The Truth behind Valentine’s Day

Nearly every month of the year is associated with a holiday. February is a time for love, stuffed animals, chocolates, and flowers! Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to tell somebody you love them. Many people celebrate the holiday with that someone special. Some even propose to their partners. Even children bring in the holiday with festive school parties, little cards, and candy.

Some people, mostly single ones, think Valentine’s Day is a “Hallmark” holiday. It is simply an excuse to buy people gifts. It is a way for large corporations to make money. However, Valentine’s Day has deep roots and was named for a particular person (St. Valentine, of course!).

The History of Valentine

The history of February 14th is somewhat sketchy, as several rumors and legends circulate about the infamous holiday. However, some things are a matter of fact. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were three Christian saints, all martyred on the 14th of February, and all known to go by the name Valentine. One was a priest and another a bishop; the third has hardly any written documentation. Although Pope Gelasius obviously wanted to honor all three on that particular day, it seems the records of the priest are what coincide with the holiday.

He lived around 270 AD in Rome. The Roman emperor Claudius II was the ruler and did not take a liking to Valentine. According to both the Catholic and Protestant versions of history, St. Valentine held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers against the ruling of Claudius II. The emperor forbid the marriage of young men. Going against the emperor’s orders meant an execution of the accused.

Perhaps the primary reasoning for not allowing young men to be married was so they could play a role in protecting the land as soldiers. While Valentine was alive, the golden era and the Roman Empire were facing total defeat and destruction. Northern Europe and Asia were plotting against them, and the land had become so vast, it was difficult to protect. More and more young men were forced to live as soldiers in order to prevent a takeover. Claudius II felt that a married man would be too concerned with his family to wholeheartedly make good decisions and protect Rome. Therefore, in order to keep the soldiers strong and free of emotional attachment, he made marriage illegal.

People were shocked by the new law, but would not go against the emperor’s ruling. Valentine was equally appalled by the injustice and went against the decree, but only in secret, of course. The lovers would meet with him in secrecy so he could perform the sacrament of holy matrimony. Valentine conducted marriages for young people, but it was not long before he was arrested.

While in jail awaiting his sentence, Valentine was approached by a jailor known as Asterius, who had a blind daughter. Knowing that Valentine had saintly powers, he begged for him to restore her sight. Valentine was able to do so using his faith. (This hiccup is the only difference between the Catholic and Protestant version of St. Valentine. The Protestant version refutes the fact of him allowing the blind girl to see.) After the emperor had seen the dignity and conviction of Valentine’s ability to restore the girl’s sight, he was impressed. Nevertheless, the two had opposing views about the ban on marriage. Further, Valentine refused to honor the Roman gods at the request of Claudius II. In opposition, Valentine attempted to convert the emperor to Christianity. Claudius II then ordered the execution of Valentine.

In the coming days of his execution, Asterius’ daughter became filled with grief, since she and Valentine had formed a bond. Right before his imminent death, Valentine requested a pen and paper in order to say farewell to his new friend and love. He wrote “From Your Valentine” to the young girl, and this phrase became a popular association with the holiday. Valentine was then killed on February 14, 270 AD; hence, the date for the holiday. He was later martyred by the pope, not for passionate love, known as Eros, but for Agape or Christian love. Valentine refused to renounce his religion despite his sentence of execution.

Early Traditions of Valentine’s Day

When Valentine’s Day became a day of remembrance for the patron saint, young people would create handwritten greetings for those they admired. It was done so to show affection. As Christianity grew, the day was called St. Valentine’s Day specifically.

By the 14th century, the holiday became more directly associated with love. According to UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, Chaucer made a clear distinction that St. Valentine’s Day was for romance. The scholar wrote “Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine,” in which he explains that in medieval France and England it was believed that birds mated on February 14th. Chaucer believed that the royal engagement, mating season and St. Valentine’s Day were connected. He wrote about it in “The Parliament of Fowls.”

During the Middle Ages, St. Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. Romance was continually associated with February 14th despite the church’s attempt to sanctify the holiday. By the 18th century, the tradition of handwritten notes evolved to include the exchange of gifts and handmade cards. Lace, ribbons, hearts, and even cupids were featured on these cards. It was the custom for to give such cards to your lover.

St. Valentine’s Day in America

The common Valentine’s Day traditions continued in the new colonies of America. In fact, it was not until the 1840s that companies began to produce cards commercially. However, even the commercially-made cards were still initially handcrafted. Esther A. Howland of Mount Holyoke was known as the Mother of the Valentine, and she created cards using scrap lace, ribbons, and pictures. It was only when these elaborate decorations were made on a large scale did the tradition become more of what people see today.

In the 21st century, many people may simply associate Valentine’s Day with the commercial success of cards. However, there was a real man named Valentine who died for what he believed in, and that belief was the sacrament of marriage and love. People should continue the tradition of sending cards and stationery to their loved ones, whether it is a parent, child, spouse, or friend.