History of February 14

Valentine's Day on February 14 is not an official holiday.

Nonetheless, that has not prevented folks from celebrating it as if it were.

Its observance has found its way into the hearts and the minds of many who delight in a day dedicated to lovers.

Its exact origin is unclear, even obscure, but there are indications that it originated from a combination of ancient pre-Christian practices and in honor of Christian martyrs named Valentine or Valentinus.

Holidays dating as far back as ancient history are thought to have influenced Valentine's Day, including Gamelion, Februarius and Lupercalia. They are based on Pagan practices or festivals.

Gamelion, observed in ancient Greece according to the Athenian lunar-solar calendar from mid-January to mid-February was known as the Month of Marriage. A ceremonial marriage of Zeus and Hera was celebrated to honor the tradition of marriage.

Februarius, the ancient Rome February, was the month for purification. The word is thought to derive from the Latin "februum" (purification); from "februa" (instruments of purification); or from "Febuus" (an obscure deity).

Most of the month was devoted to honoring the spirits of the ancestors. The practice of purification is also related to the Pagan festival of Imbolc or Candlemas, and is observed in early February. It should be noted that the Pagan view of purification pertains to the clearing away of what is old or no longer useful rather than related to the concept of sin. Sin, per se, is not recognized.

One theory attributes the Saint Valentine's Day origin to the occasion of Lupercalia in ancient Rome, about the third century. Lupercalia referred to "the feast of the she-wolf" or "the feast of purification by means of a goat" and was associated with the Roman gods Lupercus and Faunus. The festival was observed on February 15 and intended to ensure the fertility of flocks, crops and the people. At that time, wolves threatened the flocks kept outside of Rome. The god Lupercus was believed to protect shepherds and their flocks. In the fourth century, an annual rite of passage was also incorporated, also during the month of February, to honor the goddess Juno Februata. The names of teenage women were drawn by their male counterparts in random assignments for a year of dalliance beginning in March. After several hundred years, the prevailing authority of the Roman church sought to change the tradition, apparently to ban the practice and to replace it by having names of saints substituted instead. The participants were expected to emulate the qualities of the saint drawn by lot. As anticipated, this version was not popular and Lupercalia ceased.

Another theory of the origin attributes the feast day to the legend of a Saint Valentine. There is some historical basis for this; however, depending on the source, the references vary and mention any where from two to seven men who bore the name Valentine or Valentinus. There are supposed to be at least three martyrs recognized by the Catholic Church killed during the Roman Empire. One martyr was said to have been a priest and physician killed during the reign of the Emperor Claudius II. Claudius banned marriage during war time. The reasoning was that men with families made poor soldiers. The priest was said to have aided and abetted in performing marriages. He was executed on February 14, 269 A.D. Another Valentine was said to be a bishop executed for harboring Christians from persecution. The church is thought to have contributed to declaring February 14 a feast day for Saint Valentine by combining various martyrs into one.

Despite the uncertain and even debatable possible origin, it is apparent Valentine's Day is here to stay. After all, a day set aside for love and lovers has a mass, romantic appeal that few can resist!

By MeeWah Reynolds