The History of Valentine's Day

Image courtesy of Brooke Birckhead

Valentine's Day is typically filled with flowers, candy and gifts shared among loved ones, whether they be family or friends.

However, few people know the true origins of this international holiday.

According to the History Channel article "History of Valentine's Day," the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. One frequently mentioned story states that during the third century, Emperor Claudius II Gothicus decided that single men made better warriors than those with wives and families.

He then banned marriage for young men. St. Valentine, believing this new law was unjust, performed marriages for young couples in secret. When his actions were discovered, he was executed.

The first-ever "valentine" greeting is said to have been sent by St. Valentine himself while in prison. He reportedly wrote a letter to a young girl who was most likely the jailer’s daughter, visited him secretly, and signed it, "From your Valentine."

By the mid-17th century, Valentine's Day was celebrated in English folk tradition as a celebration of the coming spring. During this time, people would draw names from a jar to find their "valentines." This "lottery" was often considered a good omen for a couple's future marriage.

The winged child with a bow and arrow, known as Cupid, actually has roots in ancient mythology. In Greek mythology, Eros was the God of love and was a "handsome" immortal who toyed with the emotions of both Gods and men.

Eros used golden arrows to make people feel the emotion of love, though he could also use lead ones to fuel hatred. It was not until the Hellenistic period that he began to be portrayed as the mischievous child we know today.

Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. While people began exchanging small tokens of affection or handwritten notes in the 18th century, the scale has grown immensely.

According to Hallmark, approximately 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged industry-wide each year, making it the second-largest holiday for greeting cards.

While Valentine's Day has been around for 1,500 years, the sentiment remains the same. Whether through a handwritten note or a simple text, Valentine’s Day continues to serve as a reminder to pause and celebrate those who are closest to us.

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By SOFIA ARNAIZ

Managing Editor