The Truth Behind Saint Valentine’s Day

The Truth Behind Saint Valentine’s Day

The history of Saint Valentine’s Day is a blend of ancient Roman ritual, Christian martyrdom, and medieval poetry. Nowadays it’s all about heart-shaped boxes and romantic dinners, but its origins are significantly more mysterious, and rather dark.

The Legends of Saint Valentine

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. The most popular legend dates back to the 3rd century AD during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II.

• The Secret Weddings: Emperor Claudius believed that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young men. A priest named Valentine defied the decree and continued to perform marriages in secret. When discovered, he was sentenced to death.

• The "First" Valentine: Another story suggests that while in prison, Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s daughter (or healed her blindness). Before his execution on 14th February, he allegedly wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine".

From Lupercalia to Saint Valentine

Some historians believe the Christian Church placed Valentine’s feast day in mid-February to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of Lupercalia.

• Lupercalia (Feb 13–15): An ancient Roman fertility festival dedicated to Faunus (the god of agriculture) and the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. It involved rituals meant to bring fertility to women and the city.

• The Shift: In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I abolished Lupercalia and officially declared 14th February as Saint Valentine's Day. At this stage, however, the day was a somber feast day of remembrance rather than a celebration of love.

Chaucer: the “Romantic” author

It wasn't until the Middle Ages that Valentine’s Day became linked to romance. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer is often credited with this idea. In his 1382 poem Parlement of Foules, he wrote:

"For this was on Seynt Valentynes day, Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate."

During this period, Europeans believed that the mating season for birds began on February 14, which naturally led to the day being associated with "lovebirds" and romantic courtly love.

What does Saint Valentine mean for you now?