Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th, is a time-honored tradition that has transcended centuries, bringing joy and romance to people around the world. Let's embark on a journey through the history and traditions of this cherished holiday.
The Origins
The origins of Valentine's Day can be traced back to ancient Rome, where the festival of Februa (Lupercalia) was celebrated in mid-February. This lovely pagan celebration honored the coming of spring and fertility, and included rituals to pair young men and women. With time, the holiday evolved to embrace the spirit of love and romance in different cultures.
No one knows the exact origin of Lupercalia, but it has been traced back as far as the 6th century B.C.
Romulus and Remus
According to Roman legend, the ancient King Amulius ordered Romulus and Remus—his twin nephews and founders of Rome—to be thrown into the Tiber River to drown in retribution for their mother’s broken vow of celibacy.
A servant took pity on them, however, and placed them inside a basket on the river instead. The river-god carried the basket and the brothers downriver to a wild fig tree where it became caught in the branches. The brothers were then rescued and cared for by a she-wolf in a den at the base of Palatine Hill where Rome was founded.
Lupercalia Rituals
The festival involved the sacrifice of male goats and a dog by Roman priests known as Luperci. The blood of the animals was then smeared on the foreheads of the priests and removed with milk-soaked wool.
Feast of Lupercal
After the ritual sacrifice, feasting commenced, and the Luperci would run naked or nearly naked around Palatine, striking women with strips of goat hide. Men also randomly chose a woman's name from a jar to be coupled with for the festival's duration. They ate, danced and enjoyed the festivities. Often, the couple stayed together until the following year’s festival. Many fell in love and married.
Evolution of the Festival
Over time, nakedness during Lupercalia lost popularity. And the festival became more restrained, with clothed women being whipped on their hands by fully clothed men. The tradition of choosing couples and whipping lost popularity afterwards, and the festival became more chaste. Although there are a lot of communities in Europe, who still follow and celebrate this festival.
Julius Caesar and Lupercalia
In Plutarch's "Life of Julius Caesar," Caesar famously refuses a golden crown presented to him by Mark Antony during the feast of Lupercalia.
The Patron Saint
One popular legend revolves around Saint Valentine, a Roman priest who defied Emperor Claudius II's decree forbidding young men to marry, believing that single men made better soldiers. Saint Valentine continued to perform marriages in secret, but when his actions were discovered, he was sentenced to death. During his imprisonment, he is said to have healed the jailer's daughter and left her a note signed "From your Valentine," thus inspiring the tradition of sending love notes on this day.
Modern-Day Celebrations
Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated in various ways around the world. It's a day to express love and affection to not only romantic partners, but also family and friends. Common traditions include exchanging cards, jewelry, flowers, and chocolates, as well as romantic dinners and thoughtful gestures to show appreciation for loved ones.
Beyond Romantic Love
While Valentine's Day is often associated with romantic love, it's also a day to celebrate all forms of love. It's an opportunity to express gratitude to friends, family members, teachers, and even colleagues. Acts of kindness and appreciation can make this day special for everyone, regardless of their relationship status.
Embracing Love Every Day
As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let's remember that love is not confined to a single day. It's a force that enriches our lives every day, through kindness, compassion, and meaningful connections. Whether it's through a heartfelt gesture or a simple act of kindness, let's strive to spread love and joy beyond this special day.
How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Share your favorite traditions and memories on our Instagram Page!
And we are wishing you a month filled with love and happiness by giving you big discounts, up to 40% on all jewelry, in our FIRST month of soft opening!
Happy Valentine's Month, we love you!