With the month of love come knocking millions of wishes from friends and lovers! But, was Valentine’s day always about roses and candies and presents and hugs? Would you believe us if we told you that Valentine’s day is actually Saint Valentine’s day? Are you feeling a little weird about celebrating it now? Fret not, dear friend. Travel with us to ancient times and discover the history of the day of love!
Legend #1
Love as a crime and sentenced Valentine!
An ancient Roman legend from around the 3rd century goes on to tell us about how Emperor Claudius II out-lawed the marriages of young men because, after observation and testing, he found out that single men were better soldiers. A particular St. Valentine, however, saw the absurdity of this decree and continued to ordain marriages of young lovers in secret. Obviously, the Emperor found out about this and sentenced Valentine to death. Because Valentine helped love win over the ridiculous law, this day is celebrated in his memory.
Legend #2
…from your Valentine
A second legend tells us of a Saint Valentine who was jailed. During his imprisonment, the jailor’s blind daughter would often visit him. They soon became friends, and then lovers. Valentine restored her eyesight, being the cause of much happiness. Before death, he wrote a letter to the jailor’s daughter and signed it from your Valentine. We still use this sign, so it can be considered the first Valentine’s day greeting!
Legend #3
Savior Valentine!
The third legend, revolving around Bishop of Terni, Valentine, talks of his bravery and compassion. The Bishop was beheaded outside Rome on February 14th. Why, you may ask? Because he selflessly volunteered to help Christians escape the Roman brutality. Valentine’s day is said to be celebrated in his honour.
The Pagan Celebration and its Christianization!
February has been associated with fertility in the Pagan world. So, it should come as no surprise to us that the Pagans celebrated a festival called Lupercalia on the 15th of February. The celebration was dedicated to the Roman God of agriculture and the Roman founders. How did the celebration take place? The Pagans gathered at a cave, sacrificed a goat (for fertility) and a dog (for purity) and then cut the goat’s hide in strips. These strips were dipped in sacrificial blood. They would then take the dipped hide strips and gently slap the fields and the women with them. Yes, we are so creeped out, but the Pagans weren’t. The women actually welcomed these gentle slaps because they believed it would make them more fertile. Lupercalia was outlawed because it was considered un-Christian. A Christian holiday in its place, minus the spooky part was established –– a holiday celebration fertility and mating!
So when was Valentine’s Day declared?
Pope Gelasius, in the 5th century, declared the 14th of February as Valentine’s Day, but it wasn’t until much later that the day started being associated with romance.
Why Romance?
Well, avian birds mate during mid-February. Therefore, during the middle ages, everyone decided to honour these birds and make this day a day of romance (birds should be honoured more, don’t you think?). Yes, that’s probably where “love-birds” comes from, too!
When and where was the Valentine’s day first mentioned in written?
Men spoke much before they wrote, but what men wrote is remembered much more than what they spoke. Did we confuse you? Read that again. Even though it had been in celebration for some time now, our first written proof of Valentine’s day was found in the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem “The Parliament of Fowls” in 1375 (yes, that’s almost 650 years ago!). He says that on Seynt Valentynes Day, “every foul cometh ther to chase his make”. He’s basically saying that on Valentine’s day, birds come and choose their mates.
How did we get from dog-and-goat sacrifice to roses-and-candies?
Around the 18th century, publishers started publishing Valentine’s day greeting cards. In the USA, UK, France, Australia, Canada, etc., people started openly expression love on this day through cards (because the written word is the best!), chocolates (who doesn’t love chocolates!?) and red roses (because red is for love!).
From there to here has been a roller-coaster ride. Celebrating the martyrdom of saints through feasts, celebrating the victory of love over evil, celebrating fertility through gentle slaps and celebrating love in all forms now, Valentine’s day isn’t “just” a made-up holiday, and now you know how symbolic it is!
Share the tradition behind the V-Day with everyone you love and tell us what they think!
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