Valentine’s Day, synonymous with love and romance, is celebrated annually on 14 February. People across the globe exchange tokens of affection like candy, flowers, and greeting cards, all in the name of love. But have you ever wondered about the origins of this special day and how it has evolved over time?
The mystery of Saint Valentine
The history of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in enigma, with its roots tracing back to both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. The Catholic Church recognises multiple saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. There are numerous legends surrounding these saints and their association with Valentine’s Day.
One such legend suggests that Valentine was a priest in Rome during the third century. Emperor Claudius II, believing that single men made better soldiers, outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, defying this decree, continued to marry young couples secretly. When his actions were discovered, Claudius ordered his execution.
Another theory posits that Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, was the true namesake of the holiday. He, too, was beheaded by Claudius II outside Rome. Some accounts even suggest that Valentine was martyred for helping Christians escape the harsh conditions of Roman prisons.
Regardless of the true identity of Saint Valentine, the stories surrounding him emphasise his heroic and romantic nature, which may have contributed to the holiday’s association with love and affection.
The connection to Lupercalia
While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in mid-February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial, others argue that it was an attempt by the Christian church to “Christianise” the pagan festival of Lupercalia.
Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, was celebrated on 15 February. The festival involved various rituals, including the pairing of women with men by a lottery system. At the end of the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I outlawed Lupercalia, and it is sometimes attributed that he replaced it with St. Valentine’s Day. However, the connection between the two remains speculative.
The evolution of Valentine’s Day as a romantic celebration
It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that Valentine’s Day became definitively associated with love and romance. It was commonly believed in France and England that 14 February marked the beginning of the mating season for birds, further reinforcing the idea of love and romance on this day. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to record Valentine’s Day as a romantic celebration in his 1375 poem “Parliament of Foules.”
The exchange of Valentine’s greetings can be traced back to the Middle Ages, although written Valentines only began appearing in the 15th century. The oldest known Valentine still in existence is a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. The tradition of sending handwritten notes and tokens of affection continued to gain popularity, and by the 18th century, printed cards began replacing written letters due to advancements in printing technology.
The role of Cupid and other symbols
Cupid, the Roman god of love, is often depicted on Valentine’s Day cards as a cherubic figure launching arrows of love at unsuspecting individuals. Cupid has his origins in Greek mythology as Eros, the Greek god of love.
Throughout history, Eros has been portrayed in various ways, from a handsome immortal playing with the emotions of gods and men to the mischievous, chubby child commonly seen on Valentine’s Day cards.
Hearts, the traditional symbol of emotion, are also prominently featured on Valentine’s Day cards and gifts. Birds, as mentioned earlier, became a symbol of the day due to the belief that their mating season began in mid-February.
The lasting legacy of Valentine’s Day
Today, Valentine’s Day has transcended its romantic origins and has become an occasion to express affection between family members and friends. As people continue to celebrate love and affection on 14 February, the legacy of Saint Valentine and the ancient festival of Lupercalia lives on.
While its origins remain somewhat mysterious, the holiday continues to captivate hearts worldwide as a celebration of love, affection, and friendship. No matter how you choose to commemorate Valentine’s Day, it is a beautiful reminder to cherish the love and connection we share with others.
