The European roots of Valentine’s Day

Curious facts showing how this holiday has come to be the way we know it

No matter how you feel about it, Valentine’s Day is here and we thought it’d be a good moment to introduce you to some of the customs surrounding it. A big part of what makes that day romantic are the traditions accompanying it: chocolates, flowers and cards – they weren’t always part of this.

It turns out, we have Europeans to thank (or blame) for the now-iconic traditions associated with this most romantic of day on the calendar.

Some not so romantic backstory?

Like many other holidays that we have today, there is a similar story of the Church trying to pave over older pagan rituals with new branding. They did it with Christmas and likewise with Valentine’s Day.

Originally, in ancient Roman times, there was a fertility festival called Lupercalia, which was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. That one was held on 15 February, though and apparently involved smacking women with animal hides, a practice that was believed to stimulate fertility. Those Romans and their ideas, right?

Well, with the arrival of Christianity it was also Rome that led the way in the rebranding with Pope Gelasius declaring 14 February to be St. Valentine’s Day. This was in honour of one of the early Christian martyrs, who was helping soldiers get married to their sweethearts despite a ban on the practice by Emperor Claudius II.

It wasn’t until the 14^th century though that romance started becoming so mainstream and popular that 14 February actually started being celebrated as the day of love. But if you think fertility was out of the way, hold your horses. Mid-February was also when Europeans commonly thought the birds mating season would begin.

Who, when and where?

The very first valentine (greeting) was a poem written in 1415 by a French duke, named Charles, who was imprisoned at the Tower of London. It was actually a letter that expressed a longing for his wife, and lo and behold, her name was Valentine. There is a tragic ending because she died before they could ever get reunited.

Who thought roses would be a cool gift to express heartfelt feelings? Apparently, we owe that to another aristocratic Charles. This time it was King Charles XII of Sweden (17^th century) who had learned about pairing different flowers with specific meaning – a custom that originated in Persia. That fad really took off during the Victorian Era when red roses symbolized deep love.

And if you think heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are a cheesy gift, or if you think they are the best gift ever, then, well, look to England as the source. This time it was no Charles, but a Richard Cadbury, the son of the Cadbury Chocolates founder, who decided to increase sales for his product. So on Valentine’s Day 1861, he introduced the heartshaped box to the world and the rest, as they say, is history.

Finally, for those who happen to be single today, no worries. There is a holiday for you, too – International Quirkyalone Day, which has been celebrated since 2003.