Valentine’s day was started as a day to show that you care for others by sharing cards, candy, flowers, and gifts. This tradition is especially popular in the United States and it was originally called St. Valentine’s Day. The day was after a Christian Saint named Valentinus. There are several different versions of how Valentinus was associated with the tradition of Valentine’s day.
Brief History Lesson on Valentines Day:
- February was celebrated as a month of love and romance.
- Valentine’s Day was originated from Christian and ancient Roman traditions.
- The Catholic Church documented three saints that were named Valentine or Valentinus. All three of these saints were killed for marrying soldiers who were forbidden from being married because single soldiers were more productive than their married counter parts.
- Another account stated that Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape from Roman prisons.
- All of the stories behind Valentine’s day portray a romantic figure.
- The Pagan’s celebrate the death of St. Valentine during the month of February. Pagan’s feel that Valentines Day was moved to the middle of the month (the 14th) to “Christianize” the celebration of Lupercialia. The Lupercialia was celebrated between the 13th through the 15th of February and it is a pastoral festival that helps ward off evils spirits so that the city can return to purity.
- Lupercialia was outlawed during the 5th centruy when Pope Gelasisus declared Valentines Day to be celebrated on February 14th and later it was associated with a day of love.
- Valentine greetings became popular during the Middle Ages and written greetings didn’t become popular until after the 1400s.
I think Valentine’s day should be celebrated each and every day because it is always important that we show our loved ones how we feel every single day. You never know when you or your loved one’s time will be up on Earth.
Do you have any special plans for Valentine’s Day?
