Valentine’s Day. For many it’s just another day. Some, go nuts and run for the nearest Hallmark store to purchase a five foot tall card to declare their love to their significant other as soon as Christmas is over. To others, it's become known as Singles Awareness Day - A day to commit to the eating of a tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. And as for me, it’s one of my favorite holidays, during my single years and my not so single years alike. I’ve heard all of the arguments of the naysayers. “Why do we need a special day to celebrate loving someone? That should be something you do every day.” (Yes, it should.) “It’s just another holiday cooked up by the chocolate conglomerates of the world to make an extra buck.” But what is so wrong with having a whole day extra specially dedicated to love?
Now I’m not endorsing the millions of pounds of chocolates or flowers being sold and bought, nor the sappy love cards written by a complete stranger. But I am absolutely a fan of the origins of this holiday that so many call made up and superficial. No you don’t get the day off work, but you can enjoy a sweetheart shake from Sonic or a heart shaped donut filled with chocolate from Krispie Kreme! Valentine’s Day is part legend, part poetry, part history, and I find it particularly interesting. I will do my best to bring a little clarity to the origins of this mysterious holiday. I did my research, and these are the pieces of the story I hope to be true.
Jack and Rose. Edward and Bella. Romeo and Juliet. Noah and Allie. What do all of these great romances have in common? (Other than being my favorites?!) They were all forbidden. What is it about a forbidden romance that makes it so good? It’s a timeless story, survival of the deepest love, some with happy endings and several with tragic repercussions. So where does this Valentine story begin and what does it have to do with forbidden love? Valentine (aka Valentinus) was a Roman priest in 1493, later to become know as Saint Valentine. Valentine was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples in secret, who at the time were under persecution of the Roman ruler, Claudius II, also known as Claudius Gothicus. Claudius ordered that young men remain single. The Emperor allegedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. It is said that Claudius took a liking to his prisoner, Valentine, despite his crime, until Valentine tried to convert the Emperor. At which point Valentine was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned. When that failed to kill him, he was beheaded. The skull of St Valentine is presently on display in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome.
There is an additional modern embellishment to the story, widely repeated despite having no historical basis whatsoever. On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he would have written the first "valentine" card himself, addressed to the blind daughter of his jailor Asterius, whom he had grown quite fond of, signing as "From your Valentine." Hence, Saint Valentine became a martyr for love and for Christ and the “Valentine card” was created. This story, whatever parts may be true or embellished led to the creation of a great feast to be held on the anniversary of Saint Valentine’s death, February 14th, and St. Valentine’s Day was born, known today simply as Valentine’s Day.
If martyrdom doesn’t evoke amorous feelings for you, the first recorded relationship of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382)a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer. (The Canterbury Tales) Written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia, he wrote:
“For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.”
Translated-"For this was on Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate."
Many of the current legends that describe Saint Valentine were embellished in fourteenth century England, notably by Geoffrey Chaucer and his circle, particularly in this poem, connecting the feast day of February 14 with romantic love.
So there you have it! My agenda is not to persuade all of the Valentine’s Day haters to lovers, but simply bring more understanding as to what this somewhat misunderstood holiday was evolved from. For more interesting Valentine topics search: The Valentine’s Day Massacre.
I did most of my research on Wikipedia and eChaucer. Check them out for more on Valentine’s Day and The Parliament of Birds.
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