There are a fair number of people around the world who don’t turn into mushy, gushy, love-soaked fools in February. But then there are those who do; the very same people who are the reason Valentine’s Day has become the commercial success that it is.
But, there really is more to this day than heart-shaped chocolates, red carnations and sentimentality. This is a day steeped in history and mystery. It or not. It’s no secret that February is celebrated as the month of romance and the 14th in particular displays vestiges of ancient Roman and Catholic tradition, but who was Saint Valentine, the day’s patron saint? And how did he become associated with this soppy rite?
The most prevailing myth suggests Valentine was a Roman priest during the third century, serving under Claudius II. The evil emperor decided that single men were superior soldiers, so he outlawed marriage for the young, fit men in Rome. Valentine decided this was grossly unjust (and probably really bad for population growth), so he decided to defy Claudius’ law and secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young lovers.
So sweet. Except for the part where he was executed for his actions (sometime around the middle of February) when he was caught out.
The less romantic version of where the day came from is thanks to the Christian Church wanting to “Christianise” the pagan fertility festival of Lupercalia, celebrated on the 15th of February.
Either way, at the end of the fifth century, Pope Gelasius declared the 14th of February Saint Valentine’s Day. This day first became associated with romantic love in the High Middle Ages, thanks to Geoffrey Chaucer and his posse, when the tradition of courtly love thrived.
Nice to know where it all started, right?
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