The History of Valentine’s Day Traditions
Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14, has a long and varied history rooted in both ancient and medieval traditions. Over centuries, customs surrounding the holiday have evolved, blending elements of Roman festivals, Christian martyrdom, and courtly love.
Ancient Roman Origins
Lupercalia, Andrea Camassei, oil painting, 1635.
One of the earliest links to Valentine’s Day is the Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated from February 13 to 15. This fertility festival involved rituals to ward off evil spirits and encourage health and prosperity. Some scholars believe that the Catholic Church later Christianized Lupercalia, associating it with Saint Valentine (Newman, 1995).
The Legend of Saint Valentine
Multiple legends exist about Saint Valentine, but the most widely accepted story suggests that he was a priest in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Valentine allegedly performed secret marriages for soldiers who were forbidden to wed, leading to his execution on February 14 around 269 AD. Pope Gelasius I later established the Feast of Saint Valentine in 496 AD (Oruch, 1981).
Medieval Courtly Love Traditions
By the Middle Ages, Valentine’s Day had become linked with romantic love. Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century poem Parlement of Foules referenced February 14 as a day for birds to choose their mates, reinforcing its romantic significance. During this period, noblemen and women exchanged love notes and tokens, a practice that evolved into modern Valentine’s cards (Pollard, 2008).
Esther Howland, Valentine card, “Affection”, ca. 1870s.
The Rise of Commercial Celebrations
By the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine’s Day had become widely recognized in England and the United States. Mass-produced greeting cards, flowers, and chocolates became standard gifts. Esther Howland, an American entrepreneur, popularized commercial Valentine’s cards in the 1840s, leading to the booming greeting card industry seen today (Schmidt, 1993).
Modern-Day Traditions
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide with various customs. In Japan, women traditionally give chocolates to men, while in Finland, the holiday focuses on friendship rather than romance. Meanwhile, the commercialization of the holiday continues to grow, with billions spent annually on gifts and experiences (Smith, 2020).
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day has transformed from an ancient festival into a global celebration of love and affection. Whether through historical rituals, medieval poetry, or contemporary commerce, its traditions continue to evolve while retaining their core message of appreciation and devotion.
References
Newman, P. (1995). The History of Lupercalia and its Influence on Modern Celebrations. Oxford University Press.
Oruch, J. J. (1981). St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February. Speculum, 56(3), 534-565.
Pollard, A. (2008). Courtly Love in the Middle Ages: A Cultural History. Cambridge University Press.
Schmidt, L. (1993). The Origins of Modern Valentine’s Day Cards. Harvard Press.
Smith, R. (2020). The Globalization of Valentine’s Day: A Commercial Perspective. Business Journal of Cultural Tren