Valentine's Day History

Researching Valentines Day history will reveal some interesting facts about a holiday hailed around the world as a celebration for lovers. The history of Valentine's day is rich with fact, fiction, folklore and sentimentality. Surprisingly, the celebration traditionally observed on February 14th originally had nothing to do with love, but rather martyrdom. Named for two early Christian martyrs, St. Valentine of Rome and a bishop by the same name, St. Valentine of Terni, the holiday was void of romanticism until the fourteenth century. According to Valentines Day history, English poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem entitled Parliament of Foules (Parliament of Fowls) in 1412, which referenced seynt Volantynys day, and made romance its focus. The poem about love birds supposedly commemorated the first year King Richard II of England and Anne of Bohemia were engaged to be married. Prior to Chaucer's work, the courts of Paris established a High Court of Love, which tried cases involving violence, infidelity, and crimes of passion perpetuated against females. Years later, London continued to lead the world in celebrating what has become the modern era Valentine's Day. The first written expression was perhaps a parting note penned by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife just prior to his capture at the Battle of Agincort in 1415.



The history of Valentine's day also claims that some modern customs of giving gifts and sweets grew out of an ancient Roman festival celebrated on February 15th, called Lupercalia. The festival extolled fertility and romance, but was abolished and converted into a Christian observance by Roman Catholic Pope Gelasius I, who proclaimed February 14th as Valentine's Day in the late 5th century; no doubt to purge the holiday from its pagan trappings. Romantic love is even recorded in the Bible in the Song of Solomon, a poetic exchange between King Solomon and an elusive lover. The Song has been interpreted to depict a type of Christ's intimate relationship with the Church, which is often called the Bride. "The song of songs, which is Solomon's. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee" (Song of Solomon 1:1-3). "Husbands, so love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25).



The history of Valentine's Day also reveals that the British practice of sending greetings to sweethearts caught on in America through the efforts of one young woman. Around 1848, Esther Howland, the daughter of a Worcester, Massachusetts stationer, came up with the bright idea of duplicating Valentine cards in large quantities. Ms. Howland persuaded her father to mass produce Valentine cards similar to one she had received from an English admirer. The traditional red hearts and lace trimmings mimicked by Ms. Howard have since become the pattern for countless cards. Since Esther Howland's innovative move to produce Valentine cards en masse, over one billion love notes have been mailed annually all over the world.



Valentines Day history includes early Medieval folklore claims that one of the St. Valentines was arrested and subsequently executed for defying an order from Roman Emperor Claudius II which forbade young soldiers from marrying. It is believed that the Emperor felt that marriage detracted from a soldiers ability to focus on military duties. Legend has it that St. Valentine was also in love with the jailer's daughter and left her a parting love note just prior to being executed, which was signed, from your Valentine. Folklore aside, this lover's celebration in some form or the other, is observed annually all over the world. In North America, particularly the United States, and in France and Great Britain, Valentine cards, flowers and chocolates are traditionally shared between lovers on February 14th. The Danes and Norwegians are also avid celebrants, choosing also to observe February 14th as a time for lovers to send cards and red roses, or enjoy an intimate dinner. But in Romania, February 24th marks an annual observance for loving couples, called Dragobete. Valentines Day history also records Ystavanpaiva, a Finnish holiday translated Friends Day, which is more platonic and includes sharing cards and gifts between best buddies, instead of intimate couples. Sizzling South American countries like Brazil embrace a similar sweetheart's date, called Dia dos Namorados, or Day of the Enamored. Dia dos Namorados is observed on June 12th when couples in love jubilantly celebrate with cards, chocolates, and flowers. Loyal to the annual Carnival holiday observed on or about February 15th, Brazilians prefer to set aside the June 12th date for lovers.



While the history of Valentine's Day clearly demonstrates its global popularity, some sectors find the holiday offensive on two counts: commercialism and its pagan roots. Selling hearts and flowers is big business and many feel that consumerism has corrupted an otherwise noble celebration of love. Anti-Valentinists complain that candy companies, florists, jewelers, and retailers from nearly every market have over-commercialized February 14th and reduced it to the second most lucrative shopping season in the year, next to Christmas. Industries banking on higher consumer buying around February 14th pull out all the stops when it comes to marketing merchandise to lovers. Months before February, retailers stock shelves with ample merchandise: from cards, chocolates, balloons, and plastic flowers; to underwear, cologne, bedding, and teddy bears emblazoned with hearts, cupids and dollar signs. Figures indicate that Valentine consumers spend over $17 billion annually in gifts, dining out, and flowers. Chocolate sales topped $320 million in 2007 and over 217 million red roses were sold nationwide in the same year. The trend toward consumerism may necessitate re-writing the history of Valentine's Day to chronicle its fall from grace as an event for lovers to an annual opportunity for Wall Street to revel in increased net profits.