The History Of Valentine's Day
|
The holiday of Valentine's Day probably derives its
origins from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia. In the
early days of Rome, fierce wolves roamed the woods nearby. The
Romans called upon one of their gods, Lupercus, to keep the
wolves away. A festival held in honor of Lupercus was
celebrated February 15th. The festival was celebrated as a
spring festival. Their calendar was different at that time,
with February falling in early springtime.
One
of the customs of the young people was name-drawing. On the
eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls
were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each
young man drew a slip. The girl whose name was chosen was to
be his sweetheart for the year.
Legend
has it that the holiday became Valentine's Day after a priest
named Valentine. Valentine was a priest in Rome at the time
Christianity was a new religion. The Emperor at that time,
Claudius II, ordered the Roman soldiers NOT to marry or become
engaged. Claudius believed that as married men, his soldiers
would want to stay home with their families rather than fight
his wars. Valentine defied the Emperor's decree and secretly
married the young couples. He was eventually arrested,
imprisoned, and put to death.
Valentine
was beheaded on February 14th, the eve of the Roman holiday
Lupercalia. After his death, Valentine was named a saint. As
Rome became more Christian, the priests moved the spring
holiday from the 15th of February to the 14th - Valentine's
Day. Now the holiday honored Saint Valentine instead of
Lupercus.
So, now you know a little more about
Valentine's
Day! |
