Valentine’s Day History and some Interesting Facts

As we gear up for Valentine’s Day 2015, do you think Valentine’s Day is only about roses, love notes and gifts? Here are some interesting legends and facts bet you didn’t know about.

The Legend

While the original story about Valentine’s Day is still shrouded in mystery, scholars believe the significant February 14 has both ancient roman and catholic roots.

Saint Valentine – the name behind the Day of Love

According to the Catholic Church, there are at least three different saints under the name of Valentine or Valentinus who were all martyred. One of the story states that, Saint Valentinus was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius believed unmarried and single men made better warriors and hence outlawed marriages for young men. Saint Valentinus held ceremonies for secret marriages and was later prisoned for this act.

His time in prison has different stories. One state that Valentinus was in love with the jailer’s daughter and the other said that he taught a blind girl. But in both the instances, on the eve of his death, he wrote a letter and signed it as “From Your Valentine” which is a common term used by lovers today.

Whatever the story maybe, Valentine was considered a sympathetic, heroic and a romantic figure and so, his day of death, February 14, is considered as Valentine’s Day.

Roman Tradition

Legends also say that Valentine’s Day is celebrated to honor a Roman ritual, Lupercalia. This Pagan festival was a fertility festival where a goat and a dog were sacrificed as a sign of fertility and purification respectively. The sacrificial blood was dipped in the goat’s hide and slapped both on the women and the crop fields. Women welcomed it as they believed it increased their chances of bearing a child the following year.

Interesting fact

• Ever wondered why red roses are gifted on Valentine’sDay? It’s because they were the favorite flowers of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love.

• In modern times, almond is usually associated with Valentine’s Day. Why? Because according to legend, the blind girl who was taught by Valentinus planted an almond tree on the day of his death. Till date, almond tree remains the symbol of love and friendship.

•  It is believed that around the Ides of February, the birds’ mating session commences. Symbolizing this day of romance, Feb 14 is celebrated as Valentine’s Day.

• The phrase “Wearing your heart on your sleeve” has a story associated with it. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names to find out who their Valentine would be. They would then pin the name to their sleeves for a week for everyone to see.