As the crowned day for lovers fast approaches and the whole country looks like a red carnivore or heaven for bees, have you ever found yourself wondering, 'where did this tradition even come from?'
Well, if you have be prepared for a rollercoaster ride as we look into a few facts you probably didn't know about Valentine's day.
Interestingly, after interacting with a few people in the streets I noticed most people don't even know the origin story of one of their favourite 'holiday's' they're just in love with the 14th of February because they get to be spoiled rotten, post date night pictures and cute photos of them and their current boo.
Don't get me wrong though, I'm not anti-valentines just a writer chasing after history and facts.
February 14 is a day when couples look forward to meeting the high set societal expectations and impressing their significant other (and their friends, because you get bonus points for that) with social media pressures playing a factor in the type of gifts being sent out.
It's also the height (minus Christmas of course) of when single people, are reminding of their singleness with some feeling more lonely, sad, envious, and sometimes angry either at the universe or their ex who ruined their “could’ve been.”
What most don't know, as it has been lost in time, is this now acclaimed international lover's day was originally not a day for lovers but a memorial.
Valentine’s Day is originally a Christian traditional feast day that was set by the Catholic Church to honour not one but two Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine
Emperor Claudius II of the ancient Romans executed two men — both named Valentine — on February 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D.
Their martyrdom, through Pope Gelasius, was honoured by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.
People tend to justify modern valentines day by arguing with the idea that St. Valentine is the patron of love (even though he died loveless ironically.)
This is because, Valentine defied Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriage. The emperor thought it distracted young soldiers but Valentine continued illegally conducting weddings for couples in the spirit of love. He was caught and beheaded.
However, the cause of his death is still unclear as some legends claim Valentine was killed for attempting to help Christians escape prison in Rome.
Image: COURTESY
Whichever it was, we can’t deny acts of love were involved. But it was love for his fellow humans, love for all people not for "selfish gain"
But as the years progressed things started to change. Folk traditions began shifting from the significant religious feast celebrations and started associating the day with romance and love.
How you ask! Well there was a common belief in France and England that birds started their mating season on February 14 topped with the feasting that used to happened then cooperates soon commercialized the celebration in most regions of the world and thus the modern Valentine's day was born.
Fun fact: Flowers and chocolates might seem like the obvious and most sort out gifts but according to statistics, jewellery is actually the most spent on Valentine’s Day gift choice, followed by reserved/walk-in date nights at restaurants.
Even we choose to keep the patron of love ideology, the day's celebration then ought to embrace all the people in your life that you love and feel loved by. Not just set aside for your spouse or romantic partner because Valentine was selfless.
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