Valentine’s Day, an annual holiday celebrated on February 14th, can be traced back to ancient Rome. The historical narrative surrounding the origins of this romantic holiday is somewhat unclear, with various theories and legends being put forth. One prevailing theory suggests that Valentine’s Day originated from Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival celebrated in mid-February. Lupercalia was dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus, as well as Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. During this festival, young men would sacrifice goats and dogs, and then they would playfully whip women with the skins of these animals, believing that it would enhance their fertility.
Another hypothesis proposes that Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who lived in the third century. Legend has it that Emperor Claudius II, convinced that unmarried soldiers were more devoted and loyal to the military, issued a decree prohibiting young men from getting married. However, Saint Valentine defied this decree and secretly married young couples. When his actions were discovered, he was arrested and eventually put to death on February 14th. It is said that before his execution, he wrote a letter to the jailer’s daughter, signing it as “From your Valentine.” This act is believed to have inspired the tradition of exchanging love letters on Valentine’s Day.
Over time, Valentine’s Day underwent transformations and evolved into a day dedicated to celebrating love and affection. During the Middle Ages, it became popular in England and France to associate February 14th with the beginning of birds’ mating season, further cementing the day’s connection to matters of the heart. The exchange of handcrafted cards, known as valentines, became commonplace during the 18th century, and as the 19th century began, printed cards gradually replaced handwritten ones.
In today’s world, Valentine’s Day is celebrated globally as a day to express love and appreciation to romantic partners, friends, and family members. This is done through the exchange of gifts, cards, flowers, and acts of kindness.