Valentines Day - A Celebration Of Love.

When asking how did St Valentines day originate? There are a few opinions which vary greatly on this subject. But this version of events seems the most likely to me, and the one which I choose to believe.

Some have it that it all started with a Roman priest, St Valentine, who on refusing to give up Christianity, was martyred. Before he died on February 14th, 269 A.D, he left a goodbye note to his friend, the prison guards daughter who had become his very good ally during his time in prison, and he signed it 'From your Valentine'.

That day just happened to be a day that had been designated 'love lottery day', a day to honour Juno, the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses, who was also known as the goddess of women, and marriages. Legend also has it that St Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius, and St Valentine was thrown in prison for defying Claudius's new ruling. Emperor Claudius forbade men marrying, and from getting engaged, so they would be free to join his army, and St Valentine being a priest, believed in the sanctity of marriage and of free will and continued to marry couples after the ban.

After his imprisonment, many young people went to the jail to visit him. They threw up notes and flowers to his window. They wanted him to know that they believed in love, as he did. Claudius was a hated leader because of his unfair ban on marriage, implemented just to further his armies' number.

Later in 496 A.D Pope Gelasius then made February 14th a day that St. Valentines name should be remembered, and honoured. From that time on February 14th became the date for poems, gifts and cards to be exchanged. Hence St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. It became a big occasion, and there would be special events set up such as huge parties, and balls. Lovers would send flowers,simple gifts and home made Valentine cards.

The love lottery was held on the day of the Roman festival of Lupercalia. This day was dedicated to the god Lupercus for 800 years. There would be a lottery and a young man would pick the name of a young maiden, from a jar, and the woman would then become his sexual companion for one year.

Then in the reign of Pope Gelasius he changed the custom as he found it so distasteful, and he made St Valentine the designated Saint instead of Lupercus, and also changed the custom to both men and woman choosing a name, but this time it would be the name of a saint and not a partner, and they would then emulate that Saint for one year.

Tradition still being a day of love, and handwritten notes were sent to the woman that the man admired, and they would sign their name to the note. -

History has it that an American woman, Esther Howland was the very first person to send Valentines cards, and a card sent in the 1400's is now preserved in the British Museum. Early Valentine's cards were delightful and very personal. Being made from satin ribbons and delicate lace. I would love to receive a card like that, and many cottage industries cater for the individual who likes to give something a bit more special than just the mass produced variety on Valentine's Day. ~

The commercialisation of Valentines day began in the 1800's, and has grown over the years into what it is today. Because of its unconfirmed origins, the Catholic church dropped St Valentines day from the Roman calendar, reserving Saints days only for the Saints with clear cut evidence of their origins and existence.

Think of Love and I will conjure up a picture in my head of Cupid who has always played such a large part in love and matchmaking. Half boy, half Angel, Cupid shoots his unsuspecting victims through the heart with his arrow, and according to mythology, whoever receives the arrow falls deeply in love.

To the Ancient Greeks, Cupid was known as Eros who was son of Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty. To the Romans , he was Cupid, son of Venus, the goddess of love.

White Doves are also associated with love on Valentine's Day. The dove is faithful to one partner their whole life and remains by their mates side until death. This is a rare thing in the animal world and doves are highly reveered for their loyalty and beauty and they are a symbol of love and peace. Doves were the favourite birds of Venus, mother of Cupid. So it comes full circle.

For these reasons they have come to represent Love and are very much part and parcel of the vision of the celebration of Valentines Day, and they are very much intertwined with the wedding event. Doves represent unity and fidelity and white doves are often released into the sky within the celebration of marriage. The dove is symbolic of celebration, new beginnings, love, peace and the Holy Spirit. The release of doves is an age old tradition which holds high respect within the marriage ceremony and also at funerals, where the releasing of doves represents ascension of the spirit.

I think the sending of anonymous Valentines cards seems to have died off a bit. Maybe it still goes on in schools; maybe it's mainly for the young. I don't know. So whether 'Man or Myth', I think I would like to believe this version of events. It all seems to add up nicely, and it does make for a lovely tale.

It has been very interesting to discover the origins of St Valentine's day and it has made it all the more poignant for me. So when I am celebrating Valentines day next year, I will be thinking a little bit more about how it all came about. It is a very special day to share with the one you love, and I think this day just reminds us of how lucky we are to have found that special someone in our lives.-

Love is transient, love is all, grasp it with both hands, and never let it go. -

~*Happy Valentines Day*~





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