Its February 14th celebration as a day of love and romance is well-known. It is one of the most celebrated days in the world when people give loving broadsides, chocolates, and expiry dates to each other. But do you know the history behind this romantic holiday? Valentine's Day has a long, strange history that is rooted in ancient traditions, influenced by the Church, and has evolved over the centuries.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the mysterious background of Valentine’s Day from its dark & mysterious past to its current-day incarnation as a celebration of romance.
Valentine’s Day had roots in Lupercalia, a pagan Roman festival celebrated on February 13–15. It was dedicated to Faunus, the god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, and it was a raucous occasion, intended to purify the city and bring fertility.
Lupercalia involved animal sacrifices, feasting and matchmaking activities, during which men drew the names of women from a jar to create temporary coupledoms. Priests called Luperci raced through the streets whipping women with strips of animal hide, thought to increase fertility.
As Christianity spread, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day in the fifth century, in honor of Saint Valentine, who secretly performed marriages in defiance of a ban. It was not until centuries later that the holiday became associated with love, when medieval poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer romanticized the day.
While it is now not at all similar to its ancient form, Valentine’s Day still echoes those earliest ideals, focusing on love, sensuality and long-lasting bonds.
Valentine is the name of several Christian martyrs, but the most famous is Saint Valentine of Rome, a 3rd-century priest. Traditionally, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriages for young men, as single soldiers were thought to fight better. He is said to have secretly performed marriages in defiance of the decree, making him a martyr to love and devotion.
His defiance was found out, and he was arrested and imprisoned. During his time in jail, he allegedly had healed the jailer’s blind daughter, restoring her sight through the act of prayer. Before he was executed, on February 14th, circa 269 AD, he reportedly wrote her a farewell letter signed, “From your Valentine” — a term beloved to this day.
Saint Valentine was eventually canonized, and in the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I proclaimed February 14th a feast day. Over the centuries, his story melded with medieval romantic traditions, ensuring his legacy as the patron saint of love and lovers.
In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I proclaimed February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day in order to Christianize the pagan festival of Lupercalia that was observed in Rome and tied to fertility and purification. In an effort to disassociate people from the pagan celebration, the Church replaced it with a feast honoring St. Valentine in the hopes of directing people's focus toward Christian ideals.
St. Valentine’s Day began as a religious observance, not a romantic one. But by the Middle Ages, the day was associated with love, partly because of the belief that mid-February was when birds began mating. Poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer romanticized the day, and by the 15th century, exchanging love notes in celebration of St. Valentine had become a tradition.
This transformation of the festival eventually resulted in Valentine’s Day distinctly different from its early religious meaning and hence, over centuries, Valentine’s Day became a day of celebration for love and affection, integrating primitive customs with Christian influence. Today it stands as proof of how historical traditions can evolve into modern cultural celebrations.
Valentine’s Day became a day of romance during the Middle Ages. Geoffrey Chaucer was one of the first to connect February 14th to love in his 1382 poem, Parliament of Fowls, in which he wrote about birds selecting their mates on this day. This idea grew popular and helped shape this holiday into a romantic occasion.
By the 15th century, lovers were already exchanging handwritten notes and small gifts, the early origins of Valentine’s cards. The first recorded Valentine’s Day message was sent in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London. But his poetic letter, full of longing and devotion, began a new era of romance and a precedent for love notes.
As the Renaissance blossomed, courtly love themes allowed Valentine’s traditions to evolve even further. Nobles and poets took to the occasion, deepening the romantic nature of it. These traditions evolved over time into what is now celebrated as Valentine's Day.
Thanks to advances in printing and consumer culture, Valentine’s Day transformed during the 19th century from a romantic custom into a global industry. Esther Howland, dubbed the “Mother of the American Valentine,” made the holiday popular in the 1840s by mass-producing elaborate, handmade Valentine’s cards at a factory in Massachusetts. Her success used to switch Valentine’s Day from private, handwritten notes to a widely celebrated commercial event.
Fast forward to present day where the holiday has blossomed into a $25+ billion industry in the U.S. alone, with millions dished out on flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and experiences. In recent years, the observance has broadened beyond romantic love — to include friendship (“Galentine’s Day”), self-love and even gifting pets. Digital cards, customized video messages and A.I.-generated love letters have emerged as contemporary forms of endearment. With a historical foundation, Valentine’s Day continues to grow and expand alongside technology and social trends, making it one of the most adaptable and popular globally recognized holidays.
Valentine’s Day may be celebrated around the world, but customs vary greatly from culture to culture. In the US and UK, February 14 is a day for flowers, chocolates, cards and romantic meals. Women in Japan give “giri-choco” (obligation chocolate) or “honmei-choco” (romantic chocolate) to men, who return the favor on White Day (March 14). The South Koreans take it further, observing Valentine’s Day, White Day and Black Day on April 14, when singles eat black noodles (jajangmyeon) to lament or celebrate their single status.
In Brazil, they do it on June 12 in honor of “Dia dos Namorados” with music festivals, gifts, and romantic getaways, coinciding with the day of Saint Anthony. Mass weddings as a tradition on Valentine’s Day have taken off in Philippines, with many sponsored by the local government. In the case of the holiday, it is still growing in economies like India and Indonesia, even as there is some cultural pushback. Valentine’s Day around the world is changing — celebrating new definitions of love, text-ual communication and even eco-friendly gifting.
So does Valentine’s Day, which nowadays isn’t strictly about romantic love. A lot of people use this time of year to give thanks to loved ones, friends, and even pets. Valentine’s Day is a widely celebrated cultural phenomenon with schools and workplaces also joining in on the festivities.
Ancient Roman festivals, medieval love poems and modern-day chocolates — the history of Valentine’s Day is a fascinating trip through time. Now a worldwide celebration of love and affection, what began as a fusion of pagan rites and Christian practices. Whether you’re celebrating it with a romantic partner, friends or take yourself out for the date, Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder to love the people in your life. Are you in search of the best entertainment for your Valentine experience? Visit UK Live Entertainment for live music, tribute acts and more to help make your celebration that extra bit special.
Valentine’s Day originated from a mix of Roman and Christian traditions, later evolving into a romantic holiday associated with Saint Valentine.
No! While it’s often celebrated by couples, many people also use it as a day to appreciate friends, family, and loved ones.
Saint Valentine of Rome was a priest who secretly married couples against the emperor’s orders, making him a symbol of love and devotion.
The tradition of exchanging Valentine’s cards began in the 15th century and became popular with the commercialization of greeting cards in the 19th century.
Different countries have unique customs, such as chocolate-giving in Japan, Lover’s Day in Brazil, and various romantic traditions across Europe and the U.S.
