Across much of the world on the 14th February Valentine’s Day is celebrated, but where did the tradition come from and how did it become such a staple part of our calendar? Along with many festivals celebrated in Britain, St Valentine’s Day appears to have some basis in paganism and it is believed that the celebration of love and relationships that we see today were inspired by Lupercalia, a fertility festival celebrated by the pagans. Apparently, the festival took place every year from 13th – 15th February. Chaucer wrote a poem in 1382 to celebrate the engagement of Richard II to Anne of Bohemia and it was his mention of St Valentine’s Day and the association with romantic love within the poem that formed the basis of the day we now know.
Although there were several martyrs in the early Christian church named Valentine, only two of them are commemorated on February 14. The two saints are Valentine of Terni and Valentine of Rome. Valentine of Terni was martyred in 213 and Valentine of Rome was martyred in 269. Both of them were added to the calendar of saints in 496 by Pope Gelasius.
Hope that you all have a lovely day wherever you are.
There are pagan origins in many Christian festivals, little acknowledged but true nonetheless. And then the purveyors of consumerism came along and there was never a festival, pagan or otherwise, that wasn't ripe for exploitation.
ReplyDeleteWe live in an age of consumerism which appears to be fueled by desires rather than things that we actually need.
DeleteHave a lovely and non-martyred Valentines Day!
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DeleteHappy Valentine's day...ignore those stores selling everything to give each other. The message still is, "Love one another."
ReplyDeleteI love your comment Barbara.
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day. Good history. Not something I've ever celebrated. Three things I've noticed in nature though and thought 'is that just a coincidence or an inspiration perhaps?...is damselflies mating together which can form a perfect heart shape that field workers must have spotted every summer, Caledonian mature pine tree bark which can flake naturally into identical round jigsaw joining pieces and yellowhammer eggs with markings that look identical to modern pen marks, hence it's old name of scribble lark. So many pagan or aspirational human ideas can be traced right back to watching animals, including flight, so I'm surprised bunnies are not included somewhere in the St Valentine's day package as well as roses and chocolates.
ReplyDeleteI too have seen damsel flies mating and as you say they do form a perfect heart shape. Bunnies appear to be the perogative of the Easter season, perhaps suggesting new life.
DeleteHello Rosemary, Happy Valentine's Day! Or should that now be Valentines' Day? Sts. Valentine Day? I agree with David about over-commercialization, but perhaps we need nuclei to celebrate around, otherwise the days are undifferentiated. Also, we can celebrate holidays without buying out stocks of plastic ornaments and candy (not good for us anyway!), and just celebrate in our own way.
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Hello Jim - a tasty meal, preferably made by someone else, and a relaxed day would be my choice. You are right about the fact that we do need to celebrate from time to time.
DeleteThank you, Rosemary - I wish you a beautiful evening too! In Germany the tradition of St. Valentines's day is relatively new - when I was young it was not celebrated. Later I had the impression it was a feat for the florists. Nowadays I am happy to get those greetings - so times are a changing :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a teenager it was lovely to get a Valentine's card from a secret admirer as they were never signed, so you had to try and guess who might have sent it.
DeleteNo 'over the top' celebration here - just a card, a small but pretty bar of chocolate with pink wrapping to share, and some little Post-It notes stuck where Bob can see them through the day. Last one he'll see tonight on his pillow - "I LOVE YOU EVEN WHEN YOU SNORE" haha!
ReplyDelete. . . . .and anyone who forks out $150 for a bunch of unnatural looking long-stem roses should be punished!!!!!
Love to you and J - hope your day has been LOVEly!!!!
Sounds as if you have had a special day Mary especially thinking up and posting all of those special messages for Bob.
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy Valentine's Day in the 'purest' non–commercial way!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - we have had a lovely day and enjoyed a very nice meal at home this evening with a bottle of bubbly.
DeleteLucky you! Mine was a bit different having to digest my lab results given to my nephrologist this morning. My CKD went from 28% kidney function in October to 26%...
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Oh Mariette! I am really, really sorry to learn this.
DeleteIt IS what it IS...
DeleteI hope you had a lovely Valentine's, Rosemary! I think Jim's right and Valentines' would be nice inclusive way of remembering both martyrs :) Nothing happens for Valentine's in this household mostly as it's sandwiched by birthdays of family members. Indeed I only seem to remember it as a kid as something from the Peanuts comic strip so I don't quite know when the restaurants and florists jumped on the bandwagon here.
ReplyDeleteThe Lupercalia festival sounds so mysterious. Our pagan past really is fascinating and open to so much interpretation. I watched a series called 'Romulus' just recently, based on the Roman Romulus & Remus foundation legend - not the best thing out there but pretty entertaining and it caught my eye because it's performed in Old Latin! Subtitled, of course. It opens with Lupercalia, but there aren't any romantic connotations! Just spooky lupine ones.
According to what I have read Lupercalia was a pastoral festival of Ancient Rome which was observed annually on February 15 to purify the city, promoting health and fertility. However, it seems that some very strange barbaric rituals took place.
DeleteOur Valentine's days are low-key - a special meal (at home) with some wine. Sometimes there are flowers, sometimes not.
ReplyDeleteI hope you've had a lovely day.
Snap Lorrie.
DeleteDear Rosemary - Thank you for the explanation of historical aspect of Valentine’s Day. Too much commercialism like Christmas, and I don’t need a special day or a setting to show my love or thankfulness. Every day is Valentine’s Day. Having said that, I like Valentine’s Day. I enjoyed teatime over homemade cookies by my daughter and my granddaughter yesterday. Hope you had a nice day, too.
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Dear Yoko - commercialism has taken over so many festivals these days. I really like your comment "Everyday is Valentine's Day." I am pleased that you enjoyed homemade cookies made for you by your daughter and granddaughter and had a lovely day together.
DeleteDear Rosemary, Thank you for sharing the Valentine Story. I did not know any of it. Thank you for sharing. Red Roses are still the very special rose for a very special person.
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DeleteIt's not something I celebrate, but it's not a painful day like Christmas is for me.
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