Valentine Day From Ancient Roots to Modern Love Celebrations

February 14, 2024February 14, 2024

In today’s world, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with expressions of love, romance, and affection. Every February 14th, couples exchange gifts, send heartfelt messages, and indulge in romantic dinners, all in celebration of their love for one another. But how did this day come to symbolize love, and what is the history behind its romantic connotations?

Valentines Day Origins

The origins of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to ancient Roman and Christian traditions. One popular belief is that Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. According to legend, Saint Valentine defied the orders of Emperor Claudius II, who had banned marriage for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Valentine continued to perform marriages in secret, leading to his arrest and eventual execution. Before his death, it is said that Valentine sent a letter to his jailer’s daughter, signing it “From your Valentine,” thus establishing the tradition of sending love letters on Valentine’s Day.

Another theory suggests that Valentine’s Day has its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated in mid-February. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. During the festival, young men would draw the names of women from a jar, and they would be paired together for the duration of the festival, often leading to marriage. Outside the city walls, shepherds prayed to the deity Lupercus to keep an eye on their sheep while they fought off ravenous wolves. The Romans honoured the god’s watchfulness each year in February by holding a festival that also marked the arrival of spring and fertility. In order to cleanse their bodies in anticipation of giving birth, newlywed women would be flogged with februa, which are strips of goat skin from whence our term February originates. On February 14, an eroticism-infused ode to Juno Februata, the goddess of furious love (the Cilla Black of Latina mythology), was one of the highlights of Lupercalia. Young males would pick maidens’ names at random, and the resulting pair would become lifelong partners at the feast. The celebration ran for centuries and was very well-liked. Following Constantine’s conversion of Rome to Christianity, the Church made an effort to suppress pagan practices, and Lupercalia, with its gory temptations, was an obvious target. In order to identify a worthy successor for the wolf deity Lupercus in the fifth century, Pope Galasius selected Valentine, a bishop who had been crucified 200 years before.

Valentine was put in jail by Emperor Aurelius in 272 AD for his refusal to abstain from marrying Christian troops in defiance of a royal proscription (Aurelius needed them to wage his battles). After curing the blindness of his jailer’s daughter while he was incarcerated, the couple fell deeply in love—quite literally, “love at first sight.” Their hopes were ultimately dashed when the bishop was put to death on February 14 of the following year. The doomed guy sent his sweetheart a heartfelt letter on the eve of his execution, signing it simply “your Valentine.”

Over time, these ancient traditions merged with Christian beliefs to become the Valentine’s Day we know today. The association between Valentine’s Day and romantic love began to solidify in the Middle Ages, thanks in part to the writings of poets like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare. Chaucer’s poem “Parliament of Foules” and Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” both make reference to Valentine’s Day as a day for lovers.

In the 18th century, the tradition of exchanging handmade cards and tokens of affection on Valentine’s Day became increasingly popular in England. These cards, known as “valentines,” often featured elaborate designs and sentimental verses. The tradition spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the United States, where it became commercialized in the 19th century with the mass production of printed cards.

Valentine in Modern Days

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world as a day to express love and affection for romantic partners, family members, and friends. While the traditions vary from country to country, common customs include exchanging gifts such as flowers, chocolates, and jewelry, as well as sharing romantic meals and experiences together.

Despite its commercialization, Valentine’s Day remains a special occasion for many people to celebrate love and relationships. Whether it’s a grand gesture or a simple heartfelt message, the sentiment behind Valentine’s Day is a reminder to cherish and appreciate the people we love in our lives.

In conclusion, the evolution of Valentine’s Day from ancient rituals to modern-day celebrations is a testament to the enduring power of love and romance. Whether you’re celebrating with a romantic partner, friends, or family, Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder to express affection and appreciation for those who enrich our lives with love.