In today's issue
The history of valentine's day
So, who began celebrating this day? The special day, and its patron saint, is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance.
- Compiled by Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 February 13, 2007
- Image Credit: Reuters
- It's estimated that more than one billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year making it the second largest card-selling holiday of the year after Christmas.
So, who began celebrating this day? The special day, and its patron saint, is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance
It's estimated that more than one billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year making it the second largest card-selling holiday of the year after Christmas.
But how much do we really know about the day or its patron saint?
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men.
Valentine, realising the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Why February 14?
By the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial, which probably occurred around 270 AD, others claim the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to Christianise celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival.
Lottery system
In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors.
Lupercalia, which began on February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St Valentine's Day around 498 AD. The Roman lottery system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed.
Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February should be a day for romance.
Oldest Valentine
The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.
The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.
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