While it’s true that Valentine’s Day is a holiday dedicated to love, the history of its origins is anything but heart-shaped. In modern times, this holiday is a corporate scheme to buy chocolates, flowers, and candy for anyone the heart desires. The real history of Valentine’s Day has a dark past but includes many historical and mythological connotations that one may not be aware of.
Where did Valentine’s Day Originate From?
Valentine’s Day, though often associated with love and romance, has roots in ancient rituals in Rome and pagan connotations. The ancient Roman fertility festival, Lupercalia, is celebrated every February 15. It was dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus, and the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. This festival includes the scarification of animals and fertility rituals in which goat hides dipped in blood were used to slap women and crop fields. This ritual was believed to promote a woman’s fertility.
Who is St. Valentine?
According to History, Saint Valentine—commonly referred to as the saint of romance—was supposedly a priest who secretly performed at weddings for couples in love. St. Valentine went against many government officials to do so, which ultimately led to his arrest. While being imprisoned at a noble’s home, he remarkably healed the captor’s blind daughter, resulting in her conversion to Christianity. Before his tragic execution on February 14, he delivered her a note signed“Your Valentine,” a phrase that has been kept through many centuries.
Who is Cupid?
The Roman god Eros—more commonly known as Cupid—is usually portrayed as a baby with angel wings and a bow and arrow; however, he is surprisingly one of the most powerful gods in Greek mythology.
According to TIME Magazine, Eros is the Greek word for desire. Being the son of Aphrodite—the goddess of love—he would manipulate the hearts of mortals and gods, ultimately causing mayhem. Although his powers seem pointless, love is one of the most dangerous things. It is the reason for many mythological and historical events, such as the Trojan War involving the subduction of Helen.
