The history of valentines day

Valentine's Day is observed on February 14th each year, and is a day dedicated to celebrating love and romance. The holiday has roots in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the start of spring with fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery.

Lupercalia

Lupercalia is an ancient Roman festival that was held in mid-February to honour Lupercus, because he assisted the she-wolf who nursed the twin founders of Rome (Romulus and Remus). The festival was celebrated with sacrifices of goats for their flesh and milk which they used in rituals, men would run through the streets of Rome, striking women with whips made of goat hide. This was thought to bring good luck and fertility to those who participated. Young priests would also run almost naked, slapping any bystanders they met with thongs cut from animals that had been sacrificed earlier. A smack from one of these thongs was supposed to cure sterility! Today, the celebration of Lupercalia is often commemorated with a dinner, a bonfire, and the exchange of cards or small gifts among friends.

I know you’re probably wondering.. so,

How did we get to Valentine’s Day?

Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15th each year. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I, replaced Lupercalia with Valentine's Day to honor St. Valentine and to celebrate the Christian ideals of love and romance. Saint Valentine, was a Catholic priest who was martyred in the 3rd century. The celebration was later moved to February 14th and eventually became known as Valentine's Day.

Christian martyr St. Valentine, was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry. Over time, the holiday has evolved to become a celebration of romantic love.