Ah, February, the month of love
dedicated to St. Valentine. Yet Valentine's story is mired in myth and legend.
No one knows the definitive background of this romantic Saint, but we do know
he existed – and inspired long ago.
What we do know isn't much. Archaeologists
have uncovered a tomb in the Old Roman catacombs dedicated to the Saint. In 496
A.D., 14 February was declared a day of honor to the Saint by Pope Gelassius.
There are three prevailing myths
surrounding Valentine. The first one dates back to when Claudius II was Emperor
of Rome, in the 3rd Century A.D. (270 A.D., to be exact) Claudius
determined single men made better soldiers and forbid the Roman soldiers to
marry. Valentine, a priest, defied Claudius and married the soldiers. When
Claudius found out what Valentine was doing, he had him put to death.
The second myth, which could easily
blend into the first, had Valentine in jail. (Probably awaiting his fate that
Claudius had decreed) While in
prison, Valentine fell in love with the jailor's daughter. Before he was put to
death, he sent her a letter and signed it, "From Your Valentine,"
thus, staring an expression that you can still find on Valentine cards today.
The third myth, which again, could
easily blend into the first and second, making this all one myth, involves the
pagan Roman celebration called Lupercalia. The Romans considered February the
start of spring and with the onset of spring, they found it a time for
purification. Houses were cleaned and swept. Salt and wheat were sprinkled
throughout their home as part of their custom of purification. Lupercalia began
on the Ides of February (15 February) and dedicated to the Roman god of
fertility as well as the Roman founders of Romulus and Remus.
The church had a habit of taking pagan
Roman celebrations and fitting them into the calendar to make them more
"politically correct." It was Pope Gelassius who outlawed Lupercalia,
and it was believe St. Valentine's feast day replaced it in order to
"Christianize" the pagan ritual.
While the official reason has been lost
to history, I don't see why all three of these myths can't be melded together
to found the basis of the day we celebrate now.
Interestingly, different cultures
nowadays have different takes on the 14th of February. In the
Western world, cards, flowers, and chocolates are traditional gifts. In
Finland, it's known as Friend's Day and it extends to friends as well as loved
one.
In Turkey, the day is known as
Sweetheart's Day. Interesting since most of Turkey follows Islam. In most Asian
countries, notably Japan, the only recognition of St. Valentine's Day is a
custom where only the women give men chocolate. There is a reply day for the
men to return the favor to the women.
Countries like India, Saudi Arabia, and
Pakistan try to have the holiday banned. At a minimum, the governments in those
countries discourage participation, but there is a thriving black market of
roses and wrapping paper.
Information taken from Online Sources
including Wikipedia.
Question for you: Do you exchange Valentines? What do you like to give for Valentines? What do you do for the Holiday?
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