From Goat Hides to Chocolates
The Wild
History of Valentine’s Day
Reading Time
Category
6 Minutes
History & Culture
What if Valentine’s Day wasn’t just about chocolates and roses? What if this beloved holiday carried whispers of ancient rituals, secret love letters, and even matchmaking lotteries? Let’s dive into the extraordinary evolution of Valentine’s Day—a tale filled with surprises, romance, and timeless traditions.
Ancient Beginnings: Lupercalia—Love and Luck?
Before Cupid aimed his arrows, the Romans were busy celebrating Lupercalia, a festival of fertility and purification held from February 13th to 15th. This raucous event involved animal sacrifices, rituals to ward off evil spirits, and—most intriguingly—a matchmaking lottery where men and women were paired for the duration of the festival. Roman men would also whip women with goat hides, believing it would enhance their fertility. Some historians suggest that these pairings occasionally led to lifelong unions.
But not everyone loved this wild celebration. By the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I sought to Christianize the festival and declared February 14th as Saint Valentine’s Day, aligning the date with love while distancing it from its pagan roots. The day’s namesake likely honors one of two martyrs named Valentine—Valentine of Terni, a bishop martyred on February 14th, 269 AD, or Valentine of Rome, a priest also associated with acts of faith and martyrdom. Both are commemorated on February 14th, a date that has become significant in Christian tradition. Over time, their stories have become intertwined, contributing to the legends surrounding Saint Valentine.
Who Was Saint Valentine, Really?
Here’s where history blurs with legend. Was Saint Valentine a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II by secretly marrying young couples? Or was he a bishop performing miracles of compassion? Over time, these stories merged, including the tale of a Valentine who fell in love with his jailer’s blind daughter. According to this legend, he restored her sight and signed a farewell note to her with the now-famous words, "From your Valentine." While this romantic tale is likely apocryphal, it beautifully symbolizes love, sacrifice, and devotion, cementing Saint Valentine’s legacy as a patron of love.
Medieval Romantics and Poetic Love
Fast forward to the Middle Ages, where Valentine’s Day blossomed into a celebration of romance. The idea of associating February 14th with love is often credited to Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English literature, who penned Parlement of Foules in 1382. In this poem, he linked the day to birds choosing their mates, inspiring the tradition of courtly love—a chivalric expression of admiration where knights wrote love letters and performed grand gestures for their beloveds.
The first known Valentine’s message dates back to 1415, when Charles, Duke of Orléans, wrote to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée
This translates as, “I am already sick of love, my very gentle Valentine.”
His heartfelt words—preserved in the British Library to this day—mark the beginning of the Valentine’s card tradition.
By the 15th century, Valentine’s Day had become an annual feast day in France, celebrated with banquets, poetry, and love letters.
Revolutionizing Love: The Rise of Valentine’s Cards
By the 18th century, Valentine’s Day had evolved into a celebration for everyone, not just the elite. Handmade cards, adorned with romantic symbols like flowers, love knots, lace, ribbons, and poetry, gained popularity. Those less creatively inclined could purchase books with pre-written verses to woo their lovers.
But it was Esther Howland, known as the "Mother of the American Valentine," who turned these cards into a booming business and a commercial success. Her elaborately designed cards were the precursor to the Valentine’s Day industry we know today.
The industrial revolution in the 19th century brought mass production to Valentine’s cards, making intricate lace designs and embossed images widely accessible. By 1913, Hallmark Cards produced their first Valentine’s card, marking a pivotal moment in the commercialization of the holiday.
This era also gave rise to some of Valentine’s most beloved traditions. Red roses, symbols of passion tied to the Roman goddess Venus, became iconic. Meanwhile, Richard Cadbury added a touch of sweetness to the occasion by introducing heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, cementing the Valentine’s Day customs we cherish today.
Victorian Quirks and Vinegar Valentines
Victorian valentines were often elaborate works of art, featuring lace, ribbons, and beads. Some even doubled as proposals, such as one card containing a gold ring hidden in a paper chest of drawers. However, not all Valentine’s cards were romantic. "Vinegar Valentines" were insulting cards designed to mock the recipient’s appearance or habits, adding a cheeky twist to the holiday.
Tech Love: Valentine’s Day in the Digital Era
The digital revolution has reshaped Valentine’s Day, offering countless ways to express love. COVER elevates this tradition with its innovative digital greeting cards, seamlessly embedded in their reusable fabric gift wraps. These cards allow loved ones to send heartfelt, personalized video messages, photos, or written notes, creating deeply intimate connections. Imagine a gift wrap that not only carries a physical present but also a digital keepsake, filled with memories and emotions.
What’s more, the journey of the wrap itself becomes part of the story. Recipients can track its travels, seeing how their gesture of love spreads joy and smiles across cities, countries, and even continents. This blend of tradition and technology redefines how we celebrate, making Valentine’s Day more meaningful and unforgettable in the digital age.
The Enduring Legacy of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day endures because it celebrates something universal: the human need for connection. Whether through grand gestures, quiet moments, or innovative expressions of love, it’s a day to pause and cherish the relationships that bring meaning to our lives.
So, as you unwrap a box of chocolates or send a digital greeting card, remember you’re participating in a tradition that’s centuries old. And maybe, just maybe, you’re making history of your own.
What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day tradition? Share your stories with us!