Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th is certainly not a Lovers’ day. If we traced its origins, we can find this in both ancient Roman traditions and early Christian history. Over time, it evolved into the modern celebration of love and romance. Here's a breakdown of its origins:
The Roman Festival – Lupercalia
Initially, before Valentine’s Day was associated with love, the Romans celebrated a festival called Lupercalia from February 13–15. It was a “fertility” festival honouring Faunus, the Roman God of agriculture, and involved rituals that were believed to bring health and fertility. Some rituals even included a matchmaking lottery (typical to our swayamvar), where young men and women were paired.
Saint Valentine – A Christian Martyr
The holiday is named after Saint Valentine, but the exact identity of the real Valentine is unclear. There were multiple early Christian martyrs named Valentine.
The most popular legend says that Saint Valentine of Rome was a priest in the 3rd century who secretly married couples to help young men avoid conscription into the Roman army. Emperor Claudius II forbade marriages because he believed single men made better soldiers. Valentine was eventually caught and executed on February 14th, around 269 AD.
Another version of the legend states that Valentine healed a blind girl, possibly the daughter of his jailer, and sent her a farewell note signed "From your Valentine", a phrase still used today.
The Romantic Connection – Middle Ages & Chaucer
By the Middle Ages, the idea of Valentine’s Day as a day of love gained popularity in Europe. Geoffrey Chaucer, the English poet, wrote a poem in the 14th century connecting the day to courtly love, which was the tradition of expressing admiration and devotion to a beloved. This started the association of Valentine’s Day with romance.
Modern Valentine's Day
By the 17th and 18th centuries, the exchange of love letters became common. In the 19th century, the first mass-produced Valentine’s Day cards appeared. Today, the holiday is widely celebrated with gifts, flowers, chocolates, and romantic gestures.
Is It Just Lovers' Day?
While Valentine's Day is not mainly about romantic love, it has also relevance to include expressions of love between friends, family, and even self-love. In many cultures, people give gifts to friends, teachers, parents, and children, making it a broader celebration of love and affection.
Valentine's Day Around the World
Valentine’s Day is celebrated differently across various cultures:
- United States & Europe: Common traditions include exchanging cards, chocolates, and flowers, along with romantic dinners and special gifts.
- Japan: Women give chocolates to men on February 14th, while men return the gesture on White Day (March 14th).
- South Korea: The holiday is extended over several months, with unique celebrations like Black Day (April 14th) for singles.
- Brazil: Instead of February 14th, Brazilians celebrate Dia dos Namorados (Lovers’ Day) on June 12th, marked by music, dancing, and gift-giving.
- China: The Qixi Festival, celebrated in August, is considered a traditional equivalent of Valentine’s Day, inspired by a romantic legend.
- Finland & Estonia: These countries focus on friendship rather than romance, calling it Friend’s Day.
How is it celebrated in India?
A guy visits a shop to buy cards for his Valentine's day. He asks for a Card, with a message printed, "You are my first and last love - From Your valentine". The shop-guy says, "Yes we do have them". Then the buys says, "Then, give me 10 err 14 of them..."
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