Valentine’s Day, oh Valentine’s Day… Lovers’ Day. That’s when we try to show our other half how important they are to us. Where did the tradition itself come from? And when is Valentine’s Day celebrated? If you want to know, be sure to read this article, where you’ll not only find out when Valentine’s Day is celebrated, but also learn about the details of this holiday.
Origins of Lovers’ Day
The origins of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to ancient times, specifically Ancient Rome. However, back then, it wasn’t celebrated in honor of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love, but Faunus, the god of fertility, and the city’s founders, Romulus and Remus. The need for this holiday developed as a way to unite the population of the new city—Rome (whose patrons were Romulus and Remus) and the countryside, whose patron was Faunus.
Even though the holiday was celebrated, like modern Valentine’s Day, in mid-February, it was then known as Lupercalia. The ceremonies included purification rituals, often involving various, sometimes bloody sacrifices, to better prepare for the arrival of spring. Women believed that participating in these rites would ensure fertility and easy childbirth. During Lupercalia, men drew the names of young women. The pairs formed during this ritual spent time together until the end of the festival, which often later turned into lasting relationships.
The influence of Christianity and the emergence of Valentine’s Day
The existence of the festival of love over the years was influenced by various cultures, including Christianity. Although it might seem that followers of Christ would try to completely eradicate the pagan nature of this holiday, it was thanks to them that it has survived to this day. How? The significant influence was undoubtedly the work of Bishop Valentine, who lived in the 3rd century AD. He opposed the decree of the then emperor- Claudius II, who banned young men from marrying.
The ruler was convinced that single men made better soldiers. Valentine secretly performed weddings for couples in love, for which he was imprisoned and executed. Before his execution, however, he managed to write a letter to the jailer’s daughter, signing it as “your Valentine”, which gave rise to the Valentine’s Day we know today. The belief in the bishop’s heroic fame led, in the 5th century, to his canonization as the patron saint of lovers. The day of his inclusion among the saints, February 14th, not only took on a religious character but also replaced the pagan festival of Lupercalia. Although some pagan love traditions survived, from that time on, the day has been known as Valentine’s Day.
Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day
In the Middle Ages, not only was the lovers’ holiday established, but many love traditions were also actively introduced or popularized. February 14th, the day when Valentine’s Day falls, was also linked to the period when birds pair up. Additionally, the belief in these mysterious forces of attraction between animals and people was reinforced in the 14th century through numerous love poems, especially "The Parliament of Fowls" by Geoffrey Chaucer. In it, he described Valentine’s Day as the day when lovers come together. The popularity of love poems at court and the invention of printing led, in the 15th century, to the beginning of the tradition of sending love letters.
Simultaneously, with technological progress, colonial conquests, and the invention of mass mail, love letters and poems reached the ends of the earth. This way, by the 20th century, Americans commercialized the holiday by adding the custom of giving small gifts to loved ones alongside love letters. Thus, in addition to Valentine’s cards, the canon of love gifts also included chocolates, jewelry, and flowers, especially roses.
Summary: when Valentine’s Day was established and how we celebrate it
Lovers’ Day has undergone various transformations over the years, which only increased its popularity. However, the focus has always been on love and closeness. Now you not only know when Valentine’s Day is, but also how the holiday of the patrons of lovers has changed over the years. This will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the feelings for your loved one, showing her how important your relationship is to you. February 14th is the day when expressing feelings should be easier than usual. Don’t be afraid to say, on the day when Valentine’s Day is celebrated, I love you to the person who is especially close to you.
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