What Is The Real Story Behind Valentine’s Day Controversy?
Valentine’s Day is a holiday that celebrates love and romance. However, its origins are actually quite dark and bloody. The holiday can be traced back to ancient Rome, where the Romans celebrated a festival called Lupercalia from February 13 to 15.
During this festival, the Romans would sacrifice a goat and a dog, and then hit women with the flesh (skin) of these animals. The men were also drunk and naked, and they hit women because they believed it would make them fertile.
The festival also included a matchmaking lottery, where young men would draw the names of women from a jar. The couple would then be together for the duration of the festival, and sometimes even longer if they were a good match.
The name “Valentine” may have come from the execution of two men named Valentine on February 14 in different years in the third century by Emperor Claudius II.
Valentine was executed as he refused to renounce his faith in Christianity. The Catholic Church later honored their martyrdom with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day.
Over time, Valentine’s Day was manipulated and became more romanticized. William Shakespeare played a role in this by writing about love and romance in his works.
The holiday gained popularity throughout Britain and Europe. In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I combined St. Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia to get rid of the pagan rituals. However, the festival still retained some of its original elements, but in a more theatrical and less violent way.
In addition to the Roman influence, the Normans also celebrated a day called Galatin’s Day, which meant “lover of women.” This likely got mixed up with St. Valentine’s Day because the names sound similar.
As the years went on, the holiday became sweeter and more romanticized. Handmade paper cards became popular during the Middle Ages, and in the 19th century, factory-made cards were introduced during the Industrial Revolution.
In 1913, Hallmark Cards began mass-producing valentines, and since then, February has never been the same.
So, while Valentine’s Day is now associated with love, romance, and exchanging cards and gifts, its origins are rooted in historical cruel rituals and the execution of St. Valentine.
Valentine’s Day has become a big business these days and many people feel that it has lost its true meaning. It is no longer a requirement to celebrate the day and buy expensive cards and gifts.
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Valentine’s Day, despite its association with love and romance, has dark and bloody origins. The holiday can be traced back to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, where women were whipped with animal hides by naked men in the belief that it would make them fertile.
The holiday has become commercialized in the modern day. Valentine’s Day was never supposed to be romantic or lovable. It’s a conspiracy by some businesses to pressure people to buy expensive gifts.
However, you are free and have the choice to celebrate in different ways or even choose to be single, as you wish!
