February is all about love as we have Valentines Day on the 14th, so I did a little bit digging of my own while I was on a travel mode, and guess what I got some good infos.
The Saintly Suspects:
There are actually several Saint Valentines linked to February 14th. One popular story tells of a priest named Valentine who secretly married couples against the emperor’s wishes, earning him martyrdom. Another Valentine might have sent a love letter to a jailer’s daughter before his execution. While the exact Valentine remains a mystery, his spirit of love lives on.
From Rituals to Romance:
Long before Hallmark cards, ancient Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a fertility festival in mid-February. It involved matchmaking rituals and wild celebrations. While not exactly romantic, it might explain the February connection.
Love Takes Flight:
The Church, aiming to “Christianize” pagan practices, might have placed St. Valentine’s feast day around Lupercalia. By the Middle Ages, love poems and traditions like choosing a sweetheart on this day emerged. Geoffrey Chaucer, the famous poet, even wrote about it!
The Evolution of Affection:
By the 1700s in England, and love is fluttering in the air. Not just because spring is tiptoeing closer (it’s still a while away, don’t worry!), but because Valentine’s Day is becoming a thing! People are secretly passing cute notes and shyly giving little gifts to their crushes, making hearts skip beats and faces blush like strawberries. Pretty adorable, right?
Then enter the Victorians, the kings and queens of all things fancy and grand. They took Valentine’s Day and turned it up to eleven! Imagine mass-produced cards overflowing with mushy poems and decorations so elaborate they’d make your grandma’s doilies faint (think lots of lace, hearts, and maybe even some cherubs, because why not?).
Fast forward to today, and Valentine’s Day is like a giant, heartwarming party happening all over the world! Imagine strolling through bustling streets in Japan, witnessing ladies showering guys with mountains of sweet chocolates! Or picture the vibrant energy of South Korea, where friends and couples celebrate love on separate days, showcasing its diverse forms. Pretty cool, right?
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about one kind of love, even though those fancy dinners and red roses can be fun. It’s about celebrating the love that warms our hearts in different ways – the laughter shared with friends, the cozy movie nights with family, or even the self-love you pour into a warm bath and a good book.
Remember that shy kid in school who helped you with your homework you might have helped them? Or the friend who always picks you up when you’re down? They deserve to know how much they mean to you, too! Valentine’s Day is a chance to tell them, to show them your appreciation, and to remind them that they hold a special place in your life.
Don’t miss out on the good people in your life on this day, this day isn’t only about lovers but friends too.
Happy loving!
This post was created for the Blogaberry Creative (Monthly) Challenge.
Great info…let us all open our hearts and spread love.
I was unaware about all the details shared by you. Nice read.
Nice to know all of this. Many have various stories about the origin though.
Thanks for sharing the origin of Valentine’s Day! It’s fascinating to learn about its historical roots and how it has evolved over time. A great read for understanding this beloved holiday.
Yes, It’s a day to celebrate the love we have for our friends, family members, and even ourselves.
I only knew about saint Valentine’s story but it’s interesting to know about others too. Thanks for sharing this with us. I loved the idea of pouring self-love because this kind of love people often forget.
Moni, I loved your new blog post on “The Origin of Valentine’s Day.” Your insightful exploration into the history and significance of this beloved holiday was truly enlightening. Your dedication to researching and sharing such valuable information is commendable, and I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to read your thoughtful analysis. Your writing not only educates but also inspires reflection and appreciation for the traditions we hold dear. Thank you for your passion and for enriching our understanding of this special day.
I only knew about St.valentine the other history seems very new to me. But as you said it is important to let people know how much they mean to us.Thanks for sharing this information with us.
I like the day, at least it’s a day of joy and celebrations. We all need that St Valentine in our lives, someone who will keep us in state of eternal bliss, get us a good companion. February is also spring, so a beautiful month and colourful too.
Quite an interesting and informative article. I knew only about St. Valentine… but nevertheless, it’s a day of love
Love Makes you emotional, it makes you feel special, celebrated and close to someone you are attached with. No its not just love between a man and a woman, but in multiple relations we have in our life. Its a mother -child love, Husband wife love, between friends, between teacher and student and countless more are there. Love helps your celebrate the relations we have in our lives and fond of. Valentine’s day history is inspirational in every way.
This was a very interesting post, Moni. I just knew about St Valentine and Vday’s connection but not much about Lupercalia. It is wonderful how this celebration of love has stood the test of time over centuries.
Earlier, I mean before I got married, ie ages before, I had done quite a bit of research on Vday. But I must admit, it was peanuts as to what you have put out here! Hats off to you for such a thorough article on this love fest!
Your article delves into the origin of Valentine’s Day, tracing its history and traditions. You offer intriguing insights into the evolution of this celebrated occasion and many details i had no idea!
Lots of Nice to Know info! Yes, it had turned into a marketing gimmick but then, why not? But then, good to remember all those who you love and in the process yourself too:)
Wow, I had zero knowledge about the origins of Valentine’s Day and how it has evolved over time. It’s heartwarming to know that it’s not just about romantic love but also about celebrating all forms of love, including friendships and self-love. Thanks for sharing this wonderful reminder!
It is nice to know the various love practices, secret and overt. I have read that many religious (Christian) practices of love and marriage have borrowed from pagan traditions, and the market has made them global or liberated love.
Moni, this is well researched post. I don’t know about all this. I only know saint Valentine. Glad to get the new information from your post. We should spread the love not only for this month but forever. Self love is the most important thing in today’s world. To keep up your mental health as well as physical health.
Such an informative post on how and why this came about. I only knew about it being something around Saint Valentine. Thanks for shedding light on the full story
Your blog is a true gift for those seeking personal growth. Thank you for sharing so much!
Absolutely. Valentine’s Day is about celebrating all kinds of love, not just the romantic. Things are coming a full circle now with people celebrating love and affection for all those who are important to us.
I knew about Saint Valentine but I didn’t know about Lupercalia. Learned something new today. Thank you for sharing about it.
I have read some excellent stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make the sort of excellent informative website.