When is Valentine's Day? Valentine's Day, or Saint Valentine's Day, is celebrated on February 14 and is a traditional day in some cultures where lovers show their love, most often by sending cards and flowers, exchanging gifts. But who is this mysterious Valentine and where does this tradition come from?
The legend of Saint Valentine
The history of Valentine's Day and the story of its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. We know that February is the month of romance and that Valentine's Day as we know it today contains leftovers Christian and ancient Roman traditions. But who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient ritual?
The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentin or Valentinus, who were all martyred. One legend claims that Valentine was a priest who served in Rome in the third century. When Emperor Claudius II.
decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he banned marriage for young men. When Valentine realized the injustice of the decree, he defied the emperor and continued to arrange marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's deed was discovered, the emperor ordered that he be killed.
Other stories suggest that it was Valentine maybe killed, for trying to help Christians escape from the harsh Roman prisons. One of the legends says that the imprisoned Valentin sent letters to a young girl from prison. Before his death, he was supposed to write her a letter with the signature - From your Valentine.
Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is unclear, all the stories make a point his attractiveness like compassionate, heroic and – most importantly – romantic personality. In the Middle Ages, perhaps because of this reputation, Valentine became one of the most popular saints in England and France.
- When is Valentine's Day?
- Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?
- The date we celebrate Valentine's Day?
Pagan festival - Valentine's Day
The Christian Church claims that Valentine's Day is celebrated on the old Roman day a pagan holiday Lupercalia, which glorifies health and fertility. To start the festival, members of the Luperci order of Roman priests gathered in the holy cave, where they were supposed to sacrifice a goat and a dog for Romulus and Remus - the kings of Rome. Their skins, which were displayed around the city, became like this symbol for fertility. By touching the skins, young girls believed that they would become pregnant in the coming year, and they also found husbands through them.
The oldest known Valentine text was a song. In 1415, Duke Charles of Orleans wrote it to his wife.
Photo: Letícia Higa from Pexels
The pagan festival was then banned in the 5th century. Pope Gelasius proclaimed it as the day of St. Valentine. It was only much later that February 14 happened connected with loveo. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mating season of birds begins at the beginning of this month, so they recorded this day as a romantic celebration.
Valentine's greetings were popular already in the Middle Ages, as they were expressed more orally. They just appeared written sometime after 1400. The oldest known Valentine text was a song. In 1415, Duke Charles of Orleans wrote it to his wife.
Who is Cupid?
Cupid is often depicted on greeting cards as a naked cherub, shooting arrows of love at unsuspecting lovers. But the Roman god Cupid has his own roots already in Greek mythology, as Eros, the Greek god of love. According to the Greek archaic poets, Eros was a handsome immortal who played with the emotions of gods and men. He encouraged love with golden arrows. It was only in the Hellenistic period that he began to be represented as a mischievous, fat child, as we still know him today.
According to the Greek archaic poets, Eros was a handsome immortal who played with the emotions of gods and men.Photo: Gabriella Clare Marino/Unsplash
Valentine's Day in Slovenia
He is considered a saint in our country according to the old peasant calendar celebrated as a patron of children's health. Farmers liked to recommend their livestock to him, which he was supposed to protect against cattle plague. Valentine's Day, February 14, was not a special holiday in our country, but was adopted from other countries.
In recent years, it has become increasingly popular in our country as well like a holiday for lovers, friends and everyone who loves each other. Valentine is known as a saint and patron almost everywhere in Europe, but in different roles.
