ALT-1 Valentines Day Origins
When asking how did St Valentines day originate? It's a bit of a conundrum really. The opinions very greatly on this subject. Some have it that it all started with a Roman priest, St Valentine, who on refusing to give up Christianity, was martyred. Before he died on February 14th, 269 A.D he left a goodbye note to his friend, the prison guards daughter who had become his very good ally during his time in prison, and he signed it 'From your Valentine'.
That day just happened to be a day that had been designated love lottery day, a day to honor Juno, the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses, who was also known as the goddess of women, and marriages. Legend also has it that St Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius, and St Valentine was thrown in prison for defying his new ruling. Claudius forbade men marrying, and from getting engaged, so they would be free to join his army, and St Valentine being a priest, continued to marry couples after the ban. After his imprisonment, many young people went to the jail to visit him. They threw and notes and flowers up to his window. They wanted him to know that they believed in love, as he did. Claudius was a hated leader because of his ridiculous ban on marriage, implemented just to further his armies number.
Later in 496 A.D Pope Gelasius then made February 14th a day that St. Valentines name should be remembered, and honored. From that time on February 14th became the date for poems, gifts and cards to be exchanged. Hence St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. It became a big occasion, and lovers would send flowers and simple gifts. There would be special events set up such as parties, and balls.
History has it that an American woman, Esther Howland was the very first person to send Valentines cards. The commercialization of Valentines day began in the 1800's, and has grown over the years into what it is today. Because of it's unconfirmed origins the Catholic church dropped St Valentines day from the Roman calendar, reserving only saints days with clear cut evidence of their origins and existence.
The love lottery was held on the day of the Roman festival of Lupercalia. A festival that was celebrated on February 15th. This day was dedicated to the god Lupercus for 800 years. There would be a lottery and a young man would pick the name of a young maiden, from a jar, and the woman would then become his sexual companion for one year. Then in the reign of Pope Gelasius changed the custom he found so distasteful, and he made St Valentine the designated Saint instead of Lupercus, and also changed the custom to both men and woman choosing a name, but this time it would be the name of a saint and not a partner, and they would then emulate that Saint for one year. Tradition still being a day of love and handwritten notes were sent to the person that the man admired, and at this stage they would sign their name to the note. -
I think the sending of anonymous Valentines cards seems to have died off a bit. Maybe it still goes on in schools, maybe it's mainly for the young. I don't know. So whether man or myth, I think I would like to believe this version of events. It all seems to add up nicely, and it does make a lovely tale.
It has been very interesting to discover the origins of St Valentines day, and it has made it all the more poignant for me. So when I am celebrating Valentines day this year I will be thinking about how it all came about. It is a very special day to share with the one you love, and I think this day just reminds us of how lucky we are to have found that special someone in our lives.- Love is transient, love is all, grasp it with both hands, and never let it go. -
~*Happy Valentines Day*~
