St Valentine's Day
February 14th |
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History
The origins of St Valentine's Day are shrouded in legend and mystery, but while the details of accounts vary, the basic stories remain very similar…
Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, Rome was involved in many savage and unpopular military campaigns. Known as Claudius the Cruel, the Emperor was having difficulty getting soldiers to join his legions. The reason, he believed, was that Roman men didn't want to leave their loved ones. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome at that time.
But Valentine, a young Christian priest in Rome, chose to secretly marry couples. For this defiant deed of kindness Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. It is widely reported that before his death, he fell in love with his jailer's daughter who would visit him and he signed his farewell note to her 'from your Valentine'. He suffered martyrdom around the year 270 and became known as Saint Valentine.
Ancient customs were also practiced in Rome during February. February 14th honoured the Roman goddess Juno, Queen of all the Roman gods and goddesses and who was also the goddess of women and marriage. The following day celebrated the feast of Lupercalia, in honour of the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan fertility and prosperity ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a jar, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. These couples would be partnered for the duration of the festivities and very often for the year ahead, with some later marrying.
And so it appears the Valentine's Day we celebrate today has been influenced by many stories and traditions. But whatever the true origins of this festival, the celebration of love and romance on St Valentine's Day is likely to remain for many years to come.
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Valentine Trivia
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St Valentine's Day is celebrated in the UK, Australia, France, US, Canada and Mexico |
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Each year over 900 million Valentine's cards are exchanged making it the second biggest card-giving occasion next to Christmas |
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The first known Valentine was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans in 1415, reportedly to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London |
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E-cards have become more and more popular in recent years...why not send yours over the internet? Log on to Hallmark, E-cards or E-greetings. |
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