The Surprising Origins of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a beloved holiday celebrated for centuries.
Every year on February 14th, people worldwide express their love and affection for one another through cards, gifts, and gestures of appreciation.
But have you ever wondered about the origins of this romantic tradition?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at the surprising history behind Valentine’s Day.
The traditions associated with Valentine’s Day can be traced back to ancient Roman rituals.
One popular belief is that Emperor Claudius II banned marriages to strengthen his army.
A priest named Valentine defied this decree by secretly marrying couples in secret ceremonies.
When caught, he was sentenced to death on February 14th.
While awaiting his execution, Valentine reportedly fell in love with his jailer’s daughter and wrote her letters signed “From your Valentine,” a phrase still used today.
Eventually caught and sentenced to death on February 14th, St Valentine became known as a martyr for love.
But even before Saint Valentine’s act of defiance against Emperor Claudius II, there were already celebrations of fertility and love during mid-February in Rome known as Lupercalia.
Lupercalia was eventually replaced by the Christianization of pagan holidays recognised by Pope Gelasius.
Pope Gelasius decided to end the Feast of Lupercalia and declared that February 14 be celebrated as Saint Valentine’s Day.
Gradually, February 14th became a date for exchanging love messages, poems, and simple gifts such as flowers.
Over time, Valentine’s Day has evolved into a commercialised holiday where people exchange chocolates, teddy bears, and flowers with their loved ones.
Do you know what these tokens symbolise?
Chocolate represents indulgence and Love.
Bears signify cuddles.
Pink or red roses symbolise beauty, but most importantly, each item holds value only because it comes from someone special.
This shows how individuals make great efforts during celebrations, just like Love birds have endeared themselves towards each other since olden times, showing care equally with precious gems, paper craft hearts, and cards with hand-crafted gifts.
Valentine’s Day has expanded beyond romantic love and is celebrated among friends, family, and colleagues.
It’s also a day to remember those who have shown us unconditional love and support.
In some countries like Finland, it is called ‘Friendship Day’ or ‘Day of the Friends’.
This further highlights how the significance of Valentine’s Day continues to evolve with time but still radiates its fundamental message, ‘Love’.
Eventually, this practice morphed into sending handwritten love notes to express admiration for someone we care about.
The tradition of giving valentines has evolved – from handmade cards with personal messages to elaborately designed, store-bought ones.
But the underlying sentiment remains the same: showing someone we love them through thoughtful gestures.
Today, we celebrate Valentine’s Day by showing our loved ones how much they mean to us through gestures such as exchanging gifts or cards adorned with symbols like hearts and Cupid arrows, representing love and desire symbols from Greek mythology.
According to Aristotle, Cupid (also known as Eros) was considered an embodiment of desire), while hearts have long been associated with emotions such as happiness and love.
However, the commercialised version seen today did not emerge until the third century in Victorian England, where exchanging cards expressing one’s affection with friends and family became customary.
These cards were often handmade and adorned with lace, ribbons, and flowers – again referencing Valentine’s Day’s roots of being a day for courtship.
In modern times, Valentine’s Day has become widely celebrated across the globe as a day to express our love not just for romantic partners but also for our friends, family members, and even pets.
It is a day that reminds us of how powerful love can be and how we should cherish those who hold a special place in our hearts.
As you celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, please take a moment to appreciate its rich history and how it reflects our human desire for connection and affection towards one another.
In conclusion, Valentine’s Day is more than just a commercialised holiday centred around grand romantic gestures; it holds deep roots in ancient traditions passed down throughout centuries.
It represents romantic love, selfless acts of kindness, and gratitude towards those we hold dear.
So, this February 14th, let’s take a moment to appreciate Valentine’s Day’s rich history and all it represents – love in its purest form.