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Find out about the meaning and history of Valentine’s Day, from the ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia that welcomed spring to the card-giving customs of Victorian England. Saint Valentine, Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. Given their similarities, it has been suggested that the holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. [3][4] The origin of Valentine’s Day is a rich tapestry of history, mythology, and cultural evolution. From the legend of Saint Valentine and the ancient festival of Lupercalia to the influence of Geoffrey Chaucer and the rise of commercialized celebrations, February 14th has become a day dedicated to love and affection. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on February 14 th, but how exactly did this loved-up holiday come about? If, like many other people, the only thing you know is that it’s associated somehow with a mysterious Saint Valentine, there’s plenty more you must know. St. Valentine, a name that is synonymous with love and romance across the globe, lived at a time when the Roman Empire was at its peak. He is often best remembered for the act of marrying couples in secret defiance of the Roman Emperor's bans. The ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia offers the earliest potential origin of Valentine’s Day. Dating back to longstanding ancient pastoral traditions, Lupercalia was a pagan fertility festival dedicated to Faunus , the Roman god of agriculture. Valentine's Day always falls on February 14, meaning that the day of the week varies year on year. In 2025, Valentine's Day will fall on a Friday for the first time since 2020. Where did it come The Valentine’s Day origin is far more complex than the commercialized holiday we know today. Its journey through time—from ancient Roman fertility festivals to its association with Christian martyrs and medieval poets—has shaped the way it is celebrated globally. St. Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia. What are the historical origins and meaning of The History of Valentine's Day, and Why We Celebrate Valentine’s Day may be associated with romance, but the history of the holiday isn’t exactly lovey-dovey. Here are the facts you may not know—plus, fun ideas for Valentine's Day . Whether you love Valentine's Day or hate it, one thing is clear: The holiday goes way back. The Catholic Church doesn’t recognize St. Valentine’s Day on its calendar anymore, but people throughout the world still celebrate the day. CHANGING TRADITIONS. Valentine’s Day traditions have evolved a lot over the years. For example, in the Middle Ages—which lasted from the 5th to 15th centuries in Europe—people started exchanging History of St.Valentine Day. Valentine’s day week is a widely recognized festival of romance. However, it has a very grave history that accompanies it. The valentine’s day significance lies in a few legends of Middle Age Rome. Though these legends vary slightly from each other, they all mention one central character on whom they are based. Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. But the origins of this festival of candy and cupids are actually dark, bloody — and a bit muddled. By the early 1910s, an American company that would one day become Hallmark began distributing its more official "Valentine's Day cards." The rest, as they say, is history. Universal Images Group / Getty Images 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 In summary: Valentine’s Day is a celebration full of interesting history and customs. From its pagan roots to its Christianization and modern-day celebrations, Valentine’s Day has evolved into a day dedicated to expressing love and affection to those we care about. Saint Valentine is the name of one or two legendary Christian martyrs whose lives seem to have a historical basis. Celebrated on February 14, Valentine is venerated as the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers. Valentine's Day has quite the history. Learn about why we celebrate Valentine's Day, the meaning of the holiday, when Valentine's Day is this year, why Valentine's Day is on February 14, and more. Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, and the rest is this history. New strain in Calif. Get the USA TODAY app Start the day smarter ☀️ 🐍Year of the Snake
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