Love it or think it’s rubbish, Valentine’s Day is one of the largest, most celebrated, global marketing spins. However it does have a wonderful history. And if you are any woman on the planet (& even in out of space), you would want to receive some small token today to know that you are loved. So where does today come from?
Three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred and recognised by the Catholic Church. The first legend is from the 3rd Century, a Roman priest Valentine, who performed marriages for young lovers in secret. This was due to Emperor Claudius II deciding that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, outlawing marriage for young men. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius of course, ordered he be put to death.
Another legend tells the story of an imprisoned Valentine sending the first “valentine” greeting after he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.
There is also rumour that the Christian church may have decided to start a St. Valentine’s Day feast in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. February 15 was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. This is quite an interesting story to read!
No matter what today brings (or doesn’t), if you have a partner or loved one, celebrate the love every day! Because as we all know, ‘it’s love makes the world go round’ by W.S Gilbert.
For more reading:
http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/valentinesdayhistory.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine’s_Day
A little bit of luck 