Valentine's Day
Wow, what a day! One of the most positive holidays of the year. It is not about some abstract event or something in the past. It is about real human feelings that we have all experienced and can relate to. It focuses on experiences in the “here-and-now”. It is about one of the most positive human expressions we can all agree on. It is about love, and it is about relationships. What more could you ask?
And now, a little history. Valentine’s Day has its origins in both ancient Roman traditions and Christian history.
According to the references I checked:
A. Ancient Roman Festival: Lupercalia
One of the earliest influences on Valentine’s Day is believed to be Lupercalia, a Roman fertility festival celebrated on February 15. During this festival, priests would sacrifice animals and use their hides to bless fields and women, believing this would increase fertility. A matchmaking lottery was also a part of the celebration, where men and women would be paired together.
B. Saint Valentine
The holiday is also linked to Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century. There are multiple legends about him:
• One popular story suggests that Valentine was a priest who secretly performed marriages for young soldiers, defying Emperor Claudius II, who had banned marriages to keep soldiers focused on war.
• Another tale claims he helped persecuted Christians and was imprisoned. Before his execution, he allegedly wrote a farewell letter to a woman he loved (possibly the jailer’s daughter) and signed it “From your Valentine”—a phrase still used today.
C. Pope Gelasius I & the Establishment of Valentine’s Day
In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day, possibly to replace Lupercalia with a more Christian celebration.
D. Romantic Connections in the Middle Ages
By the 14th and 15th centuries, thanks to poets like Geoffrey Chaucer, Valentine’s Day became linked to romance. Chaucer’s poem Parliament of Fowls (1382) describes February 14 as the day when birds find their mates, strengthening the idea of love and courtship.
E. Modern Valentine’s Day
By the 17th and 18th centuries, the exchange of love notes and gifts became common. The Victorian era (19th century) saw mass-produced Valentine’s cards gain popularity. Today, it’s a global celebration of love, with traditions like giving flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt messages.
So, while Valentine’s Day started with ancient Roman rituals and Christian martyrdom, it evolved over centuries into the romantic holiday we know today.
The result is that February 14th provides an opportunity to practice love in honor of this most humane holiday.
