By: Monica Aviles
Every holiday originates from somewhere, whether it’s Halloween or Thanksgiving. Today is Valentine’s Day and also Love Week, meaning, dress up days, creative posters, and candy grams. But why do we celebrate this holiday of love and romance?
Is it to exchange gifts and goodies? Is it to eat tons of chocolate and receive tons of roses? Is it to show one another our love and compassion? Or is it a day in ancient Rome where men whipped women?
There is no exact or accurate origin, but way back in ancient Rome, from February 13 to 15, Romans celebrated the pagan feast of Lupercalia. This ancient feast is a pastoral celebration in Rome to block evil or negativity, and to purify the city by releasing health and fertility.
The ancient Romans would celebrate this feast by sacrificing goats and dogs, after, they would use the same whips to hit women. The women would form a line to get whipped, they believed it increased fertility. Not only did whipping, and slaughtering animals occur, but also did a “matchmaking” lottery. During this lottery, men would pull out names of women, whom they would spend the rest of the feast with. These matches often ended with marriage.
The name “Valentine’s Day” also may have come from ancient Rome. In the third century, A.D., Roman Emperor Claudius II, banned young men from getting married because single men were better soldiers. A man named Valentine broke this new “rule” by continuing to perform marriages for young men, and was then executed on February 14th.
This martyrdom was honored by the Christian Church with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day. Others believe that the Christian church may have placed St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February to “Christianize” the pagan feast of Lupercalia.
Nowadays, millions of people all around the globe celebrate this holiday. Some go to church to honor Saint Valentine, while others may plan out a date for them and their loved one. Friends and family exchange cards and even food. Some people munch down on chocolate and candy as they watch romantic movies.
How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Tags: love week, valentine's day