Valentine's Day history

[futurepromise]

Valentine's Day has a surprisingly dark history

Every year on Valentine’s Day, romantics present that special someone in their lives with roses, chocolates, greeting cards, and many other gifts, but did you know the heart-felt holiday has a bloody history?

 

The first connection between love and the middle of February can be traced all the way back to the Roman Empire.  During the festival Lupercalia, ancient Romans would sacrifice an animal then use its skin to ritualistically whip women to honor the God of Fertility. (If that doesn’t sound too romantic, try explaining that to the fans of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy.

 

During Medieval Times, Roman Catholics tried to “christianize” a number of pagan holidays, and sometime in the fifth century Pope Gelasius declared February 14th Saint Valentine’s Day. However, what’s still a mystery today is which Saint Valentine the Pope was celebrating. Turns out, there were a few of them.

 

According to the most prominent theory, during the third century Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade any of his soldiers from marrying.  Apparently he felt unwed men made for better soldiers because they were less likely to be homesick. So soldiers looking to get married would illegally meet with Father Valentine, who would officiate the secret ceremony.

 

Father Valentine’s clear violation of the Emperor’s ruling eventually landed him in jail and he was sentenced to death.

 

Over the centuries the story picked up a few embellishments. One of which recounts how lovers married by Valentine would visit his cell and give him cards and flowers. Another tells how Valentine fell in love with his jailor’s daughter.  Then, the night before he was to be killed, he wrote a letter to her signed “Your Valentine.”

 

He was executed February 14th, becoming a martyr in the eyes of Catholic Church.

 

Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day has lost most of its historical and religious context (save for Cupid, the Roman God of Desire) and it has since become one of the most lucrative consumer holidays.

 

Each year, Americans shower their loved ones with over 180 million roses, 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and over a billion greeting cards (second only to Christmas.) Overall, Americans spend something like $20 billion on Valentine’s Day.

 

 

[Dustparticle]

Valentine's Day has a surprisingly dark history

Every year on Valentine’s Day, romantics present that special someone in their lives with roses, chocolates, greeting cards, and many other gifts, but did you know the heart-felt holiday has a bloody history?

 

The first connection between love and the middle of February can be traced all the way back to the Roman Empire.  During the festival Lupercalia, ancient Romans would sacrifice an animal then use its skin to ritualistically whip women to honor the God of Fertility. (If that doesn’t sound too romantic, try explaining that to the fans of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy.

 

During Medieval Times, Roman Catholics tried to “christianize” a number of pagan holidays, and sometime in the fifth century Pope Gelasius declared February 14th Saint Valentine’s Day. However, what’s still a mystery today is which Saint Valentine the Pope was celebrating. Turns out, there were a few of them.

 

According to the most prominent theory, during the third century Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade any of his soldiers from marrying.  Apparently he felt unwed men made for better soldiers because they were less likely to be homesick. So soldiers looking to get married would illegally meet with Father Valentine, who would officiate the secret ceremony.

 

Father Valentine’s clear violation of the Emperor’s ruling eventually landed him in jail and he was sentenced to death.

 

Over the centuries the story picked up a few embellishments. One of which recounts how lovers married by Valentine would visit his cell and give him cards and flowers. Another tells how Valentine fell in love with his jailor’s daughter.  Then, the night before he was to be killed, he wrote a letter to her signed “Your Valentine.”

 

He was executed February 14th, becoming a martyr in the eyes of Catholic Church.

 

Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day has lost most of its historical and religious context (save for Cupid, the Roman God of Desire) and it has since become one of the most lucrative consumer holidays.

 

Each year, Americans shower their loved ones with over 180 million roses, 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and over a billion greeting cards (second only to Christmas.) Overall, Americans spend something like $20 billion on Valentine’s Day.

 

 

 

 Forget  Valentine day, I take the 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates NOW. Or any other day too. 

Edited February 13, 2015 by Dustparticle

[Allabord4Jah]

This stupid day in February, a sister gave her son his middle name, because he was born on Valentine Day,  and she is proud of it.  

[Luezette]

Thank you for that Joan, I had no idea about it's bloody theme. I only knew it was pagan as all holidays are, and it had something to do with the false god cupid.

One question though and not that it's all important but what has the color red to do with it?

[Luezette]

Wait!!! Oh my goodness! Even a five year old could've answered that one, lol.

Blood is red!

[rbrown1205]

Another version of the story is that Valentine would secretively give money to poor couples who wanted to get married but cannot afford a dowry.  Lots of versions.  It also happened to be Lupercalia, a pagan holiday.