Valentine’s Day is a holiday filled with romance, love, and of course the commercialization of our appreciation for the special people in our lives. But the origins of this romantic holiday actually range from pretty dark to downright strange, depending on which folklore you believe.
Beheaded in the Name of Love
The Catholic Church recognizes several versions of a martyred St. Valentine. One story is that a priest by the name of Valentine, or Valentinus, married couples in secret after Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men, thinking it would make them better soldiers. Another story is that an imprisoned Bishop Valentine of Tern sent a love note to his beloved and signed it, “From your Valentine.” All stories of the patron saints of lovers end with them being beheaded.
How Animal Blood Led to Marriage
Why do we celebrate on Feb. 14? Many credit the ancient pagan Roman festival of Lupercalia, which took place in mid-February. During this celebration of fertility, priests “gently” slapped women with goat hides dipped in blood, believing it would make them more fertile (which just sounds messy, right?). The party would end with young men drawing women’s names from jars, and they would be coupled up for the festival, which ideally would lead to their marriage.
From its Dark Origins to Modern-Day Interpretations
As the Romans departed from paganism, it’s believed the Catholic Church replaced this sexy celebration with St. Valentine’s Day. Another folklore is that the Norman people’s celebration of Galatin’s Day, the “lover of women,” (Galentine’s Day, anyone?!) was eventually combined with Valentine’s Day because of how similar they were pronounced. William Shakespeare and other writers are credited with romanticizing the holiday and creating mass appeal. At the turn of the 20th century, Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri began mass-producing Valentine’s Day cards.
Now that you know the dark origins of Valentine’s Day, does this day still inspire romance for you? Love is patient, love is kind, but never forget it can also be weird and dramatic. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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