Origins of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day, celebrated every year on February 14, is widely recognized as a day for celebrating love and affection. Despite its popularity, many people might not know its historical origins. The holiday can be traced back to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. However, Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day around 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day.
Who Was St. Valentine?
There are many theories about the identity of St. Valentine. Some sources suggest that there may have been more than one saint by this name. The most common account is of a priest named Valentine who lived in Rome during the third century. Valentine defied Emperor Claudius II’s decree that young men remain single to make better soldiers, and secretly performed weddings for young lovers. When his defiance was discovered, he was put to death, becoming a martyr for love.
Modern Celebrations of Valentine’s Day
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. Millions of people use it as a day to express their love for each other by sending cards, flowers, and chocolates, planning special dates, or giving other thoughtful tokens of affection. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent $27.4 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2020.
- Cards make up the most popular type of gift, with approximately 145 million Valentine’s Day cards exchanged annually.
- Flowers, specifically roses, are the go-to gift for many. An estimated 250 million roses were produced for Valentine’s Day in 2017.
- Chocolates and candy are also widely gifted. More than 58 million pounds of chocolate are purchased during Valentine’s week.
The True Meaning of Valentine’s Day
In the midst of all the commercial aspects of Valentine’s Day, the true meaning remains the celebration of love and affection towards our partners, friends, and family. It’s a day to express our feelings, not necessarily through spending large amounts of money, but through acts of kindness, heart-felt words, and thoughtful gestures.
