By Maria Papagiannopoulou,
Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14th, is a day dedicated to expressing love and affection towards those special in our lives. While it has evolved into a day of exchanging flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt cards, the history of Valentine’s Day is rich and intriguing, spanning centuries and cultures.
The origins of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to ancient Rome, where the festival of Lupercalia was celebrated in mid-February. This fertility festival honored Lupercus, the Roman god of agriculture, and sought to purify the city and promote health and fertility. As part of the festivities, young men would draw names of women from a jar, and they would be paired for the duration of the festival, often leading to marriages.
The association between Valentine’s Day and romantic love became more prominent during the medieval period. One popular legend involves a Christian martyr named St. Valentine. The most widely accepted story suggests that St. Valentine was a priest in Rome during the third century under the rule of Emperor Claudius II. The emperor had banned marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Defying this decree, St. Valentine continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
Imprisoned for his defiance, St. Valentine allegedly fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and sent her letters signed “From your Valentine” before his execution on February 14th. This poignant gesture is said to have sparked the tradition of sending love notes on Valentine’s Day.
Geoffrey Chaucer, the renowned English poet of the Middle Ages, is credited with connecting Valentine’s Day to romantic love through his literary works. In his poem “Parlement of Foules,” written in the 14th century, Chaucer links the feast day of St. Valentine with the notion of lovebirds choosing their mates. This poetic association likely contributed to the cultural shift towards viewing Valentine’s Day as a day for expressing romantic affection.
During the 18th century in England, the exchange of handwritten notes expressing love and affection on Valentine’s Day became increasingly popular. The Industrial Revolution facilitated the mass production of greeting cards, making them more accessible to the general public. Esther A. Howland, an American artist, is often credited with commercializing Valentine’s Day cards in the United States during the 1840s. Her elaborate and decorative cards paved the way for the massive greeting card industry we know today.
Valentine’s Day continued to gain popularity and evolve into a global celebration of love. The exchange of flowers, especially red roses, became a symbol of love and passion. Chocolates, gifts, and romantic dinners also became integral parts of the modern celebration.
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. It has become an occasion not only for romantic love but also for expressing appreciation and affection to friends and family.
Valentine’s Day, with its roots in ancient Roman festivals and its transformation through medieval legends and literary works, has become a day dedicated to celebrating love in all its forms. From handwritten notes and poems to the modern exchange of gifts and cards, the evolution of Valentine’s Day reflects the enduring human desire to express and celebrate the most powerful and universal emotion: love. As we mark another February 14th, let us not only cherish the history of this day but also continue to embrace the opportunity to express love and gratitude to those who hold a special place in our hearts.
Reference
- Valentine’s Day. (2023). Wikipedia. Available here
