Lupercalia was an ancient pagan festival held each year in Rome on February 15. Although Valentine’s Day shares its name with a martyred Christian saint, some historians believe the holiday is It’s often speculated that Valentine’s Day has its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, and it’s not hard to see why. Lupercalia was observed on February 15, and involved fertility rituals — albeit along with animal sacrifice and ritual whipping. Yet the link between this pagan festival and the Christian feast day that morphed into our modern ode to love and romance is Lupercalia, also known as Lupercal, was a pastoral festival of Ancient Rome observed annually on February 15 to purify the city, promoting health and fertility. [1] . Lupercalia was also known as dies Februatus, after the purification instruments called februa, the basis for the month named Februarius. Lupercalia, ancient Roman fertility festival that was conducted annually on February 15 under the superintendence of a corporation of priests called Luperci. The origins of the festival are obscure. Learn about the history and traditions of Lupercalia in this article. Discover the history of Lupercalia, the ancient Roman fertility and purification festival that some say inspired Valentine's Day. If you’re pondering why Valentine’s Day might feel more ancient and mysterious than a simple celebration of love, here’s a quick answer: Valentine’s Day has roots in the pagan festival of Lupercalia, a Roman event blending romance, fertility, and some quirky traditions. Before Valentine’s Day became a celebration of love, February 14th was linked to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia. Held from February 13th to 15th, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Long before Valentine’s Day was celebrated, an Ancient Roman festival with ominous rituals was held on February 15. Are the two connected? Lupercalia is an ancient fertility Roman festival that was held February 13-15. The festival was held to both promote fertility along with purging the city of evil and illness. Although it was an ancient festival; it was celebrated for many centuries. It is a festival of fertility and prosperity celebrated in Ancient Rome between the 13 th and 15 th of February (a date which holds much importance to me as it is my birthday). In this blog I intend to explain how it is likely tied in with St Valentine's day. Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. It may have had beginnings in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the coming of spring and included fertility rites and other activities, but the origin of the holiday is vague at best. Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, and the rest is this history. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, The Pagan Roots of Valentine’s Day: The Festival of Lupercalia. The Valentine’s Day origin can be traced back to ancient Roman celebrations, specifically the Festival of Lupercalia. This festival, which took place from February 13 to 15, was primarily a celebration of fertility and purification. How many Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year? Answer: Over 1 billion! Which country produces the most roses for Valentine’s Day? Answer: Ecuador. What percentage of Valentine’s Day cards are bought by women? Answer: Around 85%! What’s the most popular Valentine’s Day candy? Answer: Conversation hearts Did You Know? Similar to the modern Valentine's Day holiday, the Roman festival was celebrated in the middle of February and involved feasting and pairing off partners. However, unlike Valentine's Day, it was a bit of a raucous celebration filled with debauchery, blood, and sacrifice. Some say that the history of Valentine’s Day can be traced to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia. Others say it is rooted in the history of Saint Valentine himself. The evidence indicates that the origins of Valentine’s Day are more likely tied to a 14th-century poem by Geoffrey Chaucer than to a 3rd-century Christian saint. There are several theories about the origins of Valentine's Day, but the most popular one traces it back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to mark the arrival of Valentine's Day is celebrated worldwide, but its origins are steeped in mystery and history. Let's explore some fascinating facts about how this day came to be. Ancient Roman Festival: Valentine's Day traces back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held on February 15. It was later replaced by St. Valentine's Day on We might typically associate Valentine's Day with romance, roses and chocolate, but the holiday's history has a lot more to it than meets the eye. From a Roman festival and Christian martyrs to a medieval celebration of spring, we explore the origins of Valentine's Day in more detail Where does the name Valentine come from? Valentine’s Day, also known as St. Valentine’s Day, has a rich history that traces back to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, dedicated to fertility, purification, and love.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |