History of Valentine’s Day

On February 14 we know as Valentine’s Day. On the same day all over the world celebrate the day of love to express their love to a person or family, with well known greeting “Happy Valentine!”. So is the media, malls, entertainment centers are also excited to welcome Valentine’s Day by holding a variety of attractions to attract visitors, which certainly will benefit from the business side.

Flowers and chocolate are the identical items as a gift in this celebration. In the 20th century, the tradition of exchanging cards, giving flowers and chocolates are the most famous tradition at that time. Then in the 1980s with the development of the diamond industry, Valentine’s Day is also growing with a gift of jewelry. However, what actually happened on February 14 so the day celebrated as Valentine’s Day? Actually until now there is no definite agreement among the historians about the history of Valentine’s Day. There are many versions about the origins of this celebration such as the versions below.

History version 1
In the years 268-270 AD, King Claudius II who ruled at that time had a strict policy to forbid his soldiers to marry. Purpose of the ban is in hope they will be aggressive and potentially in the war.

At that time, Saint Valentine and Saint Marius opposed it. They both secretly remained married young soldiers who are in love. In the beginning was safe but gradually their actions known to King Claudius II.

The King was very angry that the death penalty to Valentine and Marius by hanging. Before the execution, St. Valentine and Saint Marius imprisoned. In prison, Valentine met a girl who is the daughter of a jailer. Then the girl visited him faithfully until his death.

After the death of Valentine and Marius, the people always remember both of Saint and celebrate it as a form of expression of love for Valentine who sacrificed their lives for the sake of love. Two hundred years later in 496 AD after the death of Valentine and Marius, Pope Galasius I inaugurated February 14, 496 as Velentine,s Day.

History version 2
According to The World Book Encyclopedia 1998, Valentine was actually a martyr who is for his philanthropy he given the title of Saint or Santo. As a symbol of fortitude, courage and surrender to face the trials of life, then his followers to commemorate the death of St. Valentine as a religious ceremony.

History version 3
In other versions tell that the Emperor Claudius II ordered the arrest and imprisonment of St. Valentine for stating his god is Jesus Christ and refused to worship the gods of the Romans. When Christianity entered to Rome, they adopted this ceremony. Among the supporters was the Emperor Constantine and Pope Gregory I. In order to get closer again to his teachings, in 496 AD Pope Gelasius I made this ancient Roman ritual into the Church Feast Day with the name of Saint Valentine’s Day, in honor of St.Valentine who died on February 14.

History version 4
The ancient Romans had a tradition of the view that the middle of February is known as a period of love and fertility. In the chronicle of ancient Athens calendar, the period known as the month of Gamelion that dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera Gods. In ancient Rome, February 15th is the feast of Lupercalia which is a celebration of Lupercus, God of Fertility.

As part of the purification ritual, the priests of Lupercus menyembahkan sacrifice goats to the god and then after drinking wine, they ran in the streets of Rome as he took the pieces of sheep skin and touching anyone they met. Especially young women would go voluntarily because they believe that it will be blessed with fertility and easy childbirth. Because of this, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in February.