Valentine's Day, also known as Saint Valentine's Day, is a holiday celebrated on February 14th every year. It is a day dedicated to celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. But have you ever wondered how this holiday came to be? The history of Valentine's Day can be traced back to ancient Rome, where a festival called Lupercalia was held in mid-February. The festival, which was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus, involved the sacrifice of goats and dogs, and the smearing of the blood on the foreheads of young men. Women would also place their names in an urn, from which the men would draw a name and become paired with that woman for the duration of the festival.
However, the holiday as we know it today has more to do with Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century. There are multiple stories and legends associated with Saint Valentine, but the most popular one is that he was a priest who defied the Roman Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriage, and secretly married couples to spare them from being sent to war. Saint Valentine was eventually discovered, arrested, and executed for his actions.
During the Middle Ages, Saint Valentine became the patron saint of lovers and his feast day was celebrated on February 14th. The tradition of sending love letters and gifts on this day began in the 15th century, and it slowly evolved into the holiday we celebrate today.
Nowadays, Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, and it is a day for couples to show their love and affection for each other. People exchange cards, flowers, chocolates, and gifts with their significant others, and some may even go out on romantic dates. It's also a day to celebrate love in all forms, whether it's romantic love, platonic love, or self-love. So, there you have it, a brief history of Valentine's Day.
Whether you're in a relationship or not, take some time to appreciate the people you love and care about on this special day. Happy Valentine's Day!