Feb 12, 2012

Valentine’s Day: commercial nonsense or ancient tradition?

Reading: Chain Reaction by Zoe Archer
Watching: Grimm
Listening to: Dora the Explorer
Making me smile: My little boy pointing…at everything…all the time

Last month, I blogged on the history of the New Year’s Resolution. This month, with my blog post so close to Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d share the history of the day many claim was invented by florists or greeting card makers.

Here are a few interesting facts:

~ February 14th first became linked with the celebration of love in Ancient Rome. From Feb 13 through 15, they celebrated Lupercalia – a pagan fertility festival. Boy, we have a lot to thank the Romans for!

~ Around 496 AD, Pope Gelasius fought to suppress Lupercalia and declared February 14th St Valentine’s Day – a Christian feast day to honour St Valentine.

~ 1382 AD, Geoffrey Chaucer linked St Valentine’s Day and love in a poem he wrote to celebrate the engagement of Richard II of England.

Image - public domain

So, for the romantics out there, let that special someone know you love them tomorrow and know that you’re following in the footsteps of the Romans.

For the V Day naysayers, have my fast history facts changed your thoughts on the holiday of love?

To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
— Hamlet by William Shakespeare

21 comments:

  1. I am a card junkie so any time I get to send or receive cards is a good time. Valentine's is one of my favorite times. When I was little one of my uncles who never sent anything out at Christmas would send each of us a Valentine's card with a two dollar bill in it. Back in the 50's two dollars bought a lot of stuff.

    Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

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  2. Love your facts, Anna. And the Hamlet quote.
    Happy Valentine's Day to all.

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  3. Trust those Romans to come up with something that's so much...fun. ;-)

    Thanks, Anna. Hope you have a delicious Valentine's Day!

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  4. Trust those Romans to come up with something that's so much...fun. ;-)

    Thanks, Anna. Hope you have a delicious Valentine's Day!

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  5. Oops, sorry, seems Blogger is making multiple copies of me. :-)

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  6. I knew a bit of the history, but it's great to see it laid out like that. Thanks, Anna!

    I like Valentine's Day - we don't do anything big, but we always at least swap chocolates or a card. Sometimes dh will pick flowers from the garden, sometimes we'll have a special breakfast together. Whatever suits!

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  7. I love Valentines day! Thanks for sharing those facts Anna.

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  8. Hi Kaelee --
    What a great story and a wonderful memory! It's nice to hear Valentine's Day is special to you.

    Happy V Day!

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  9. Hi Robena --
    The Hamlet quote is great, isn't it? Happy V Day to you too.

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  10. Hi Michelle --
    Wonder where we'd be today without those busy Romans? I don't have any special plans for V Day...just some time with hubby once our little man goes to bed.

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  11. Hi Rachel --
    Sounds like a lovely way to spend Valentine's Day. We always at least swap cards.

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  12. You're welcome, Helen. Have a lovely Valentine's Day.

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  13. I so want it to be more about the LOVE than the commercialism, but my inner cynic says my inner romancer is deluding herself. Sad!!

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  14. Hi Marybelle --
    Oh, we all have those inner cynics! I hope your Valentine's Day is LOVEly!

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  15. Happy Valentine's Day, Anna! And everyone else!

    I'm enjoying your posts about traditions, Anna! I hadn't known any of the Valentine's Day history!

    :)
    Sharon

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  16. Great to read those traditions, Anna. The Romans have a lot to answer for! This is one of their better donations to our world, even if it has been taken over by the commercial world.

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  17. Anna, I'm a big fan of Valentine's Day! I'm also a huge fan of history, so thank you for shedding this light on a day we celebrate romance. And florists make a mint! =)

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  18. Hi Sharon --
    Happy Valentine's Day! I'm a bit of an ancient history buff...I always need to know the history of things.

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  19. Hi Sue --
    We defintely have a lot to thank the Romans for -- plumbing and underfloor heating come to mind (-: Thankfully gladitorial sports didn't catch on!!

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  20. Hi Robyn --
    Happy V Day! I loved reading your very romantic post. Hope you had a lovely day with your hubby.

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  21. Hi Anna,

    for me V-Day is ancient tradition ;)

    so many people still believe and waiting this moment ;)

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