 We all know that Valentine’s Day is meant to be a romantic celebration of love, but what are the origins of this special day? Why has February 14th become synonymous with hearts, love notes, and flowers?
We need to look far into the past in order to understand the significance of Valentine’s Day: here is the reason why it captures our hearts, year after year…
In the past, Valentine’s Day was known as St. Valentines Day: its name was derived from the legend of Saint Valentine.
According to folklore, Saint Valentine was of Roman ancestry, and he defied the Emperor Claudius during the third century. He disagreed with Claudius’ plans: the Emperor wished to force the men of Rome to leave home and fight in a series of wars. Claudius went so far as to decree that men should no longer marry, so that they would not be inclined to stay home with the women they loved, instead of fighting his cause for him. The Emperor needed all the able-bodied men of his Empire to stand and fight for him, whenever he deemed it necessary.
St. Valentine defied Claudius, and he carried on marrying couples, privately, in order to keep the sacred rite of marriage alive. He was caught and imprisoned, and he spent his days in a dank cell, where he would pass the time by greeting the sympathetic visitors who appeared at his small window. Eventually, the admirers of St. Valentine began to throw little notes and flowers through the window, to show their affection and loyalty to the patron saint of love. These notes and flowers became the first true Valentines, and so began a tradition that continues to this day.
Legend has it that St. Valentine fell in love while he was in prison, when the daughter of a guard gave him her friendship and understanding. Upon his release, he was thought to have penned a special note to her, thanking her for everything she had done for him. He ended the note with the words, “Love from your Valentine”. To this day, people send little notes and love tokens, in order to recapture the spirit of this romantic man, who believed in love, even in the face of hardship and oppression.
The sweet tale of Saint Valentine is a lesson in idealism and in patience: his undying belief in the sanctity of love and togetherness made him exceptional. His spirit lingers as couples today show their love for one another with hearts, flowers, and other whimsical symbols of romantic love. Many may be unaware of the legend of Saint Valentine, but the ideals he sacrificed so much for remain alive and well. In all likelihood, the spirit of St. Valentine will live on forever, as this popular, secular holiday continues to inspire and prompt lovers. Valentines are designed to show romantic interest, through charming little notes (sometimes anonymous) and love tokens that will intrigue the recipient.
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