Are You My Saint Valentine's?

Every year on the same day people across the world decide to share their kind hearts with whomever, they love. This day is called Valentine's Day, the day of love. Although we may know this day of gift-giving. We also have to know how this adorable holiday even started!

Back in the day, more likely back in the third century of Rome. "Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men"(History). This fact is important because this deals with who started Valentine's Day! Saint Valentine was the man who did it all!

Saint Valentine, being the man he is, saw this act to be despicable to mankind. Saint Valentine "defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret"(History). From this, I can infer that Saint Valentine was an honest man and doesn't let anything but true love get in the way. But soon after, Emperor Claudius II found out his secret and had him beheaded for this act. 

In another story, it can be informed that Saint Valentine was a heroine of some sort. And also a sort of savior for the Christians that were put into the Rome prison. Since the Christians were killed for not worshipping the Emperor and not take play with what the people of Rome were doing. This also leaves me to conclude that this may be a reason why the Christians decided to worship this holiday. 

But another resource Lupercalia can also be the source of why Valentine's day is a holiday. Which would be held on the 15th of February. It was more of a gruesome holiday, which involves "violent and sexually-charged celebration awash with animal sacrifice, random matchmaking, and coupling in the hopes of warding off evil spirits and infertility"(Lupercalia). According to this quote, this can be used as a way to start Valentine's Day holiday, because of the matchmaking. Also, it can be included that the color of the blood from the sacrifices can be the reason why the Valentine Day is red. But that's just a fun fact. 

I would like to believe that the release of Christians was part of the reason why Valentine Day was made into a holiday. If not it's such a fun fact to acknowledge for this lovey-dovey holiday. 

Editors, History.com. “Lupercalia.” HISTORY, 13 Dec. 2017, www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/lupercalia. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

History of Valentine’s Day - Facts, Origins & Traditions - HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.