What is the Real Story Behind Valentine's Day?
The Ancient Histories of Valentine's Day
In the 3rd century, Valentine's Day was celebrated in the Roman Empire to honor the Christian martyr St. Valentine. It was a time of love and fertility, and pagan rituals were held in his honor. It is believed that the holiday evolved from the Lupercalia festival, a Roman fertility celebration. During the festival, young men and women would draw names from a jar to find their partner for the festival. The couple would then be "engaged" to each other for the duration of the festival.
The Decline of Valentine's Day
In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as St. Valentine's Day. This was in an effort to Christianize the pagan festival and remove the focus from fertility. The holiday began to decline in popularity during the Middle Ages, as the Church sought to minimize the celebration of love and romance. Despite this, the holiday still held some significance and was associated with romance and courting.
Valentine's Day Reemerges
In the 14th century, Valentine's Day began to reemerge as a popular holiday. It became associated with courtly love, which was a type of idealized love between a knight and his lady. The tradition of sending love notes and cards also began to become popular during this time. By the 18th century, Valentine's Day had become a full-blown celebration with elaborate cards and gifts.
Valentine's Day Today
Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world as a day of love and romance. From sending cards and gifts to simply spending time together, couples around the world mark the day with special activities. The holiday has become more commercialized in recent years, but it continues to be a day to express our love for one another.
Conclusion
Valentine's Day has a long and interesting history. From its humble beginnings as a pagan fertility festival to its current status as a global celebration of love and romance, the holiday has come a long way. It continues to be a day to express our love for one another and to celebrate the joys of relationships.
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