3rd century Saint Valentine or 2025 Saint Capitalism? The Valentine’s Day that we are all familiar with did not just magically appear on the calendar one night. Instead, it is very deeply rooted in Roman history. In Roman Empire history, it is believed that Saint Valentine would marry individuals in secret. By the Middle Ages, Valentine’s Day had begun evolving into a day of romance, particularly in England and France. The poet Geoffrey Chaucer is often credited with cementing the connection between Valentine’s Day and love in his 14th-century poem Parliament of Fowls , where he describes the day as a time when birds choose their mates. Feb. 14 — good ol’ Valentine’s Day. The day of love and, for many, expressing that love. Shelves decked out in shades of pink and red. Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates — the de facto gift. Since 2000 and the rise of the internet, more and more people celebrate Valentine’s Day digitally with e-cards, with around 15 million e-Valentine’s Day cards sent in 2010. While it has its roots in Christianity, Valentine’s Day is considered a ‘Hallmark holiday’ by many people today because of its commercialisation, and the focus on In fact, the Valentine’s heart shape itself has no historical significance or, obviously, resemblance to the actual beating organ in our chests. Instead of a symbol of love and emotion, it is arguably a symbol of capitalist dominance, a tool of advertising. Plus, Valentine’s day can cause emotional damage. Valentine’s Day is simply a “capitalist ploy,” said Chiodo. This year, consumers spent an estimated $26 billion on Valentine’s Day. So much for money cannot buy you love However, others have quite an appreciation for the side effects of the capitalization of this holiday. Valentine’s doesn’t have to be just about romantic love, either. While this day is normally seen as a day of romance, we’ve seen a move towards “Galentine’s” day and simply celebrating the love we have for our friends and family. Valentine’s may not have begun as a capitalist construct, but corporate greed has turned it — like many other days — into a financial burden for many. While celebrating Valentine’s Day is a choice, businesses have already instilled a consumerist expectation on the day. On Valentine’s Day, we should celebrate capitalism not only for the prosperity it creates, but for the many ways in which it fosters and validates friendships, enriching the vast array of Originally, Valentine’s day was celebrated in commemoration of the Christian Martyr, Valentine. As the Patron Saint of epileptics and beekeepers, the official explanation given for this catholic canonization is the persecution he endured at the hands of Claudius II Gothicus. 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. I also feel like the more recently popularized Galentines Day/Singles Awareness Day have been generally well received in lieu of Valentine’s Day, which is no problem for me (hey, love on your friends and community and love on your single self!) people have no problem treating single Valentine’s Day as a “treat yourself” capitalist day Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, bringing about either a warmhearted appreciation for loved ones or the bitter sentiments of singleness. Receiving chocolate or flowers from your significant other, your gals, or your pals is certainly uplifting, especially considering that the pressure to purchase a thoughtful gift builds up throughout the week beforehand. Valentine’s may not have begun as a capitalist construct, but corporate greed has turned it — like many other days — into a financial burden for many. While celebrating Valentine’s Day is a choice, businesses have already instilled a consumerist expectation on the day. Is Valentine’s Day outdated? Let’s go back to the beginning. The exact history of this day is quite cloudy, but can be traced back to the third century when St. Valentine (the name of one or two Christian martyrs) died. According to legend, St. Valentine was a priest who was marrying Christian couples in secret. Valentine's Day is considered by some to be a Hallmark holiday due to its commercialization. [87] In the modern era, the Lutheran Church and Anglican Church each have a service on Saint Valentine's Day (the Feast of Saint Valentine), which includes the optional rite of the renewal of marriage vows. Going half and half on a Valentine's day home made dinner. We went to separate grocery stores after work and made chicken pesto pasta and one enormous ribeye steak that we split. The Duke of Orleans, can be considered as another personality whose courtly love acts helped hurl Valentine’s Day into prominence. Charles’ poem is also considered the oldest piece of writing about valentine still intact to this day. In 1913 the commercialisation of Valentine’s Day began, as Hallmark produced their first Valentine’s day cards. The industry then quickly took off. In the mid-80’s the chocolate, flowers, and jewellery industries got involved, and by 2009 the US made approximately £9.2 billion in Valentine’s Day retail. Valentine’s Day can be that much-needed reminder to cherish and celebrate your relationship. Plus, let’s not forget the happy feels. Celebrating love, in any form, can be a major mood booster.
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