The History and Meaning of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14, is a day dedicated to love and romance. This year, it falls on a Friday. Across the United States and many parts of the world, people exchange candy, flowers, and gifts as symbols of affection, all in the name of St. Valentine.

But who was St. Valentine, and where did these traditions originate? The history of Valentine’s Day is a fascinating blend of legend, ancient rituals, and historical events.

The story of St. Valentine remains shrouded in mystery. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One of the most widely accepted legends tells of a third-century Roman priest named Valentine. When Emperor Claudius II ruled that single men made better soldiers and banned marriage for young men, Valentine defied the decree by secretly performing weddings. When his actions were discovered, he was imprisoned and later executed.

Another version suggests that Valentine was a bishop named Valentine of Terni, who was also executed by Claudius II. Yet another tale claims Valentine was martyred for aiding persecuted Christians. Before his death, he allegedly sent a letter signed “From your Valentine” to a young woman possibly his jailer’s daughter thus inspiring the modern phrase.

While the truth behind these legends is uncertain, St. Valentine became a symbol of love, courage, and devotion. By the Middle Ages, he was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Valentine’s Day may have deeper roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated from February 13 to 15. This fertility festival involved rituals meant to ensure health, ward off evil spirits, and encourage prosperity. Men sacrificed goats and dogs, then used the hides to whip women, believing it would promote fertility. The festival also included a matchmaking lottery, where young men and women were paired off.

As Christianity spread, Pope Gelasius I sought to replace the pagan festival with a Christian observance, officially declaring February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in the late 5th century. However, the romantic associations of the day did not fully take shape until much later.

By the Middle Ages, people in France and England believed that February 14 marked the beginning of birds’ mating season, further reinforcing the idea that the date should be associated with love and courtship. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was among the first to link St. Valentine’s Day to romance in his 1375 poem “Parliament of Fowls,” writing:

“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day / When every bird comes there to choose his mate.”

By the 15th century, written love notes became popular. The oldest known valentine, a poem penned by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife in 1415 while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, still exists today in the British Library. Later, King Henry V is believed to have hired a writer to compose a romantic note for Catherine of Valois.

The tradition of exchanging valentines gained widespread popularity during the Victorian era. By the mid-19th century, mass-produced Valentine’s Day cards became common, thanks to innovations in printing and postage.

Cupid, the mischievous cherub often seen on Valentine’s Day cards, has origins in Roman mythology. He is based on Eros, the Greek god of love, who was originally depicted as a handsome, immortal being capable of making gods and mortals fall in love with his golden arrows. Over time, particularly during the Hellenistic period, Eros transformed into the chubby, childlike figure we recognize today.

By the 18th century, Valentine’s Day had become firmly established as a celebration of love in England, and it soon spread to the United States. During the 1830s, businesses began selling pre-made Valentine’s Day kits. By the late 19th century, commercialism had taken hold.

The holiday’s commercial boom escalated in the 20th century, with greeting card companies, florists, chocolatiers, and jewelers heavily marketing the occasion. Today, Valentine’s Day is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with people purchasing cards, flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and even extravagant experiences to celebrate love.

In modern times, Valentine’s Day has expanded beyond romantic love to include expressions of affection for family, friends, and even self-love. The holiday has become a cultural phenomenon, embraced worldwide in various forms. While some cherish its traditions, others criticize its commercialization.

Regardless of its origins whether rooted in Roman festivals, Christian martyrdom, or poetic traditions Valentine’s Day continues to be a day devoted to love, passion, and human connection.