History of Valentines Day

The history of Valentine’s Day began back in the time of the Roman Empire. February 14th was known as the holiday of Juno, Queen of Roman Gods and Goddesses. In addition to that, she was also known as the Goddess of woman and marriage. February 15th was the start of the pagan Feast of Lupercalia. On the eve of the Feast of Lupercalia, the names of young girls were written on slips of paper. The slips were then placed in a jar and each young man would draw out a name. Those two young people where then partner’s for the remainder of the festival. Because the partnership could last up to a year, many of these resulted in the young people falling in love and maybe even marrying. So it was with this celebration that the history of Valentine’s Day began.

But, Emperor Claudius II, ruler of the Roman Empire, felt that these marriages were distracting to his soldiers. He decided to cancel all weddings and engagements. But, Saint Valentine, a priest in Rome, and Saint Marius secretly married couples. Once it was found out he was doing this, he was punished by Roman government, being beaten to death with clubs. He was killed on February 14th and the church saw his killing as a way to take the focus off pagan ceremonies of the Feast of Lupercalia. So the new celebration became known as St. Valentine’s Day and thus the beginning of the history of Valentine’s Day.

The tradition of giving Valentine card is believed to have come from the names on slips of paper. Cupid came to be associated with Valentine’s Day because in Roman mythology, he is the son of Venus. Venus is the goddess of love. Cupid is often pictured as an angel who shots arrows and whoever is hit by them falls in love. Candy and flowers are also associated with Valentine’s Day. People, especially men, often give their loved ones these gifts on Valentine’s Day. Next February 14th, when you are getting ready to celebrate, take a moment to remember the history of Valentine’s Day.