💘 The Origin of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, also known as St. Valentine’s Day, is believed to have roots in both Christian tradition and ancient Roman customs.

In the 3rd century AD, Roman Emperor Claudius II is said to have executed two men named Valentine on different February 14ths. These men were later honoured as martyrs by the Church, and the date became known as St. Valentine’s Day. One version of the legend tells of a priest named Valentine who secretly performed marriages for young couples, defying the emperor’s ban — a romantic gesture that ultimately cost him his life.

By the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I merged St. Valentine’s Day with the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, a celebration marked by wild rituals tied to fertility and love. Despite attempts by the Church to Christianise the event, the underlying themes of physical love and celebration endured.

During Lupercalia (13–15 February), Roman men would sacrifice goats and dogs, and use their hides to whip women, believing it would enhance fertility. According to historians from the University of Colorado, the rituals involved heavy drinking, nudity, and a lottery in which young men would draw women’s names from a jar to pair off for the festival — often resulting in lasting relationships or marriage.

Though its roots were far from romantic by today’s standards, Valentine’s Day evolved over time into a celebration of sweet affection and love. Today, it’s recognised and celebrated around the world — and nothing symbolises it more perfectly than the classic red rose.