You might be surprised to learn that this holidays history isn’t as romantic as you might expect.
Though Valentines Day, also known asSt.
Valentines Day, is now synonymous with love, its history is quite different.
Photo:Element5 Digital
This ancient fertility rite involved the sacrifice of a male goat and a dog by priests known as Luperci.
This was supposed to render these women fertile.
At the end of the 6th century CE, Pope Gelasius I transformed this festival into something else altogether.
“St Valentine baptizing St Lucilla” by Jacopo Bassano. c. 1575 (Photo:via Wikimedia Commons)
Perhaps owed to its timing, Lupercalia is often noted as the historical origins of Valentines Day.
But the truth is, theres no hard evidence to support this fact.
Who was St. Valentine?
“Hamlet” from The Works of Shakspere / Revised from the best Authorities / With a Memoir, and Essay on his Genius / By Barry Cornwall / Also Annotations and Introductory Remarks on the Plays by Many Distinguished Writers / Illustrated with Engravings on Wood, From Designs / By Kenny Meadows / Tragedies / Vol. II. 1846. (Photo:Victorian Illustrated Shakespeare Archive)
Once Pope Gelasius I put an end to theLupercalia, February 14 became known as St. Valentines Day.
So just who is the saint they were celebrating?
The reality is, there is actually more than one St. Valentine.
Comfort Magazine, February 1896 (Photo:Internet Archive)
St Valentine baptizing St Lucilla by Jacopo Bassano.
Who were these mysterious men?
Unfortunately very little is known about their history, and many legends have embellished what little we do know.
Pop-up valentine card, possible produced between 1920 and 1929. (Photo:Wellcome Collection
When this was discovered he was jailed and killed.
Before he was killed, he supposedly passed her a letter signed, from your Valentine.
Later, this would become a common phrase printed on Valentines Day cards.
Photo:Laura Ockel
But for all these wistful fantasies, aside from the date they were martyred, theres not much known.
It all starts withGeoffrey Chaucer, author ofThe Canterbury Tales.
Written in February 1415, he affectionately calls her my very gentle Valentine.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom kreatorex/Shutterstock
As time went on, romantic connections continued to appear more frequently in literature.
Quite popular in Victorian England, they were often made with real lace and ribbons.
In the United States, industrialized Valentines Day cards started in the mid-19th century.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Fortyforks/Shutterstock
Pop-up valentine card, possible produced between 1920 and 1929.
Photo:Laura Ockel
Another Valentine’s Day favorite that started in the mid-19th century isconversation hearts.
These predecessors of Sweethearts were often used at weddings and stamped with cute, celebratory phrases.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Simon Bratt/Shutterstock
Sweethearts as we now know them were first produced in 1901.
Spangler Candy Company, which purchased Necco, says that Sweethearts will beback on the shelves in 2020.
Sayings on the hearts continue to evolve with the times.
These days, classic phrases like Be Mine are found side by side with modern catchphrases like Email Me.
Valentine’s Day is also celebrated in France, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, and beyond.
But in these various locales, Valentines Day isnt always about romantic dinners, flowers, and chocolates.
Inother parts of the world, they have their own loved-up traditions.
Scroll down to learn about some of the different ways people celebrate this holiday in other countries.
Argentina
Argentinians dont celebrate Valentines Day on February 14.
Instead, they have an entire week of sweetness in July.
During this time, lovers exchange kisses for chocolates and other sweets.
Theres even a black day in April when single people gather to console themselves by eating black-colored noodles.
Hundreds, or even thousands, gather to tie the knot in unison.
Ghana
On February 14, Ghana celebrates National Chocolate Day.
The sweet holiday was first celebrated in 2007, when the government tried to increase the countrys tourism.
On the special day, restaurants have chocolate-themed menus and theres also live performances and music events.
They offer the wrapped meals to young men.
The fate of the relationship depends on the item found within the rice.
Men cant return the favor until March 14, which is called the White Day.
For same-sex couples, females tend to exchange gifts on Valentines Day and males exchange gifts on White Day.
Slovenia
In Slovenia, St. Valentine is one of the patron saints of spring.
On February 14, plants start to regenerate, marking the first day of farming in the fields.
Another popular belief is that birds propose to each other on this day.
to make it witness this chirpy occasion, you must walk barefoot through fields that are often still frozen.
