2-13-2026 5:22pm

Origins Of Valentine’s Day

John Williams Editor

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Upsplash

Valentine's Day originated from a blend of ancient Roman fertility rituals and Christian martyrology. While rooted in the mid-February festival of Lupercalia, it was adapted by the church to honor St. Valentine. The day became synonymous with romantic love in the Middle Ages through the writings of poets like Geoffrey Chaucer. Key Origins and Evolution

Lupercalia (Ancient Rome): A mid-February festival dedicated to fertility, involving rituals that paired young men and women.
St. Valentine (Christian Tradition): Pope Gelasius I, in the 5th century, replaced the pagan festival with a day commemorating Saint Valentine, a martyr from the 3rd century.
The Legend of Valentine: Legends suggest Valentine was a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II by marrying couples in secret to spare men from war. Another tale claims he wrote a letter to his jailer's daughter signed "From your Valentine".
Medieval Romance: By the 14th century, the day became linked with love, courtship, and, according to Chaucer, the mating season of birds.
Modern Traditions: The 19th-century Industrial Revolution popularized the mass production of cards and gifts.

Though often cited as a direct replacement for Lupercalia, some scholars suggest the connection between the pagan festival and St. Valentine is a later, less-supported historical claim, with the romanticization developing much later in the Middle Ages. (A Variety of Sources)