B.A. (Journalism & Mass Communication) | Posted on | others
What exactly is the history behind the celebration of Valentine’s Day?
Fashion enthusiast | Posted on
We all celebrate Valentine’s Day today as the day of love and romance. And some of us do know about St. Valentine with whom, this day is associated. But there are only a few who know that there are more than just one or two reasons behind the celebration of this day.
(Courtesy: Irish America Magazine)
First of all, let me make it clear that the concept of Valentine’s Day is not Indian. It comes from Rome.
Now coming to the main legend associated with this day is that of St. Valentine and King Claudius II of Rome. It is said that the Roman emperor was of the opinion that unmarried young men made better soldiers than married men, and thus he outlawed marriage for young men.
St. Valentine then, who considered the decree to be unfair and unjustifiable started helping the young lovers to get married secretly. When Emperor Claudius got to know about it, he put the saint to death. It is in his honor, that Valentine’s Day is celebrated.
Following are some more reasons and legends associated with this day:
• Another legend tells us that Valentine was a Roman prisoner who was killed in an attempt for escaping from the prison. He used to write letters from the prison to his beloved (the prisoner’s daughter) which were signed as “From your Valentine”. The expression has gained large popularity in the modern conception of love and romance.
• Some Christian believers claim that Valentine’s feast day, celebrated in the middle of February, is the Christianized version of the pagan fertility festival, Lupercalia, which was observed on the 15th of February. This festival was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture.
The festivities of Lupercalia involve the stripping of goat’s hide symbolizing fertility. Women used to touch this hide which was believed to make them more fertile. Another practice was that of placing the written name of all the women in an urn, from which men used to choose and pair with the woman of the chosen name. The pairing often used to end in marriage.
• Another belief which was famous in France and England in the middle ages is that February 14 is the beginning of the season of birds’ mating and hence should symbolize the day dedicated lovers.
0
0
0