Saint Valentines Day is a tradition that is steeped in legend. There are different theories about the day’s significance, and where it originated. It would seem obvious to assume that the day’s name sake, Saint Valentine, has something to do with showing someone how much they love them, with American Greeting Cards and chocolate.  However, St. Valentine is not synonymous with happy go lucky love and cherubs that shoot arrows in your butt to make you fall in love. This man was a Roman Catholic priest who would not listen to his emperor, marrying young men who were going to war against Emperor Claudius’ wishes. Valentine was imprisoned, and supposedly fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, and signed it “Your Valentine”, thus people say this was the first Valentine.Another variation of this story is that, while in prison, Valentine would find little notes in the cracks of his jail cell walls. These notes were from people who wanted prayers said for them. Regardless of which story is true, Valentine was put to death on Feb.14, 270 A.D.

If we look deeper into history we find that festival of love went even further back than the story of priest Valentine. In ancient Rome January and February was a time to honor the Queen Juno, who was the mother of all Gods and Goddesses. February 14 was a holiday to specifically honor her, and the following day was the beginning of the festival of Lupercalia. This festival was the random pairing of young Roman boys and girls, who remained partners for the rest of the festival, and sometimes resulted in marriage. This festival was a tradition that Romans kept for centuries, and in 496 AD Pope Gelasius I turned this festival into a Christian Feast day, days which honor saints.

Though we are not sure what legend is more truthful, or indicative of the real occasion for such a holiday, Valentines Day is a popular holiday in America, and throughout the world. The act of giving cards and small “tokens of affection” began in Britain in the 17th and 18th century. By the end of the 18th century printing was becoming a more standard means for correspondence, and printed/ready made cards too the place of handwritten notes. On of the earliest Valentines Day card is rumored to be one sent by the Duke of Orleans, to his wife, while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415.

Valentines day cards, chocolate, and flowers have no become a staple of Valentines day. Victorians decorated cards with “lace, flowers, and sweet scents”, using “scrap” to decorate their cards.  Today, however, the Greeting Card Industry takes care of creating that perfect valentine for your special someone. Selling over one billion Valentines Cards a year, the Greeting Card Association, says it is the second largest card selling holiday.

Whether you want to believe that there is Christian and pagan grounding to St. Valentines day is your own choice, but it is obvious that the death of a Roman Catholic martyr is not romantic. The festival of Lupercalia is a more convincing legend, and carries all the ties of love and marriage that we today associate with Valentine’s Day.