The origin of Valentine’s Day

While multiple Christian martyrs bore the name Valentine, it’s suggested that the day possibly derives its name from a priest martyred around 270 CE under Emperor Claudius II Gothicus.

Legend has it that the priest signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter, whom he befriended and, according to some stories, cured of blindness. Alternatively, it’s suggested that St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, may have been the inspiration for the holiday’s name, although there’s speculation that the two saints could be one person.

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A prevalent legend recounts that St. Valentine disobeyed the emperor’s commands, secretly officiating marriages to shield husbands from war. This association with love is why his feast day is linked to the theme of love.

Valentines, in the form of formal messages, emerged in the 1500s, and the utilization of commercially printed cards became widespread by the late 1700s. The inaugural commercial valentines in the United States were produced in the mid-1800s.

Valentines often feature representations of Cupid, the Roman god of love, and hearts, symbolizing the traditional seat of emotion. The association with birds stems from the belief that the avian mating season commences in mid-February, further becoming a symbol of the day.

The festival, commemorating the arrival of spring, incorporated fertility rituals and the random pairing of women with men through lotteries. In the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I prohibited the observance of Lupercalia and is occasionally credited with substituting it with St. Valentine’s Day.

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Valentine’s Day, observed on February 14th, is a holiday where lovers express their affection through greetings and gifts. Due to similarities, some propose its origins trace back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February.

Typical gifts encompass sweets and flowers, especially red roses, symbolizing both beauty and love.

The actual origins of Valentine’s Day remain unclear. It wasn’t until the 14th century that Valentine’s Day evolved into a celebrated day of romance.

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Celebrated widely in the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia, Valentine’s Day is also recognized in various countries such as Argentina, France, Mexico, and South Korea. In the Philippines, it holds significance as the most common wedding anniversary, often marked by mass weddings involving hundreds of couples on this date.

The celebration has broadened to include expressions of affection among family and friends. On this day, numerous schoolchildren engage in the tradition of exchanging valentines with each other.