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A Brief History of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on February 14, but what exactly does this Valentine's Day look like?
If, like many others, the only thing you know is that it is somehow linked with the mysterious St. Valentine, then you have to know a lot more.
Check out the adorable history of the most romantic day of the year!
Who is St. Valentine?
Saint Valentine was a priest who performed marriage ceremonies (and other services) in Rome in the third century.
The emperor at the time was Claudius II, who had the wise idea that men would make better soldiers if they were all single.
Due to his new theory, he banned marriage for young men, prompting Valentine to oppose him.
Instead of obeying the new law, the kind priest performed marriage ceremonies, meaning many young people across the country were still able to get married.
Of course, Claudius II was horrified by this when he learned what was going on, and killed poor Valentine.
Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?
Not sure why we celebrate Valentine's Day in February, although there are some interesting hints.
Most commonly this is the month that St. Valentine was martyred, although some theorists believe it was first held in February to overshadow a pagan festival.
Lupercalia celebrations feature priests, a sacred cave and sacrifices in the form of goats and dogs.
This is supposed to make it easier for city women to give birth next year, but since Christians disagree with this custom they most likely decided to celebrate Valentine's Day this month.
When is the official Valentine's Day?
Two centuries after the death of Valentine's Day, Pope Gelasius became head of the Catholic Church and decreed that February 14 should be Valentine's Day.
For now, the Christian uprising has been a great success and has actually eliminated the Lupercalia festivals, so everyone can focus on love day this month.
However, it was not really associated with love until later.
Medieval people believed that February 14 was the beginning of the mating season for birds, and when this theory was added to the legend of St. Valentine, the date began to become meaningful as the anniversary of the
Development of Valentine's Day.
The Valentine's Day message became increasingly popular after 1400, but it was not entirely unprecedented before.
In fact, legend has it that St. Valentine was imprisoned and sent a message to her lover with the sign ‘From your Valentine’.
This can be highly romanticized, but if it is true, definitely explain one of the most common phrases seen on Valentine's Day cards today.
Inside London's British Library, there is a manuscript of the first Valentine's message that we still keep today.
Charles, Duke of Orleans, was in prison and wrote a love poem for his wife in 1415. Although St. Valentine's message of love may be purely a legend, Charles's story is certainly
A few hundred years back, and Valentine's Day cards began to be mass produced with thousands of panels.
In the American 1840s, cards were made with lace, ribbons and other beautiful ornaments.
About a billion Valentine's Day cards are bought each year and (you won't be surprised to know) 85% of them are bought by women.
