Recently updated on October 6th, 2022 at 04:29 pm
While Valentine’s Day conjures up images of chocolate hearts, red roses and indulgent dinners out, this happy holiday conceals a dark and mysterious past. From a bloody pagan fertility festival to the heart-swelling 14 February many cherish today – we uncover the true history behind Valentine’s day.
The history behind Valentine’s Day starts with the Lupercalia pagan festival…
The history behind Valentine’s Day dates back to pagan festival of Lupercalia, first held in the 3rd century BC (13-15 February). Now’s the time to look away if you’re squeamish. People gathered in caves here. Where men stripped naked and sacrificed goats and dogs to the fertility gods. Next, they picked up strips of hides from these sacrificed animals and whipped young women with them. Far from being disgusted, these women would line up – ready for the hit – believing it will grant them fertility and ward off evil spirits.
Today many of us meet lovers through friends and dating apps. But Lupercalia’s pagan tradition was a little different. All young women placed a their names in a huge urn or jar. The city’s bachelors then picked out a name and would be joined with that woman for the year. Believe it or not, evidence suggests these matches often ended in marriage! Ancient romance, eh?
5th century: Pope Gelasius I creates a day for St Valentines
The pagan festival was immensely popular. So popular it still existed for a time even after Christianity became an official religion in the Roman Empire. But in the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I banned Lupercalia to prevent people slipping back into pagan ways. Instead, he created a day honouring Saint Valentine.
Debates around the history behind Valentine’s Day swirl around which Valentine is honoured. This is because the Catholic Church records three different Valentine’s Saints all martyred in the 3rd century. Yet the majority believe it was the true Saint Valentine was a man whom secretly married young couples. In direct opposition to Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus’ II ban on young marriage. He was consequently executed on 269 A.D. as a martyr. And after doing his bit for love.
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Medieval poetry and bird mating – why 14 February?
During the Middle Ages, influential writers William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer made references to Saint Valentine’s day as a day for lovers. In fact, Chaucer’s poem ‘The Parlement of Foules’ (written 1380-90) mentions the goddess Nature paired off all the birds on “Seint Valentynes” day. A day for lovebirds (and now humans too), 14 February became strongly associated with romance.
1415: the history behind the Valentine’s day card
Across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Mexico, France and Australia – the love-struck beseech others with cards of affection. Often signing off with ‘Your Valentine’. While couples exchange cards and other gifts. However, the first Valentine’s Day card is a tragic tale. While imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415, Charles Duke of Orléans sent a love poem to his wife – referring to her ‘Valentine’. A sad history behind Valentine’s day cards for what has become an iconic tradition.
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Gift giving 1800’s and 1900’s traditions
In the 1800’s, Valentine’s cards were mass produced commercially and the holiday continued to emerge from its dark past into a beloved feast day. This continued in the 1900s when Valentine’s products were sold to the middle classes in particular. During this century, Valentine’s Day became firmly embedded in the yearly calendar. Today everyone does a little something on 14 February. From a tasty take-out for one to a romantic trip to Venice or Paris. Has the history behind Valentine’s Day made you rethink how you’re celebrating this year?
What surprised you most about the history behind Valentine’s Day? Tell us in the comments below!
