Every Feb. 14, the world exchanges cards, candy, and flowers to show appreciation. But Valentine’s Day didn’t start with sweet notes and heart-shaped gifts. Its origins are much darker, filled with rituals, secrets, and a martyr known as Valentine.
Taking place on Feb. 15, Lupercalia was an ancient roman festival celebrating health and fertility. It began in a cave where a goat and a dog would be sacrificed. Luperci, Roman priests, would then cut strips from the sacrificed goat and whip women, a tradition thought to increase fertility. As the night would come to end men would randomly choose a woman’s name from a jar to pair with, and many of these pairings led to marriage.
In the 5th century Pope Gelasius banned the celebration deeming it as unchristian. In order to redirect attention Gelasius established Valentine’s day on Feb. 14.
The name Valentine comes from a Christian martyr. The most famous of the tales begin when Emperor Claudius banned marriage for soldiers, believing it limited their potential. St. Valentine then began marrying couples in secret where he was eventually caught and sentenced to execution. While in jail Valentine fell in love with the jailor’s daughter, Julia, and sent a last letter signing “From your Valentine.”
There are other versions of the story as well. Some say he was imprisoned for not following the Roman gods. Another version claims Valentine was punished for helping Christians escape punishment.
Over time, this celebration has gained popularity as it became known as the holiday of love. Geoffrey Chauncer helped this grow when he wrote “Parliament of Foules”, known as the first valentines poem in history. Through commercialization Valentine’s Day has shaped to become what it is now.
