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Valentine’s Day – Where did it begin?
14th of February, it’s a day for couples to illustrate their undying love through a recipe of mushy romantic cards, chocolates gifts fashioned into love hearts and a bottle or two of red. Perhaps more commonly referred to as Valentine’s Day. However, before all of these, now standardised, traditions appeared and cemented themselves in the holiday, where did it all begin?
Well, that is debatable. Valentine’s Day and its exact beginning is a very mysterious matter. However, there are two main legends.
The first and perhaps most commonly known Legend is set in Rome and deeply involved with the controversial Emperor of the time; Claudius II (referred to by his people as Claudius the Cruel due to his malicious nature and bloodthirsty campaigns). The Emperor was experiencing difficulty with military recruitment. His solution to this military recruitment dry spat, was to cancel and thereon ban all engagements and marriages within Rome, as he believed this to be the root to the problem.
However, Claudius overlooked a certain Saint when enforcing the ban. Saint Valentine was a Roman priest, whom with the help of his accomplice, continued with the practices of marriages despite the Emperors ban. Unfortunately, upon discovery of these secret marriages, Saint Valentine was sentenced to a rather brutal death - beaten with clubs and then head decapitation.
Ever the romantic, Saint Valentine is said to have fallen in love with the jailers daughter whilst imprisoned and awaiting his grave fate. Prior to his death (which was, surprise surprise, on the 14th of February) he left his love a letter, signed “From Your Valentine”.
The other fable also takes place in Rome (and they call Paris the city of love?). February 14th was, in that day and age, a day dedicated to honoring Juno - The Queen of Roman Gods and Goddesses. The subsequent day was the feast of Lupercalia which consisted of young Roman boys and girls being allowed to mingle, rather unlike every other day of the year, in which each gender led a very separate life. Each girl would be allocated a piece of paper, which they would inscribe with their name, and then place into a jar. Each boy would then select a jar, which would indicate which girl he would be spending the festival with. Often the two would fall in love and as a result, end up marrying.
And so there you have it, the beginnings of the day of love, February 14th, Valentines Day.
Don't forget the valentines gift for your loved one this year!
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