On February 14, multiple countries including the United States celebrate Valentine’s Day. It’s the holiday of love and gift giving with a rich history stemming from the third century.
Valentine’s Day was named after Saint Valentine and started out as a religious holiday until the fourteenth century when it became the day of romance. However, before the fourteenth century, some theorized that the Roman holiday Lupercalia was the blueprint for Valentine’s Day. Lupercalia was a Roman festival that started on February 13 and ended on February 15. It was meant to promote health and fertility.
As for Saint Valentine, there are multiple theories regarding who he was.
One theory is that Saint Valentine was a priest martyred about 270 CE by Claudius II Gothicus. According to the theory, he signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter whom he befriended, and in some stories cured her blindness, in his time before being martyred on February 14. The Feast of Saint Valentine was established to honor the martyr.
Another theory states that Saint Valentine of Terni is the correct Saint Valentine. People believe he was the one that got Valentine’s Day its name. He was known for defying the emperor’s orders and would secretly marry couples to avoid husbands going to war. That’s why he was associated with love.
However, it is possible both Saints were the same person, but the truth will never be known since it was so long ago.
It doesn’t matter who the true Saint Valentine was because it led to the creation of Valentine’s Day. The first true valentines to people appeared in the 1500s. Eventually, commercially printed cards were used by the late 1700s and, by the 1850s, the United States were using the cards.
There are common symbols that are depicted in Valentine’s Day. There is association with Cupid, the Roman god of love, and hearts. Traditional gifts include candy, chocolate, and flowers, especially roses which symbolize beauty and love.
The day is filled with positivity. There are many traditions that take place. Elementary schools often have classes giving out cards and candy to one another. Some schools sell Valentine’s Day items for classes and clubs. Obviously, couples spend the day together.
Senior Chloe Schmidt says her Valentine’s plans are often “a small dinner and exchanging gifts” with her partner.
Not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day the same. Friends often share the holiday together. It’s typically called “Palentine’s Day” or “Galentine’s Day.” Sometimes friends are all you need.
However, some people believe that Valentine’s Day has become a commercial holiday rather than an appreciation for its true meaning of love. In the United States alone, $24 billion was spent on Valentine’s Day. Blackman history teacher, Thomas Capouch, believes “it has become a way to shame those who are not in a relationship or to shame people who do not or cannot buy items for their significant other.”
While opinions may differ, people can agree the day is meant for love and spending it with those who you love. Depending on whether you celebrate, it can be a fun day and an excuse to get yourself or others a gift.
