The Lovely History of Valentine's Day

Is Valentine’s Day a holiday? While we won’t see offices shutting down the way they will for Presidents’ Day, you can make it a personal holiday if you’re in the mood to celebrate love. 

And what day is Valentine’s Day, you ask? Here comes the good news: it’s Friday, February 14th while Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 17th. How does a long weekend full of celebration sound? 

Before you light the candles and make your favorite treats, let’s get better acquainted with the day. Behind the roses, chocolates, and Hallmark cards lies a history as layered and intriguing as any love story. Let’s take a walk through the history of Valentine’s Day, from its ancient Roman origins to our contemporary celebrations of affection.

History of Valentine's Day

Our story begins in ancient Rome with a raucous pagan festival called Lupercalia, celebrated annually from February 13th to 15th. This fertility festival honored Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Lupercalia was far from the candlelit dinners we associate with Valentine’s Day.

During the festivities, priests known as Luperci would sacrifice goats and dogs (symbols of fertility and purification), smear the animals’ blood on their foreheads, and then clean it off with milk. The ritual was followed by young men running through the streets wielding strips of the sacrificed goats’ hides. Women, eager to boost their fertility, would line up to be playfully whipped by these hides.

While this may seem like the dark truth about Valentine's Day, the festival carried themes of love and fertility that – albeit subtly – connect it to the Valentine’s Day we now know.

The Saint(s) Behind the Day

Fast-forward to the 3rd century A.D., when the Roman Empire was a hotbed of political intrigue and persecution. Amid this turbulence lived at least two martyrs named Valentine, whose stories were later intertwined with the holiday.

One popular legend speaks of Saint Valentine of Rome, a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II’s ban on marriages for young men. The emperor believed unmarried soldiers made better warriors, but Valentine saw love as worth fighting for. Secretly, he performed marriages until his actions were discovered. He was imprisoned and eventually executed on February 14th, around 270 A.D.

Another tale involves a Valentine who helped Christians escape Roman persecution. While imprisoned, he supposedly fell in love with his jailer’s daughter and penned her a farewell note signed “From your Valentine” before his execution—a phrase that endures to this day.

Although these stories lack concrete historical backing, they contributed to Valentine’s Day becoming associated with love and devotion.

Christianity and the Transformation of Pagan Traditions

By the late 5th century, as Christianity spread across Europe, Pope Gelasius I sought to Christianize pagan festivals like Lupercalia. He declared February 14th as Saint Valentine’s Day, replacing the rowdy, sacrificial customs with a more pious celebration of love and martyrdom.

However, this newly established day didn’t yet resemble the romantic holiday we now know. For centuries, Valentine’s Day remained a modest feast day honoring Saint Valentine, with no explicit ties to courtship or affection.

The Middle Ages: Love Finds Its Voice

The romantic overtones of Valentine’s Day began to blossom during the Middle Ages, particularly in England and France. It was around this time that February 14th became linked to lovebirds – not metaphorically, but literally. Medieval Europeans believed February marked the start of the mating season, lending the day a romantic aura.

Poets and writers, always keen to capture the zeitgeist, began weaving Valentine’s Day into their works. One of the earliest mentions comes from Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English literature, in his 1382 poem Parlement of Foules. Chaucer wrote:

“For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day,
When every bird comes there to choose his mate.”

This literary association cemented Valentine’s Day as a celebration of romantic love, inspiring knights, nobles, and common folk alike to express their affections through poetry and handwritten notes.

The Renaissance and the Rise of Valentine’s Day Cards

The tradition of sending Valentine’s greetings gained traction in the 15th and 16th centuries. By the early 1400s, the Duke of Orléans, imprisoned in the Tower of London, penned love poems to his wife, some of which are considered among the earliest “Valentines.”

As literacy spread across Europe during the Renaissance, written expressions of love became increasingly popular. Handmade Valentine’s cards featuring elaborate designs and heartfelt verses became cherished tokens exchanged between lovers.

Industrialization and the Birth of Commercial Valentine’s Day

The 18th and 19th centuries brought significant changes to Valentine’s Day traditions. The industrial revolution played a pivotal role, making mass production possible. By the mid-19th century, commercial Valentine’s cards – complete with intricate lace, embossed paper, and romantic imagery – became widely available.

In 1849, Esther Howland, often called the “Mother of the American Valentine,” began producing elaborate cards in the United States. Her creations sparked a booming industry and helped establish Valentine’s Day as a commercial holiday.

Around this time, the day also became associated with small gifts, such as chocolates, Valentine's Day flowers, and jewelry – items that remain quintessential today.

The 20th Century: From Tradition to Pop Culture

The 20th century saw Valentine’s Day evolve into the global celebration we recognize. Advances in advertising, media, and globalization brought new traditions and heightened the holiday’s commercial appeal.

Cultural icons like Cupid – a Roman god turned cherubic matchmaker – became symbols of Valentine’s Day, appearing on cards, decorations, and marketing campaigns. By the mid-1900s, companies like Hallmark cemented their place as purveyors of Valentine’s Day sentiments.

Television, film, and pop music further romanticized the holiday, weaving tales of grand gestures and love conquering all. While some lament its commercialization, others embrace Valentine’s Day as a reminder to express love in a busy world.

Valentine’s Day Around the World

Although Valentine’s Day originated in Europe, its appeal has transcended borders. In Japan, for instance, women traditionally give chocolates to men on February 14th, while men reciprocate a month later on White Day. In South Korea, couples celebrate Black Day in April, when singles commiserate by eating black noodles.

Meanwhile, countries like Mexico, Brazil, and the Philippines celebrate with festivals, mass weddings, and unique local customs. In Finland and Estonia, February 14th focuses on friendship rather than romantic love, reflecting the holiday’s adaptability.

Modern-Day Valentine’s Day: A Celebration of Love in All Forms

Today, Valentine’s Day is a multifaceted celebration. While romantic love remains at its core, many people use the occasion to honor other types of affection – whether between friends, family members, or even pets. Galentine’s Day, popularized by pop culture, highlights female friendships, proving that love knows no bounds.

Social media has added yet another layer, with couples and singles sharing their Valentine’s experiences online. Whether it’s a grand romantic gesture, a cozy dinner, or simply an expression of self-love, Valentine’s Day, today, encompasses diverse ways of celebrating love.

An Enduring Fascination With Love

From its ancient Roman origins to its modern iterations, the history of Valentine’s Day has undergone a remarkable transformation. It’s a testament to humanity’s enduring fascination with love, a force that has inspired poets, revolutionaries, and everyday dreamers throughout millennia.

So, the next time you pen a heartfelt note or indulge in a box of chocolates, remember: you’re participating in a tradition rich with history, passion, and a little bit of mystery. As we close out the first month of the year and enter into the second one, keep coming back for more insights on how to romanticize the every day. And, on the 14th, we’ll raise a glass to you, however you plan on celebrating.