The Reason Behind Celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14th
Feb 13: Valentine’s Day is a special occasion for couples and lovers all over the world. It is a day when they express their feelings and affection for each other with gifts, flowers, cards, romantic dates, and more. But have you ever wondered why we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th and what is the history behind this day of love? In this blog post, we will explore the origins and significance of Valentine’s Day and how it became a global phenomenon.
The Legend of Saint Valentine
The most popular and widely accepted story behind Valentine’s Day is that it is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian priest who lived in Rome in the third century AD. According to legend, Saint Valentine was a compassionate and courageous man who defied the orders of Emperor Claudius II, who banned young men from getting married because he believed that single men made better soldiers. Saint Valentine secretly performed weddings for young couples who wanted to tie the knot. He also helped persecuted Christians who were suffering under the Roman Empire.
However, his actions did not go unnoticed and he was eventually arrested and imprisoned by Claudius II. While in jail, he befriended the jailer’s daughter, who was blind, and miraculously restored her sight. He also converted the jailer and his family to Christianity. On February 14th, 270 AD, Saint Valentine was executed by beheading. Before his death, he wrote a farewell letter to the jailer’s daughter, signing it as “From your Valentine”. This is believed to be the origin of the phrase that we use today to express our love.
The Feast of Saint Valentine
Saint Valentine was not the only martyr named Valentine in the history of the Church. There were at least two other saints with the same name who were also killed for their faith in different parts of the world. However, it is Saint Valentine of Rome who is most commonly associated with Valentine’s Day. In the 8th century, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th as the Feast of Saint Valentine, a day to honor and remember these martyrs and celebrate their love for God and humanity.
The Connection with Lupercalia
Another possible explanation for why we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th is that it coincides with an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia, which was held from February 13th to 15th. Lupercalia was a pagan celebration of fertility, purification, and spring. It involved rituals such as animal sacrifices, whipping of women with animal skins to ensure fertility and a matchmaking lottery where men and women were paired up for the duration of the festival.
Some historians suggest that when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, the Church tried to replace Lupercalia with a more suitable Christian celebration. Thus, they chose February 14th as the Feast of Saint Valentine, who was seen as a symbol of love and marriage. However, this theory is not universally accepted and there is no clear evidence that Lupercalia and Valentine’s Day are directly linked.
The Evolution of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day as we know it today did not become a popular celebration until the Middle Ages, especially in England and France. It was during this time that people began to associate February 14th with romantic love, inspired by the legends of Saint Valentine and the belief that birds started to mate on this day. Poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare wrote about Valentine’s Day in their works, spreading its fame and appeal.
By the 18th century, Valentine’s Day had become a common occasion for lovers to exchange handwritten notes, flowers, candies, and other tokens of affection. The first printed Valentine’s cards appeared in England in the late 1700s and soon became a mass-produced industry. With the advent of postal services, telephones, and the internet, Valentine’s Day reached new heights of popularity and commercialization in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, with different customs and traditions reflecting their cultures and values.
The Meaning of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is more than just a day to buy gifts or go on dates. It is a day to celebrate love in all its forms: romantic love, friendship love, family love, self-love, and divine love. It is a day to honor the legacy of Saint Valentine and other martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their faith and their principles. It is a day to remember that love is the most powerful force in the world and that it can overcome any obstacle or challenge.
So this February 14th, whether you are single or in a relationship, take some time to appreciate the people who matter to you and express your gratitude for their presence in your life. And don’t forget to love yourself, because you are worthy and deserving of love. Happy Valentine’s Day!
By
Sujata Muguda
Shreyas WebMedia Solutions
