Valentine’s Day has long been associated with love, romance, and cherubs circling overhead. However, its history is shrouded in mystery and controversy. Contrary to popular belief, the origins of Valentine’s Day may be linked to an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia, which involved erotic rituals, religious purification, and atonement.
Noel Lenski, a Yale University historian, suggests that Lupercalia shares similarities with modern Valentine’s Day. Both festivals feature pairing off individuals by lottery, although Lupercalia also involves ritualized violence against women to purify them for fertility. This theory challenges the long-held narrative that Pope Gelasius created the holiday to honor a martyred saint named Valentine.
Historians are divided on the existence of St. Valentine, with some arguing that the story was fabricated by a prominent family to promote their ancestor’s legend. The Catholic Church has officially recognized only two St. Valentines – one who was martyred in third-century Rome and another who was a bishop in Terni.
Despite the confusion surrounding its origins, Valentine’s Day gained popularity in England and the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. The tradition evolved to include poetry, handmade cards, flowers, and chocolates. However, some critics argue that the holiday has become overly commercialized.
In a surprising twist, historians reveal that the notion of St. Valentine as a symbol of love may be attributed to English writer Geoffrey Chaucer’s association with another St. Valentine whose feast day was May 3. Shakespeare and other poets followed suit, popularizing the connection between love and St. Valentine’s Day.
Today, Valentine’s Day remains a subject of debate among historians. While some appreciate the holiday as a welcome respite from winter’s chill, others lament its commercialization. As one historian noted, “Everybody’s always expecting Valentine’s Day to die out, and it never does.”
Source: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/why-do-we-celebrate-valentines-day-how-the-holiday-originated-and-more/3674713