Beaus and Eros - The History of St. Valentine's Day

Love is a many splendored thing. It fills us with hope and clouds our judgment with doubt. It can lift us to new heights or send us reeling into depressing depths. How ever it plays out, there is one day of the year when it is celebrated across the world: Valentine’s Day.

On February 14^th all across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom lovers will exchange tokens of the undying affection. This holiday is bitter sweet as those who have loved and lost may not find solace in the pink and red aisle at the grocery store. But for those still entwined in loves embrace, this is a day to show their loved one just how much they mean to them-by buying them a card or a new car.

Who is this St. Valentine and why do we celebrate his legacy in the middle of the coldest month of the year? The answer lies in antiquity and is shrouded in legend.

St. Valentine, as recognized by the Catholic Church, has many legends surrounding his romantic past. It has been said that he was a priest in Rome during the third century performing marriages while they were illegal according to a decree of Emperor Claudius II.

Another legend says that while he was imprisoned he fell in love with the jailors daughter who visited him during his sentence. It is said that he wrote to her just before his death and signed his letter “from your Valentine”…sound familiar?

St. Valentine had a romantic past to be sure, but why do we celebrate his romantic exploits in the dead of winter?

Some claim that we celebrate St. Valentine in February to commemorate the date of his death in 270AD. Others say that it was the Christian church’s effort to “Christianize” the pagan festival of Lupercalia which began on February 15^th. During the Middle Ages, it was celebrated on February 14^th as this was thought to be the beginning of the mating season for birds-a fitting day if there ever was.

In recent history, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated with a powerful token of appreciation: the greeting card. In the1840’s, Esther A. Howland-the “Mother of the Valentine” begin mass producing elaborately designed greeting cards made of lace and ribbon. The tradition has grown to the point where an estimated one billion cards are sent on Valentine’s Day making it the second busiest greeting card day of the year after Christmas.

When Cupid’s arrow strikes true it is a wonderful feeling. It is an experience that is known cross-culturally throughout the world. How ever you show your affection, Valentine’s Day is a global holiday that celebrates the best in human nature.