the man is a mystery, but his story is associated with acts of love and sacrifice.
St. Valentine was a priest who went against Emperor Claudius, who banned young men from getting married believing it distracted them from their duty to serve the country. But, St. Valentine believed that marriage was a sacred bond and kept performing the marriages in secret. When his actions were discovered, he was imprisoned and later executed on February 14th.
Others claim St. Valentine sent the first Valentine’s Day greeting while imprisoned. He allegedly fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” a phrase that is still used today.
The association between St. Valentine’s day and love began to grow throughout the Middle Ages. It was believed that birds began to mate on February 14th, further solidifying the connection between love and this date.
The tradition of exchanging handwritten notes and tokens of affection on Valentine’s Day began in the 14th century. These notes, known as “valentines,” were often decorated with intricate designs and heartfelt messages. By the 18th century, printed cards became more popular, and the tradition of sending valentines spread across Europe.
In the United States, Esther A. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” started mass-producing valentines in the mid-19th century. Her beautifully crafted cards, wrapped with lace, ribbons, and colorful pictures, became widely popular and helped popularize Valentine’s Day as a commercial holiday.
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide, with people exchanging gifts, flowers, and chocolates to express their love and appreciation for one another. It has become a day to celebrate not only romantic love but also friendship and familial love.
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, let us remember the rich history behind this holiday. Whether you choose to embrace the legends of St. Valentine or simply enjoy the opportunity to express your affection, Valentine’s Day remains a special day to celebrate love in all forms.