The Enchanting and Evolving History of Valentine’s Day
Origins in Roman Revelry
The origins of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to honor the Roman god Faunus, the protector of herds and crops, and to commemorate the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus.
During Lupercalia, young men known as "Luperci" dressed in goatskins and ran through the streets, playfully whipping women with thongs made from goatskin. This ritual was believed to promote fertility and the upcoming birth season.
Christian Transformation: St. Valentine
In the 5th century AD, Pope Gelasius I forbade the pagan festival of Lupercalia. To "Christianize" the event, he established a new feast day on February 14th to honor Saint Valentine, an early Christian martyr said to have performed secret marriages for persecuted Christian couples.
Legend holds that St. Valentine was beheaded by the Roman emperor Claudius II for defying his order to forbid marriages between young couples. As he awaited execution, it is said that he fell in love with his jailor’s daughter and wrote her a love letter signed "Your Valentine."
Medieval Romance and Chaucer’s Legacy
The association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love gained momentum during the Middle Ages. Geoffrey Chaucer, the great English poet, is widely credited with popularizing the idea of Valentine’s Day as a day to celebrate romantic affection through his poem "Parlement of Foules" (1375).
In this poem, Chaucer wrote about birds gathering on Valentine’s Day to choose their mates. He also described a "court of love" presided over by the goddess Venus, where knights and ladies exchanged love tokens and vows.
15th Century: Romantic Gestures
By the 15th century, Valentine’s Day had become a recognized day for lovers to express their affections. People began exchanging love letters, gifts, and small tokens of appreciation. The first known Valentine’s Day poem was written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
18th and 19th Centuries: Commercialization
The commercialization of Valentine’s Day began in the 18th century. In 1797, the first printed Valentine’s cards were produced in England. By the mid-19th century, Valentine’s Day had become a major industry, with greeting cards, chocolates, and flowers being sold in abundance.
Esther A. Howland, known as the "Mother of the Valentine," played a significant role in this commercialization. In the 1840s, she opened a shop in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she sold elaborate lace and ribbon-trimmed Valentine’s cards. By the turn of the 20th century, printed Valentine’s cards had largely replaced handwritten letters.
20th and 21st Centuries: Hallmark and Global Celebration
The Hallmark Card Company, founded in 1910, further popularized Valentine’s Day in the 20th century with its mass-produced greeting cards. Today, Hallmark estimates that over 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent annually, making it the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.
Valentine’s Day has now become a global celebration. It is widely observed in countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia, and has even spread to parts of Asia and South America.
Modern Interpretations: Personal Expressions of Love
While the commercial aspects of Valentine’s Day continue to thrive, the true spirit of the holiday remains the expression of love and affection. Valentine’s Day provides an opportunity for individuals to celebrate their significant others, friends, and family, showing them how much they care through thoughtful gestures, kind words, and heartfelt gifts.
