History behind the holiday

When you picture Valentine’s Day, you likely think of chocolate boxes at the grocery store, children exchanging cards in school or the cherub-like baby with an arrow. But the holiday has a dark history, one that has yet to be depicted in a rom-com.

Historians haven’t pinpointed its exact origins, but Valentine’s Day is named after St. Valentine. Many believe it stems from the ancient Roman pagan festival of Lupercalia, which predated Christianity. Like the modern holiday, it was celebrated in February and involved the pairing of partners—but with a dark twist. The festival featured blood and sacrifice, making red a significant color, though not for the reasons we associate with it today. Priests would cut strips of hide from a sacrificed goat, dip them in blood and slap women with them, believing it would increase fertility. Over time, as Romans abandoned pagan beliefs and turned to Christianity, the holiday transformed into a celebration of love honoring St. Valentine.

The identity of St. Valentine himself is uncertain. Historians believe Emperor Claudius II executed two different men named Valentine on Feb. 14 during the third century. Both stories revolve around romance, despite their tragic endings. In one version, St. Valentine was a priest arrested for secretly marrying couples in defiance of a Roman decree prohibiting soldiers from marrying. In another, a priest fell in love with one of his visitors and sent her letters. Before his execution, he allegedly signed his last letter, “from your Valentine.”

Literary works helped shape Valentine’s Day into a holiday for love. Historians claim that Romantic English poet Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare played roles in popularizing it. By the mid-18th century, friends and lovers commonly exchanged gifts and letters. By the 19th century, the holiday had evolved into the phenomenon we know today, complete with heart-shaped chocolates and candy. Conversation Hearts with phrases like “hug me,” “true love” and “kiss me” became a staple, followed by Hallmark producing its first Valentine’s Day cards in 1913.

Cupid, another Valentine’s Day icon, originates from Greek mythology. Known as Eros in Greek myth, he was the god of love. His roots are uncertain, but some stories claim he was the son of Chaos, also known as Nyx. Other versions say he was the child of Aphrodite—by either Hermes, Ares or Zeus. Originally, Eros was depicted as a handsome, winged figure who controlled emotions with golden arrows to inspire love and leaden arrows to create aversion. The Romans renamed him Cupid, derived from the word “desire.” During the Hellenistic era, Roman art began depicting Cupid as a child-like angel, the image most associated with him today.

Valentine’s Day has come a long way from its ancient origins. Fortunately, modern celebrations focus on love and friendship—no goat sacrifices or executions required.