February 10, 2007

  • Holiday Histories: Valentine's Day

    Valentine's Day may have been derived from three sources: Lupercalia, two legendary Christian martyrs, and the Old English belief that birds mate on February 14, plus perhaps the belief that spring is a time for lovers.

    Lupercalia was a Roman festival held on February 15 in the honor of the god Faunus in order to obtain protection from wolves.  After sacrificing goats and a dog at the top of Palatine hill, young men called Luperci raced around the hill's borders striking those they met with goatskin whips.  Women struck by their blows were ensured of fertility and easy delivery.

    There are at least two legendary Christian martyrs named Valentine.  The Roman history of martyrs lists two Saint Valentines as being beheaded on February 14.  One was a Roman priest martyred in Terni; the second was probably a bishop of Terni martyred in Rome.  It is possible that these two legends were based on real people or, as some believe, one person.  In 496, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 to be Saint Valentine's day.  In 1969 the feast day was dropped from the Roman church calendar.