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Origin of Valentine’s Day Valentine’s day is vastly different from what it used to be in the past. This holiday is the day to express your love for those you care about including friends, family, and significant others. Although the exact origin of this holiday is unknown there are theories that this holiday began because of the deaths of two different St. Valentine’s, they were both executed on February 14, although they were different years. These saints were recognized by the Catholic Church, so the holiday is might be more likely to be based on both of them. These men were believed to be martyrs,
a martyr is a person who is killed because of their beliefs or because their beliefs go against another religion or belief. Although the name St Valentine and the fact that there has been a few that died on or around February 14, there is no clear connection with the holiday. Another origin theory that some historian believe to be possible is because of the connection of Valentine’s day with Lupercalia, Lupercalia was an ancient pagan festival that is estimated to have started as far back as 6th century B.C. It is a possibility that the festival was created as a way for the Romans to honor and please the fertility God Lupercus.
This festival took place on the 15th of February, there was animal sacrifices that took place at the lupercal cave where, this includes a few male goats and a dog. The festival continued with a feast after the sacrifice, the males would take goat hide and strike women with it because it was believed to improve fertility. After this part of the festival males would pull slips of paper from a jar containing names of women, they were paired and expected to stay together for at least a year, some even fell in love. Although this is quite different from Valentine’s day, the elements of love and fertility allowed historians to make the connection. Janeli Cruz
Eva Preciado
Karina Davis