Where and how did Valentine's Day come from? Being the most beloved holiday of youth, it has a centuries-old tradition and an interesting history. However, lovers usually are not even interested in where and when the tradition associated with Valentines originated.
Valentine's Day, whose history and traditions go back to antiquity, 18 centuries ago, dates back to Rome, more precisely, to the feast of Lupercalia. On this day, everyone left aside their affairs and indulged in fun and love. But not quite erotic, but just people tried to find a life partner or a soul mate, which was often crowned with success. Usually, after this festival of eroticism in Rome, a huge number of new families appeared.
Valentine's Day, whose history originates from ancient Rome, is associated with many legends and traditions. It was during the celebration of the day of all lovers in Rome that the New Year came , marking the arrival of spring. In addition, the holiday was associated with fortune telling, and mystical predictions were believed not only by young people and girls, but also by serious politicians and business people. The range of fortune telling was quite wide - from trade to amorous affairs. And it is noteworthy that until today , the day of fortune-telling is considered that same Valentine's day. The story also tells that at about the same time period Panurgy was celebrated in neighboring Greece, that is, a celebration in honor of the god of fertility, forests and fields of Pan, who was forever in love with some kind of nymph. Just before spring arrived, the Roman venerable matrons made many sacrifices to the goddess of motherhood and marriage, Juno, who by the way in legends and myths was often associated with Faunus, the Roman prototype of Pan. And where is St. Valentine, the history of the holiday? Just all the ancient holidays had some roots associated with paganism. And now let's move on to Christian legends about the origin of Valentine's Day.
So, around the 3rd century, St. Valentine lived in the city of Ternia, located in the Roman state. The story associated with his personality is covered, in general, with darkness, but some points leave no doubt. So, his profession was one of the noblest, Valentine was a Christian priest. Endowed with all the qualities of virtue, the hero of the day of all lovers was known as a good and honest man. The time in which Valentine lived was connected with the rule of Claudius II, who drove the Christians and honored only his legionnaires, warriors. According to his decree, none of them had the right to start a family and marry, so as not to stop thinking about military glory and valor, as well as about the good of the Roman Empire. And the young Christian good priest, whose name was Valentine, secretly married soldiers from all, not paying attention to the decree of the emperor. And according to legend, a noble young man reconciled quarreling lovers, helped to win the hearts of girls and wrote letters for those who did not know the letter. However, for a long time this could not continue, and soon Valentine was arrested and executed.
Valentine's Day, the history of the holiday does not end there. According to other legends, the priest fell in love with the blind daughter of his jailer and managed to heal his beloved thanks to his knowledge of medicine. According to another version, the girl herself fell in love with Valentine, but the one who made the vow of celibacy did not reciprocate and only the night or morning before the execution did our hero write her first and last love letter. The touching story of the poor heroic priest was not forgotten, and he was soon called the saints and dedicated a feast to him.
And where does the Valentine? Despite the fact that they are probably called so after a letter from Valentine written by her lover. Initially, valentines were written secretly, with the left hand, so that the recipient did not guess who they were from. And always in the shape of a heart, a symbol of love. So, Valentine's Day has a sad story. However, thanks to the Roman priest, all lovers in the world have a day of love and happiness.