Valentines day, has it always been romantic?

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24 Jan 2024

The Origins and Evolution of Valentine's Day

How did the romantic celebration we know and love today, actually begin?

Valentine's Day, a day dedicated to celebrating love and romance, has a history that is far from the sweet and innocent image it holds today.

Rome

While the exact origin of this holiday remains unknown, its roots can be traced back to ancient Rome. In ancient Rome, from February 13th to 15th, the Romans celebrated a festival known as Lupercalia.

Drunk and naked

This festival was far from the romantic and affectionate celebration we know today. During Lupercalia, men would sacrifice a goat and a dog, and then use the hides of these animals to whip women.

The women believed that being whipped by these hides would make them more fertile. It was a brutal and violent celebration, with drunkenness and nudity being common.

Lottery

The festival also included a matchmaking lottery, where young men would draw the names of women from a jar. The couple that was matched would be together for the duration of the festival, and sometimes even longer if the match was successful.

Where did the name Valentines originated from?

The name "Valentine's Day" may have originated from the execution of two men named Valentine on February 14th in different years during the third century. The Catholic Church later honoured their martyrdom by celebrating St. Valentine's Day.

How did it begin to change?

As time went on, Valentine's Day evolved and changed. In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I combined St. Valentine's Day with Lupercalia in an attempt to eliminate the pagan rituals. The festival became more of a theatrical interpretation of its original form, with Christians adding modesty and clothing to the celebrations. However, it still remained a day associated with fertility and love. During the same period, the Normans celebrated Galatin's Day, which meant "lover of women." This celebration likely became confused with St. Valentine's Day due to their similar sounding names.

How did the festival spread around the world?

Valentine's Day gained popularity throughout Britain and Europe, thanks to the romanticised portrayals by writers like Chaucer and Shakespeare. Handmade paper cards became popular tokens of affection during the Middle Ages. The holiday eventually made its way to the New World, and with the Industrial Revolution came the mass production of Valentine's Day cards in the 19th century.

When did it become a commercial celebration?

Hallmark Cards, founded in 1913, played a significant role in commercialising the holiday and turning it into the big business it is today. However, the commercialisation of Valentine's Day has also led to its criticism. Many people feel that the true meaning of the holiday has been lost amidst the pressure to buy expensive gifts. Sociologist Helen Fisher suggests that if people didn't want to buy Hallmark cards, they wouldn't be bought, and the company would go out of business. Despite the commercialization, Valentine's Day continues to be celebrated in various ways. Some individuals go all out, spending extravagantly on jewelry and flowers for their loved ones. Others embrace their singlehood and celebrate Singles Awareness Day, indulging in self-gifted chocolates and dining alone. Ultimately, Valentine's Day has become a day where individuals navigate their own unique ways of expressing love and finding happiness in a society that often emphasises the importance of being in a relationship.