How did this get started??? With the stationery companies? The candy
companies? The florists? Well, I’m sure
they have all helped to keep this day alive and well. However, there are many different thoughts on the where and when.
Some historians lean toward the Roman festival of Lupercalia
(13-15 February) being the origins of our heart day.
The
purpose of this festival was to protect the herds, flocks and crops, avert evil
spirits, purify the city and release health and fertility. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for
fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then remove the goat’s hide,
cut it into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the
streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide.
Well, whatever worked …
So the next thing I found about the beginnings of Valentine’s
Day is a reference to one of least three different Christian saints named
Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were killed.
1: Valentine,
a priest in the 3rd century, defied Claudius II and performed
marriages for young soldiers in secret. Claudius thought single men made the
best soldiers. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that
he be put to death.
2: Valentine
was killed for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons.
3: An imprisoned Valentine actually sent the
first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young
girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement.
Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your
Valentine”.
Others think that the 14th century poet, Chaucer
was responsible for Valentine’s Day with his poem “The Parlement of Foules”. As far as I can tell it’s a poem about birds
(maybe people) choosing their mates.
By the 18th-century it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their affection for each
other by exchanging gifts of flowers, confections, and notes. Mass production
of Valentine gifts became popular in the 19th century. Today in our technology minded world you can send notes of love via text or email.
Still, regardless of your feelings on the commercialization,
it’s as good a day as any to remind someone you love them.
Take care.
According to the guide at the Chocolate Farm, Mr. Hershey and Mr. Hallmark sat down and made up the "holiday". Cynic that I am, this one sound more plausible.
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