Every February 14th, hearts flutter, Roses bloom, and Chocolates fly as the world celebrates Valentine's Day.
Valentine Day is known worldwide as a day of romance, love, and the exchange of gifts between loved ones. But beneath the glitz and romance lies a surprisingly complex history, interlaced with threads of mystery, martyrdom, and even a touch of pagan revelry.
The Legend of St. Valentine
The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied emperor Claudius II Gothicus. and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
The First Valentine
According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl—possibly his jailor’s daughter—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.
The Pagan Festival of Lupercalia
The earliest possible origin story of Valentine’s Day is the pagan holiday Lupercalia, which was celebrated for centuries in the middle of February. The holiday celebrated fertility, with men stripping naked and sacrificing a goat and dog. Young boys would then take strips of hide from the sacrificed animals and use it to whip young women, to promote fertility.
According to Britannia encyclopedia and Wikipedia they note that Pope Gelasius I recasted this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine's Day. Although the Roman Catholic Church still recognise St. Valentine as a saint of the church, in 1969 he was removed from the General Roman Calendar, this is because of lack of reliable information about him.
The Transformation of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day has only recently been celebrated as the day of love. The day of love was traditionally March 12, the Saint Gregory 's day, or February 22, Saint Vincent's Day. The patron of love was Saint Anthony, whose day has been celebrated on June 13.
Fast forward to the Middle Ages, where courtly love flourished, and birds were believed to choose their mates on February 14th. This association with lovebirds, coupled with Chaucer's poem (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer, "The Parlement of Foules",a dream vision portraying a parliament for birds to choose their mates. This poem Cemented the day as a time for love notes and romantic gestures.
By the 18th Century, handwritten valentines, often adorned with lace and verses, became a popular way to express affection. The victorians took it a step further, exchanging elaborate cards and gifts, solidifying the commercial aspect we witness today. However, much about how the holiday came to be remains a mystery, details lost to time and transformed as romantics retold history.
Valentine's Day on Campus
Today's, valentine Day transcends borders and cultures. Fast forward to the present day, Valentine's Day has taken on a new Life on campuses worldwide including Kenyan universities. It's a day when secret crushes are revealed, love confessed, love celebrated.
From heart- Shaped cookies in the Cafeteria, Flower giving, Red dress code, Valentine themed events, the spirit of love is palpable on campus. However to it's extreme extent breakups are witnessed.
According to Wikipedia, "The celebration of Valentine's Day has been banned in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia due to beliefs the holiday conflicts with Islamic culture." Also other countries like Iran have restrictions for valentine celebration.
As we celebrate Valentine's Day, we are reminded of its rich and varied history. From the brave defiance of a Roman priest to the fertility rites of Lupercalia, and the transformation of the holiday into a celebration of romantic love, Valentine's Day is a testament to the enduring power of love.
So, as you plan to exchange gifts and words of love this coming Valentine's Day, remember the rich tapestry of history that has led to this moment. let the day be a reminder to nurture the love in your life, be it with a partner, family, or friends.
Send a heartfelt message, offer a warm embrace, or simply share a smile. For in the end, the greatest love stories aren't found in grand gestures, but in the quite moments of connection that make our hearts truly soar. And in the spirit of St. Valentine, let your actions be guided by love, compassion, and a deep respect for the power of connection.
Happy Valentine's Day!
The Writer, Harun Mugambi is a Third Year Journalism and Mass Communication student at Chuka University
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