Valentine’s Day!
Ah, a day for romance, right?
But what if I told you the origins of this celebrated day weren’t all chocolates and roses?
Buckle up, lovebirds and skeptics alike, as we delve into the surprisingly murky history of Valentine’s Day, exploring its evolution from ancient rituals to the commercial juggernaut it is today.
We’re not just talking about hearts and flowers, we’re talking about the real deal.
From Lupercalia to Love Notes: A Historical Whirlwind
For many years, historians believed Valentine’s Day had roots in an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February.
Noel Lenski, a Yale University historian, notes the seasonal and thematic connections.
Both are, in a sense, erotic festivals.
However, the ancient one also included religious purification.
Think pairing off women and men by lottery – and some rather *interesting* rituals involving goat and dog hides.
Yes, you read that right.
Naked young men, drunk, would go running around Palatine Hill swatting virginal women with strips of dog fur and goat fur to make them fertile, Lenski said.
Quite the contrast to the chocolates and roses we’re used to, huh?
According to legend, Pope Gelasius sought to end this debauchery in the late fifth century.
He declared February 14 as the feast day of a St.
Valentine, who had been martyred about 200 years prior.
But Elizabeth White Nelson, a University of Nevada Las Vegas history professor, points out that this theory emerged in an 1807 book without much actual evidence.
So, was St.
Valentine a real person?
And if so, which one?
Was St.
Valentine a real person?
The most cited legend is about a priest named Valentine who was executed in third-century Rome for marrying couples against the will of the pagan Emperor Claudius II.
Another St.
Valentine, the bishop of Terni, was martyred around the same time.
Talk about a confusing legacy!
A couple centuries later, a prominent family named Valentine may have embellished an ancestor’s story after Christianity rose to prominence, Lenski said.
They say, ‘Oh, by the way, we have this famous ancestor who was a bishop, and he had been persecuted by the emperor for sanctifying marriages,’ he said.
The lack of definitive proof even led the Catholic Church to remove St.
Valentine as the primary saint celebrated on Feb.
14 in 1969.
Now, it’s officially the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the missionary brothers who spread the Cyrillic alphabet to Eastern Europe.
Talk about a plot twist!
What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Chaucer and the Birds
To further complicate matters, there were *many* St.
Valentines.
As many as 50 saints with variations of the spelling have been recognized by the Catholic Church, said Henry Kelly, a research professor at UCLA.
Kelly, author of *Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine*, suggests the English writer Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to connect Valentine’s Day with romance.
But he was talking about *another* St.
Valentine, whose feast day was May 3rd!
To commemorate King Richard II’s engagement on that day in 1381, Chaucer wrote a love poem.
He had Italian friends who told him it was the feast of St.
Valentine, the first bishop of Genoa, Kelly said.
And so he picked that day as the day on which all the birds returned to choose their mates for the year.
Shakespeare and other poets followed suit.
Because the Roman Valentine was the most famous one, people conflated the feast days, Kelly said.
It was the middle of winter, so there weren’t any birds around, there weren’t any flowers around, and so they started making up things about Valentine, he said.
The Rise of the Modern Valentine’s Day: Commercialism and Complaints
By the late 18th century, the tradition had solidified in England and spread to the United States.
Around the 1830s, companies began manufacturing Valentine kits, assembled from lace paper and cutouts of birds and cupids.
Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates followed a few decades later, along with the accusations that the holiday was created to sell cards, flowers, and candy, White Nelson said.
People were complaining in women’s magazines in the late 19th century that Valentine’s Day was too commercial.
Sound familiar?
History truly does repeat itself!
Everybodys always expecting Valentines Day to die out, and it never does, she said.
Its sort of like saying, Coney Islands too crowded.
The Dark Side of Valentine’s Day: Realities Beyond Romance
While we’re often bombarded with images of perfect couples and grand romantic gestures, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential downsides.
This video delves into the less glamorous side of Valentine’s Day, exploring the pressures and disappointments it can bring.
So, what’s the dark truth about valentine’s day?
It’s that while the marketing says that everyone *should* be with someone they care about, the truth is that there are people who want to be, but aren’t.
It’s a reminder of that for some.
Some Americans rail against a day they feel is an over-commercialization of love, or the holiday might make them feel lonely if they aren’t in a pair.
A 2024 study found that 68% of Americans in relationships planned on celebrating Valentine’s Day last year, compared with 24% of those not in relationships.
Overall, about half of Americans were expected to mark the day.
Cupid’s Arrow: More Than Just a Cartoon
Cupid is not just a Valentines Day gimmick or cartoon character but also has its history in ancient Rome.
Cupid comes from the Latin word *Cupido*, which means “desire,” and is the child and assistant of Aphrodite or Venus.
Cupid shows us that erotic love has been with the human species since the beginning, said Lenski.
Love and desire, he said, are a never-ending theme in literature and human experiences.
It has always mystified people and we still don’t understand it, truly, today.
Celebrating Love, Friendship, and Self: Modern Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day has become a major commercial holiday in the U.S., and the love, or spending rather, keeps on growing.
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2025.
The most popular gifts are likely to be candy, followed by an evening out and jewelry.
But like the Romans or the British during the late Middle Ages, Valentine’s Day is a sign of the times for modern-day Americans, too.
One popular way to celebrate is doing a Galentine’s Day with friends.
What’s Galentine’s Day, you ask?
It’s all about celebrating female friendships!
Copcutt suggests indulging in a high tea, which she said is very popular this year.
She also emphasized in 2025: If you can take any day out and take care of yourself, that’s great.
But if you had to choose a day, I would say Valentine’s Day, she said.
Do not be afraid to be alone.
Father Michael said that people can’t love their neighbor if they don’t love themselves.
So he also reminds people to be good to yourself on Valentine’s Day and every day.
You are inherently loveable.
Whether you’re celebrating with your kids, your partner, yourself, or your friends, remember that a celebration of human love has almost always been around and one of the best days to bask in it is on Valentine’s Day.
Celebrity True Love Stories For Valentine’s Day
There are so many great romance stories, it’s no wonder so many people like Valentine’s Day.
Here’s a compilation of celebrities telling their stories.
Whether you adore or despise the occasion, you might find its deep and ancient-rooted history surprising.
Why do we celebrate Valentines Day?
Since ancient Roman times, people have celebrated a loosely connected festival of love in the second week of February.
DIY Valentine’s Day: Get Creative!
Forget the generic store-bought gifts!
Why not tap into your creative side and craft something truly special this Valentine’s Day?
Here are a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing:
- Handmade Cards: Ditch the Hallmark aisle and create personalized cards with heartfelt messages.
- DIY Treats: Bake a batch of delicious cookies or decorate cupcakes with love-themed frosting.
- Personalized Gifts: Create a custom photo album, a hand-painted mug, or a knitted scarf.
- Romantic Ambiance: Set the mood with DIY candles, fairy lights, and a cozy homemade blanket.
Valentine’s Day spending
Here’s a breakdown of where your money goes when celebrating Valentines Day, according to the National Retail Federation:
Consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2025.
The most popular gifts are likely to be candy, flowers, jewelry and an evening out.
Ultimately, Valentine’s Day can be whatever you make it.
Whether it’s a grand romantic gesture, a cozy night in, a celebration of friendship, or simply a day to treat yourself, the choice is yours.
Don’t let the commercial pressure dictate how you celebrate – or whether you celebrate at all.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Valentine’s Day, with all its commercialism and potential for disappointment, still offers an opportunity to connect with loved ones, celebrate friendships, and even indulge in a little self-care.
Whether you embrace the hearts and flowers or prefer a more unconventional approach, remember that love, in all its forms, is worth celebrating.
And hey, if all else fails, there’s always chocolate!
What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?
Is it a cherished tradition or an overhyped holiday?
Here’s another perspective on the *the dark truth about valentine’s day*
Luis Giraldo is a senior digital producer for CBS News Digital.
Unveiling Valentine’s Day Mysteries
What is the origin of Valentine’s Day?
Many believe Valentine’s Day has roots in the ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia.
However, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as the feast day of a St.
Valentine to end this debauchery in the late fifth century.
Was St.
Valentine a real person?
The most cited legend is about a priest named Valentine who was executed in third-century Rome for marrying couples against the will of the pagan Emperor Claudius II.
Another St.
Valentine, the bishop of Terni, was martyred around the same time.
How did Valentine’s Day become associated with romance?
English writer Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to connect Valentine’s Day with romance.
To commemorate King Richard II’s engagement on that day in 1381, Chaucer wrote a love poem.
Is Valentine’s Day just a commercial holiday?
By the late 18th century, the tradition had solidified in England and spread to the United States.
Around the 1830s, companies began manufacturing Valentine kits, assembled from lace paper and cutouts of birds and cupids, leading to accusations that the holiday was created to sell cards, flowers, and candy.
What can I do instead of buying gifts?
Consider making handmade cards, baking treats, creating personalized gifts, or setting a romantic ambiance with DIY candles and lights.
Embracing Love in Your Own Way
Valentine’s Day, with all its commercialism and potential for disappointment, still offers an opportunity to connect with loved ones, celebrate friendships, and even indulge in a little self-care.
Whether you embrace the hearts and flowers or prefer a more unconventional approach, remember that love, in all its forms, is worth celebrating.
And hey, if all else fails, there’s always chocolate!
Celebrate Authentically
- Reflect on what love and connection mean to you.
- Plan an activity that feels genuine, whether it’s with a partner, friends, or yourself.
- Don’t let societal expectations dictate your celebration.
- Remember that showing love and appreciation can happen any day of the year.
