The history of Valentine’s Day spans hundreds of years, deriving from acts of compassion to celebrating fertility. Though Valentine’s Day holds various points of origin, its history proves that love is something to celebrate. How did this romantic holiday get its namesake, and how did it come to giving chocolates to your loved ones?
Keep reading to learn about the history of Valentine’s Day!
The History of Valentine’s Day: Its Namesake
According to History.com, Valentine’s Day received its namesake due to the acts of compassion by a Catholic priest and bishop named Valentine and Valentinus.
One of the possible origins of this romantic holiday begins in third-century Rome. The priest Valentine gained recognition as a Catholic saint for honoring the wishes of young couples looking to marry. Despite marriage being outlawed in this period, Valentine championed passionate love.
Though this Roman priest is often considered the origin of Valentine’s Day’s namesake, others credit a Roman bishop during the same period, Saint Valentine of Terni, as the true source of the name. Saint Valentine of Terni’s saint-making actions entailed saving Christians from imprisonment and torture, as many Christians were persecuted during this period.
In other words, these men’s actions were in the name of love, promoting tolerance, kindness, and empathy.
Origins of Celebration
With Valentine’s Day’s namesake covered, historians claim its celebration as a holiday holds roots in a Pagan holiday called Lupercalia. Based on the Roman legend of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, Lupercalia celebrates the upbringing of the two brothers by a she-wolf named Lupercal. The celebration of Lupercalia involved the ritual sacrifice of goats (representing sexuality) and one dog.
After the ritual sacrifices, the feast of Lupercalia begins. During this time, women’s names are put into a jar and drawn at random. Once a woman’s name is drawn, she is paired with a man to be with for the remainder of the festival. According to History.com, these couples would often stay together until the next Lupercalia, fall in love, and marry. Even during ancient times, meet-cutes existed! Though Valentine’s Day’s modern celebration is unlike Lupercalia, both iterations value taking a chance to build connections with others, possibly resulting in love.
Sending Valentines
The tradition of sending valentines to lovers persists today, with chocolate, candy, and roses being popular items for suitors to send their love. Roses, hearts, and the Roman god Cupid are common symbols many associate with this day of romance. These symbols encompass love and beauty, all perfect for Valentine’s Day. Brittanica cites this tradition of sending formal messages of love back to 1500s. In the mid 1800s, commercial valentines began to appear in the United States.
Spread the Love
The History of Valentine’s Day has various points of origin, with much of its roots in ancient Roman history. With its roots in acts of compassion and kindness, partnership, and formal expressions of love’s joys, it’s no wonder that a holiday like Valentine’s Day is meant to celebrate the power of love. Whether you’re giving or receiving valentines, appreciate the love that comes your way.
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