I myself am in two minds about Saint Valentine’s Day. To a certain extent, I look forward to the day, as at least it is in February, and quite frankly, no month is as hideous as January! Furthermore, February 14th has provided some special days for me.
In my final two years of school, red roses could be anonymously sent to fellow students and the money spent on the flowers would be donated to the chosen charity of the year. For these two consecutive years, February 14th was very special, for both times I received three red roses along with their individual messages of love or admiration. These gestures, however small they may sound, meant the world to me, and for the girl who doubted that she would receive one, February 14th was the best ever!
Anyway, enough about my happiness on February 14th! Last year did not match up to the joy of the previous two years!
So what are the origins of Saint Valentine’s Day? Why is February 14th celebrated each year? Who was Saint Valentine?
Although there are a number of interpretations surrounding the precise origins of Saint Valentine’s Day, one story is frequently described.
Saint Valentine was a priest from Rome during the 3rd century AD. The emperor Claudius II had prohibited marriage, believing that the institute of marriage led to the formation of poor soldiers. Saint Valentine considered this to be unjust, and so he secretly organised marriages.
Upon Claudius discovering what the saint had been up to, Saint Valentine was imprisoned and condemned to death. During his time in prison, he fell in love with the daughter of the prison guard. On the 14th February, shortly before his death, he wrote and sent her a love letter. It was signed ‘from your Valentine’.
The day is also thought to stem from the Roman festival of Lupercalia, an event that took place in the middle of the month of February. Festivities during the course of this event are thought to have included boys drawing the name of a girl from a box, which would lead to them forming a couple during the celebrations; marriage often followed!
A little time later, the church opted to transform this festival into a Christian celebration, and also to use February 14th in order to commemorate the life of Saint Valentine.
Today, Saint Valentine’s Day is celebrated the world over by couples and lovers alike. Cards, flowers, chocolates, among other gifts are equally sent and received by individuals in order to demonstrate love, affection and admiration. Traditionally, Valentines are anonymously sent, signed with ‘from your Valentine’ or with a single question mark.
I wish you all a very happy Saint Valentine’s Day!
HCXO