Does anyone else ask themselves this question every February or is it just me?
I feel like other holidays in the year have more of a cultural distinction (not to mention any religious importance).
These first few holidays during the year, though, always have me wondering why we celebrate them as they are now…which is fine! But, it’s always another year of “okay let’s theme another night out with friends or significant others”.
I’m never against a reason to throw or attend a party, but why do these days have such a significant expectation?
Why is this the day that I’m expected to go on a date to celebrate my love for my partner, when I want to celebrate that day not only every day, but when our schedules allow?
Let’s dive in!
Origins of Valentine’s Day
I personally find it ironic how the holiday started given its origins, which are far from romantic.
What we know from multiple legends is this began in Ancient Rome around the festival of Lupercalia.
Lupercalia was a festival to promote health and fertility throughout the year, and celebrated on or around February 15th. Fertility and romance? Okay, I see the connection.
Also to note, animal sacrifices were very common for this holiday.
How is this connected to Valentine’s Day? We’ve got a few claims to support this idea. One claim states how two Catholic men in the 3rd century, both named Valentine, were martyred on February 14th. This in turn became the feast day of St. Valentine’s Day, to honor these two martyrs.
The poet Geofrey Chauser then becomes the first person in recorded history to associate romance with this feast day in February. In his poem, Parlament of Foules, Chaucer says,
"For this was on Saint Valentine's Day
When every bird comes there to choose his match
Of every kind that men may think of
And that so huge a noise they began to make
That earth and air and tree and every lake
Was so full, that not easily was there space
For me to stand—so full was all the place."
Did he intend for this to be on the exact St. Valentine’s Day? Potentially! With the change of calendars from Julian to Gregorian, the date was most likely at a different time when bird’s were mating, but has since shifted to Feb 14th.
History of Modern Valentine’s Day
This part is pretty simple.
Shakespeare took to romanticizing Valentine’s Day just like Chauser, and it really caught on.
After that, the inherent capitalistic spirit of the Industrial Revolution took hold of Valentine’s Day with pre-made cards. And, as soon as Hallmark began producing them en masse, the rest is a tale as old as time.
Why Is Valentine’s Day So Important?
So why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day? Why is it so important? Well, it’s a day that we can set aside for the ones we love (significant partner, family, friends) to really tell them how important they are to us.
Why? Well, why not? I think back to the tales of the two Valentine’s martyrs. They were so impassioned, and it reminds me of how impassioned I can be for the ones I loved.
Plus, it always means the BEST chocolate is on sale the very next day.
