Valentine’s Day is famously celebrated in numerous countries, best known for its romantic customs and associations. On February 14 of each year, romantic gestures, flowers and gifts are passed between loved ones in tribute to the Roman St. Valentine. Under the orders of Roman Emperor Claudius III, young men were banned from marriage because the emperor believed that it distracted soldiers from war and training. Valentine, being a priest at the time, secretly opposed these orders and granted marriages behind the Emperor’s back. He was eventually imprisoned and jailed and was recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church following his death on February 14, 270 AD.
Although the story of the famous St. Valentine is recognized, other stories have gained attention in connection to the Valentine’s traditions that potentially stem from the Pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Ancient Romans held the celebration of Lupercalia to promote health and fertility between February 13-15 and to ultimately purify the city. Lupercalia’s romantic association comes from the gathering of women who placed their names in an urn to be selected at random by young bachelors to pair and marry off. A goat was additionally sacrificed and skinned for Roman women to embrace the touch of the skins as they believed it would bring them fertility in the upcoming year. The Catholic Church disapproved of the tradition, however, and may have placed a St. Valentine’s feast in the middle of Lupercalia as an attempt to Christianize the celebration. Lupercalia was eventually deemed “un-Christian” and outlawed at the end of the fifth century, leading Pope Gelasius to replace it with St. Valentine’s Day on February 14.
Another theory suggests that the French Duke of Orleans sparked Valentine’s gestures. While being held hostage in prison after his capture by the English in the 1415 Battle of Agincourt, the Duke wrote his wife a poem from prison, addressing her as “[his] very gentle Valentine”, sparking the beginning of romantic tradition in the Middle Ages. France and England additionally believed that February 14 was to be associated with love since it marked the beginning of birds’ mating season. Although there are many connections between February 14th and romance, the origins of Valentine’s Day are not concrete.
Valentine’s Day is now celebrated across the United States, Mexico, Canada, France, Australia and the United Kingdom as a commemoration to love in all forms. Lovers, friends and family now customarily exchange flowers, candies and cards as a symbol of love and appreciation for their loved ones across the globe.
Photo / The St. Mary’s Inn
