The History of Valentines Day: From the Lupercalia to Cupid

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Before chocolates, roses and letters from your valentine were given on Valentines Day, there was the Ancient Roman Festival of the Lupercalia in honour of both the agricultural god Luperca and the she-wolf who suckled Romulus and Remus, Lupus. We have a look at the legendary history of valentine's Day, and the many different Saint Valentine's from history as well as the Roman festival of the Lupercalia which has been claimed as the origin for the modern-day Valentine's day. Stick around to learn all about the history of Valentine's Day!

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— CHAPTERS —
0:00 Introduction
0:35 What is Valentine's Day?
0:50 Legend of Saint Valentine
1:15 The first letter sent 'from your valentine'
1:41 Lupercalia Festival
2:22 What happened during the Lupercalia?
2:53 The first mention of Valentine’s Day in writing
3:58 Central image of Valentine’s Day

— ATTRIBUTIONS —

Amatores (Lovers)
The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:

Free Clean Transitions from LenoFX

Free Logo Reveal Graphics by Zhoomart

Cover Images:
British Library HMNTS 11651.g.2.
W. Crane and Kate Greenaway
Public Domain

Andrea Camassei
Public Domain

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#historyofvalentinesday #valentinesday #lupercalia #valentines #saintvalentines

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Комментарии

Do you celebrate Valentine's Day, and if so, how? Do you gift the standard chocolate and roses? Let us know!

WorldHistoryEncyclopedia

I wasn’t a fan before knowing the history now it’s fascinating. Problem is the majority of the population is ignorant to its origins and like all other holidays has become grossly commercialized.

Mistress_Macabre

What an underrated channel. Quality historical content right here.

ひろゆき二十一

I'm a big fan of Valentines Day/Lupercalia. I'm always single, so I express extra self love and I treat myself in the way I'd like to be treated if I ever got into a relationship. I like to spread the love to my friends and loved ones too and give them cards, roses and gifts. Thank you for uploading and Happy Lupercalia/Valentines Day ❤️🌹✨️

LisaBabe

The main objection by conservative Christians against the celebration of Valentine’s Day is its alleged origins in the Roman Lupercalia. Specifically, that Lupercalia was Christianized by Pope Gelasius I into Valentine’s Day. The ancient festival’s association with fertility rituals has only added to that idea.

A closer examination however revels that any relationship between the two seems to reside solely in the realm of wishful thinking.

The earliest historical record of Lupercalia is from the 3rd century BCE, while the last record is from the end of the 5th century CE — around the same time Pope Gelasius I made February 14 into a day that would honor the Christian martyr Saint Valentine (Lupercalia, by the way, took place on the 15th). At no point however does Gelasius speak of compromise or of adapting any pagan customs. In the early church, this would have been a solemn celebration; not the holiday it is today. Indeed, it is quite possible that Gelasius was partly responsible for Lupercalia’s decline.

One presumed aspect of the festival is the idea that there would have been a matchmaking lottery associated with Lupercalia, a supposition that is often cited as further evidence of the connection between the ancient festival and Valentine’s Day. But there are no historical records attesting to men being paired randomly with women for participation in the ritual.

Indeed, popular legends that Lupercalia featured girls writing their names on paper that would be drawn from a box by boys seem to be an 18th-century invention/addition to the assumed practices of this festival.
Even though they weren’t far apart chronologically, the supposed symbolic overlap between the two took centuries more to develop, as Valentine’s Day hadn’t yet acquired the romantic meaning it has today. Valentine’s Day, as a celebration of love and fertility, dates from the 14th century CE leaving a huge gap between the two.

Some pagan holidays/celebrations were co-opted by the Church, but this doesn’t appear to have been one of those cases.

Though there is calendar overlap (sort of), there’s no indication that one was replaced by another. It is vitally important when writing about traditions to remember that there are only 365 days in the year ... overlap does not equate to significance.

Most mainstream historians assert that Valentine’s Day and romance became associated with each other only in the late 14th century, and specifically because of the popularity of a few Geoffrey Chaucer (of 'Canterbury Tales' fame) poems called "Parliament of Foules" and “The Complaint of Mars” which both associated Valentine’s Day and romance. At the time of Chaucer's writing, mid-February was also considered to be the start of Spring in Britain, because it was the beginning of birds' mating season—perfectly appropriate for a celebration of affection. In addition, this was also the time when a concept known as “courtly love” was in its heyday.

Not celebrating Valentine’s Day because of its alleged association with Lupercalia (i.e., that it has a supposed pagan origin) does not appear to hold much validity, yet some people just can’t seem to let go of this false connection.

kavikv.d.hexenholtz

Not sure Tammuz or what we call Cupid was as cuddly as people think. I can only imagine what the Lupercalia looked like in ancient Rome or Babylon.

Jay-n

I celebrate tomorrow with chocolate on sale.

TravisSelassieSimbawafedha

super interesting video! every year I think about why Valentine's Day is the only saints' day that we still pay much attention to these days. most saints' days stopped being celebrated during Protestant reforms but St Valentine's Day has become a secular holiday instead!

MimiMortmain

all the best holidays for Xtians seem to have Pagan roots how delightfully ironic

ericpaulson

1 Corinthians 10:20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, thy sacrifice to devils, and not to God, and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils”. Thus said the Lord.

darlacarter

Nice story Kelly! Indeed the baby cupid is a Roman mutation of the Greek Eros who in Greece was represented as a handsome teenager with wings and has a nice story with the Soul. Eros and Soul, you should have a look at it too and enjoy Eros every day in your life as well as your Valentine if you like

Tekmirion

Great video! I personally like the idea of St. Valentine marrying couples in secret, even if its historicity is debated. 😂

elihinze

If history takes us back to Lupercalia (an ancient roman festival) as an origin of Valentine's day, then by its true nature is an old Pagan festival coming from Ancient Rome. So, how does this festival has to do with Christianity? or does History try to compromise, introduce, and adopt pagan tradition into Christian tradition and practice so that it can reach the masses.

mokeshe_robbi