Everybody knows a least one person who views Valentine’s Day as a pointless holiday created by Hallmark and marketed toward sappy people who have nothing better to do than spend their hard-earned cash on chocolate and flowers. Heck, you might even be one of those people (or married to one). While there is an element of truth to the power of successful marketing, Valentine’s Day actually has a centuries-old past.
(Pixabay / rotten77)
The Man, the Myth, the Legend
Apparently Valentine was a popular name among disciples in Christendom’s early years, and historians can’t agree who specifically Valentine’s Day is commemorating. Valentine of Terni, a saint who was martyred in Africa, and Valentine of Rome are the major contenders for the Saint Valentine that inspired the holiday, stories, and traditions.
Most of the lore is associated with Saint Valentine of Rome (the pope declared February 14th as the Feast of Saint Valentine to honor his burial day). Some of the famous Valentine’s Day symbols that are linked back to Saint Valentine of Rome include:
- Paper Hearts: Some people believe that Saint Valentine gave paper hearts to believers and soldiers as a reminder to keep their heads high during Christian persecution.
- The Valentine Card: Some legends say that he restored sight to the jailer’s daughter and signed a card written to her as he went to his execution, “Your Valentine.”
- Romantic Love: Other lore claims that he performed illegal marriages to soldiers, though historians doubt that is accurate.
- Cupid: Many bishops wore an amethyst ring, and Saint Valentine’s allegedly had an image of cupid engraved on it.
Timeline of Events
269 CE – Saint Valentine of Rome died on February 14
496 CE – Pope Gelasius officially established The Feast of Saint Valentine
1300-1400 CE – February 14 started becoming a holiday associated with romantic love
1382 – Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the first poem that tied romantic love to Valentine’s Day
1415 – Valentine’s poetry started to grab hold
1784 – “Roses are red, violets are blue” poem first written
Late 1700s – People started sending Valentine’s cards in the mail, and giving flowers, candies, and cards became the norm
1847 – Mass produced heart-shaped cards started
1868 – Cadbury created heart-shaped boxes of chocolate
2010 – e-Valentines hit their stride instead of traditional paper Valentines
Gift Giving Traditions
The way different countries celebrate is both similar and wildly different. Billions of cards make their way to another’s hands each year, written by both children and adults. In the US, people spend an average of over $160 on their loved ones over weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Probably the most recognizable gift on Valentine’s Day is a heart-shaped box of chocolates. In 1868, Richard Cadbury had the ingenious idea to sell his family’s chocolate bonbons in a fancy box that could be repurposed to hold special mementos. Chocolatiers took that idea and ran with it, and now you can buy a heart-shaped box of bonbons from as little as $1 to upwards of $100.
It is unclear why chocolate was labeled the treat of choice to give on Valentine’s Day, but most people believe (or even insist!) that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. There isn’t any scientific evidence to support that theory (other than the sugar in chocolate causing temporary feelings of pleasure), but many historians point to some of the ancient Central American people who drank a hot chocolate beverage in preparation for romantic relations.
Back in the Victorian era, getting a Valentine’s card from a potential suitor along with a perfectly crafted bouquet using the language of flowers was about as steamy as things got. Nowadays, people’s gift preferences range from person to person, and they can be simple or elaborate. From a handmade card to lacy underthings to Valentine’s Day chocolate chip cookies to diamond jewelry, the possibilities are endless.
Another Holiday
White Day is a day that not nearly enough people celebrate, in my humble opinion. If you thought Valentine’s Day was commercialized, White Day started in Japan in 1978 strictly as a marketing gig. Held one month after Valentine’s Day, White Day is specifically set aside for people to send gifts back to the people who sent them Valentine’s presents in the first place. It started off with men sending marshmallows in reply to the women’s Valentine’s gift, but that has since shifted to white and dark chocolate responses. Another holiday for chocolate? Yes, please!
The Valentine’s Day holiday means different things around the world. Some cultures view it as a way to express appreciation to friends and family or to honor a friendship. Others think of Valentine’s Day as a special time of year to show their significant other that they care about them in a romantic way. Elementary-aged children spend hours poring over their Valentine’s mailboxes and crafting the perfect card for each person in their class. However you choose to celebrate – whether low key or elaborate – a little chocolate heart can go a long way.