The Conflicting Origins of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14, is a day associated with love, romance, and affection. However, its origins are surrounded by mystery and confusion. Multiple theories exist about how the holiday came to be, with connections to ancient Roman festivals, Christian martyrdom, medieval traditions, and even commercialism. This HK florist guide explores the conflicting origins of Valentine’s Day, highlighting the different influences that shaped the holiday as we know it today.
1. The Roman Festival: Lupercalia
One of the most widely discussed theories is that Valentine’s Day has roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated from February 13–15. Lupercalia was a pagan fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and to Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.
During the festival, Roman priests, called the Luperci, would sacrifice goats and dogs, using their hides to slap women, who believed it would promote fertility. In another part of the festival, young men and women participated in a lottery-style matchmaking ritual, which sometimes led to marriages.
Some historians speculate that as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, the Church sought to Christianize the festival of Lupercalia by replacing it with a holiday focused on a Christian figure. Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, likely in an attempt to replace the pagan practices of Lupercalia. However, there is little historical evidence to suggest that Lupercalia directly influenced the modern celebration of Valentine’s Day, especially since Lupercalia was focused more on fertility than romantic love.
2. The Christian Martyrs Named Valentine
Another prominent theory suggests that Valentine’s Day originated from the stories of St. Valentine, a Christian martyr or martyrs who were executed by the Roman Empire. There are several Valentines, and their stories differ depending on the source.
One story involves Valentine of Rome, a priest who was executed for secretly performing marriages for soldiers. Roman Emperor Claudius II had banned marriages for young men, believing that unmarried men made better soldiers. Valentine defied this order, marrying couples in secret, and was ultimately executed for his actions.
Another figure, Valentine of Terni, was a bishop known for performing miracles and healing the sick, and he was also martyred for his Christian faith.
There is also mention of an unknown Valentine in Africa, though little is known about his story.
While the precise historical details of St. Valentine’s life are unclear, many scholars believe that the holiday was named in honor of one or more of these martyrs. The Roman Catholic Church formally recognized February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD. However, the link between the martyrdom of St. Valentine(s) and the romantic elements of the holiday is debated. Some believe that the association with love and romance was a later development, added in part due to the timing of the celebration in February, which coincided with the ancient traditions of matchmaking and fertility.
3. The Medieval Tradition of Courtly Love
Valentine’s Day’s connection to romantic love was solidified during the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe, where the concept of courtly love emerged. This period saw the rise of chivalric poetry and literature, which idealized the love between knights and their noble ladies. The idea of courtly love was one of devotion, often unrequited and expressed through poetic gestures, rather than physical consummation.
One of the earliest known references to Valentine’s Day as a romantic celebration comes from the famous medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer. In his 1382 poem, “Parlement of Foules,” Chaucer writes:
"For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day, when every bird comes there to choose his mate."
Chaucer’s poem is considered one of the first literary connections between Valentine’s Day and romantic love.
By the 14th and 15th centuries, it became customary for lovers to exchange Valentine’s notes, an early form of the cards we see today. The medieval tradition contributed significantly to the modern understanding of Valentine’s Day as a celebration of romantic love, but it also diverged from the religious or pagan origins of the holiday.
4. The Commercialization of Valentine’s Day
By the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine’s Day began to evolve into a more commercialized and secular celebration, marked by the exchange of Valentine’s cards, flowers, and gifts. In Britain and America, the practice of exchanging written love notes on Valentine’s Day gained popularity, especially after Esther Howland, known as the “Mother of the American Valentine,” began producing and selling mass-produced Valentine’s cards in the U.S. during the 1840s.
With the rise of global trade, the sale of chocolates, flowers, jewelry, and other gifts became strongly associated with Valentine’s Day. The holiday, once based on religious and romantic traditions, became increasingly commercialized, especially during the 20th century, when businesses began to heavily promote it as a time for gift-giving.
Today, Valentine’s Day is largely a secular holiday, celebrated by people of all faiths and backgrounds, with much of the focus on commercial products rather than religious observances or historical traditions.
A Holiday with Many Origins
The origins of Valentine’s Day are multifaceted and somewhat contradictory. The holiday seems to have evolved from a combination of ancient Roman festivals, Christian martyrdom, medieval romance, and commercial interests. Whether you see it as a day honoring a Christian saint, a pagan fertility ritual, or simply a day to celebrate love, Valentine’s Day has become a global tradition that continues to be shaped by cultural and societal influences.
Despite its conflicting origins, the holiday now stands as a celebration of love, affection, and devotion, whether expressed through cards, flowers, gifts, or shared time with loved ones.
