The origins of this celebration can be traced back to the Roman period when a holiday was observed on the 14th February to honour Juno, the Queen of Roman gods and goddesses, she was also seen as the goddess of women and marriage.
On the following, the Feast of Lupercalia would begin. During this festival the custom to bring boys and girls together who were usually strictly separated was followed. Girls names were written on slips of paper which were then placed in a jar. He boys would then draw from the jar to choose the girl.
Valentine was a priest who secretly married couples when Emperor Claudius II had cancelled all engagements and marriages, as he was convinced that men were not joining the army because they did not want to leave their wives and families.
When his defiance was discovered, he was beaten and put to death on 14th February, c.270AD. After his death he was named a Saint.
Around 498AD Pope Galasius declared 14th February as St. Valentine’s Day to honour the martyr and to end the pagan celebrations of the Feast of Lupercalia.
Valentine’s Cards, it is thought that this tradition was initiated by Charles, Duke of Orleans in 1415. He had been captured at the Battle of Agincourt and wrote a poem to his wife whilst imprisoned in the Tower of London
One legend regarding valentine roses is that of a beautiful maiden called Rodanthe who was pursued by a number of suitors. They broke the door of her house, which enraged the goddess Diana. She then turned Rodanthe into a flower and the suitors into thorns.
The symbol of the heart pierced by cupid’s arrow represents a vulnerable heart which means, willing to take the risk of being rejected, but hoping for acceptance. In the 12th century the function of the heart was not understood. However it was noted that the heart would beat faster during certain emotions, such as excitement. Poets helped to establish the connection between the heart and the emotion of love.
Cupid in Roman mythology is described as the son of Venus, the goddess of love. He is said to have had a bow with a quiver of arrows and those hit by one of his arrows would not die but fall in love.
Article first published in PastSearch Newsletter Issue 26, February 2015