Every February 14, couples exchange flowers, chocolates, and handwritten notes in celebration of Valentineโs Day.
But the day had roots in martyrdom, medieval poetry, and possibly even ancient Roman fertility rites long before it became a billion-dollar industry built around red roses and heart-shaped boxes.
A feast for a martyr
Valentineโs Day began as a Christian feast honoring Saint Valentine, a figure believed to have been executed in Rome during the third century.
There were several early Christian martyrs named Valentine, according to historical accounts cited by Encyclopaedia Britannica.
One of the most enduring legends tells of a priest who defied an imperial ban on marriages imposed by Emperor Claudius II. The priest allegedly continued performing secret wedding ceremonies for young couples and was eventually put to death around A.D. 269 or 270.
Historians debate which Valentine the feast originally honored. But February 14 became associated with the martyr in the Christian liturgical calendar.
Pagan festival or coincidence?
Some scholars point to possible links between Valentineโs Day and Lupercalia, a Roman festival held in mid-February. Lupercalia was a fertility rite dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and to the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
However, as noted by History.com, direct evidence connecting Lupercalia to Valentineโs Day is limited. The overlap in timing has fueled speculation.
Many historians argue that the romantic character of the modern holiday developed much later.
Love in the Middle Ages
The association between Valentineโs Day and romantic love emerged during the Middle Ages.
English poet Geoffrey Chaucer is often credited with one of the earliest literary references linking St. Valentineโs Day to courtship. In a 14th-century poem, Chaucer wrote about birds choosing their mates on โseynt Valentynes day,โ helping cement the idea of February 14 as a day for pairing off.
By the 17th century in England, it became customary for lovers and friends to exchange small tokens of affection. And in the 19th century, mass-produced printed cards made Valentineโs greetings widely accessible.
A global celebration
Today, Valentineโs Day is observed in many parts of the world, though customs vary.
In the Philippines, it is common for local governments to organize mass weddings on February 14. Japanese and South Koreans celebrated the day by gift-giving traditions following distinct gendered patterns, with reciprocal celebrations in the weeks that follow.
What began as a solemn Christian feast has evolved into a cultural celebration of romance, friendship, and affection โ shaped by centuries of storytelling, tradition, and commerce.
From martyrdom in ancient Rome to handwritten love notes in the digital age, Valentineโs Day reflects how history and myth can intertwine, transforming a saintโs feast into a global ritual of love.
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