The Alleged History of Valentine's Day or the Modern Hallmark Version

I recall my days in kindergarten and the projects for every occasion. Valentine's Day was not excluded. The idea of giving cards and candy to others on this day became embedded in my mind although I didn't know the origin of the tradition. At least in those young years we cut and pasted our way into V Day celebration. Throughout elementary school V Day became more expensive, because of 'mandatory' distribution of candy and cards to each of my classmates and teachers. I use the word mandatory, because although no one forced me to participate, if I did not, the others shunned me and I would be teased. Thus, I kept up the silly tradition of passing out boxes of candy hearts with messages like, "be mine," "you're cute" or "true love."

Then I was off to high school. I had a boyfriend and I had to give something special to him as well as sending Student Government sponsored carnations to my friends. Then there were gifts for mom, sister, grandma... After high school the expenses tripled as did my expectations. If my partner did not surprise me with dinner and roses and chocolate or a lovely piece of jewelry -- she/he were in the 'dog house.' As a loving girlfriend, I looked for the perfect gift that said I really care about you (or possibly I love you).

My younger sister still gets excited and buys into the commercial holiday. When I asked her if she would be giving her boyfriend anything, she replied, "Of course! Why wouldn't I?" Then without a beat, she followed up by saying, "He better get me something good this year."

I am not exactly sure when I became disgusted with the entire capitalist commercial holiday (like most other U.S. holidays) but I eventually decided I would no longer engage in this Hallmark holiday. Perhaps I am just cynical. Seeing commercials and decorations immediately following New Years got me feeling especially irritated.

My curiosity piqued and I decided to find out who this Saint Valentine was and why we celebrated him or her? After hours of research the results proved inconclusive. It became quite clear that somebody made loads of money encouraging this gift-giving day. Certainly card and chocolate companies and florists would take the biggest hit if we stopped buying into this farce of a holiday.

Discerning the conflicting information became the most frustrating part for me. The exact identity of St. Val is unclear, but could be one of three people. According to early martyr history, the first St. Val listed on the 14th February was a priest in Rome, the second was a Bishop in Interamna (which is now the town of Terni, Italy) and the last Saint lived and died in Africa. Would the real Saint Val please stand up?

The exact origins of V Day are unknown. There are several conflicting stories, though there is a common thread that runs throughout most of them. The feast of Saint Valentine is (supposedly) derived from Lupercalia, the Roman fertility holiday. Lupercalia however, was celebrated on the 15th of February.

The legend began with two virgins. Doesn't every pagan ritual? The virgins brought an offering to the cave of Lupercal. Two naked boys would then appear on the scene. As you probably guessed the obligatory sacrifice was next. The boys assisted in the sacrificing of a dog and a goat and would smear the blood on their foreheads. The festive occasion continued with the boys wearing goatskin loincloths and then running through the streets. To provide purification from infertility, curses and bad luck, the boys lightly slapped women with strips of goat skin as they ran through the city. The festival also included a lottery whereas the men picked names of available women from a box to choose their "love" during the holiday gathering. The fertility festival continued each year and spread to other countries as the Roman army invaded Europe.

As one may suspect, after some years, religious groups wanted to do away with the festival and deemed the holiday immoral. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius declared the fertility festival to be a pagan ritual and therefore unrecognizable by the Christian religion. The Pope chose Valentine to be the patron saint of lovers and created a new holiday that would honor him held on February 14th.

Over lunch this weekend ,I discussed the results of my quest for the valentine origin with my friend, Stina. She wasn't a bit surprised by my findings. Her response was:

"Isn't that what all Christian holidays are? They are based on some pagan ritual and then for religious reasons the church changes it."

I am not saying it is wrong to show somebody you care about her/him or to spend loads of money on your partner. However, why must it be only one day of the year, a time when somebody dictates [to me] it is appropriate? Can't we just do that any time of the year? I know I don't need to be so serious about it. By the way, Saint Valentine is not real. Does that remind you of any other holiday "heroes?"

Some fun facts:

* According to Hallmark's corporate website, on Valentine's Day it is estimated that 190 million cards are sent making it the second most popular card-sending holiday compared to Christmas when there are 2.2 billion cards sent. (That's a lot of paper; giving me another reason for not supporting the waste-created holiday.)

* Valentine's Day has the highest percentage of male card buyers, compared to other holidays where women purchase more cards.

* The first heart shaped box of chocolate was created by Richard Cadbury in the late 1800s.

Click here for more Huffington Post Valentine's Day coverage.

Comments

[Guitarsandmore]

Buy them a card! You need to do this even if they don't. Holidays are a test to see if you can do it right! It's like smiling, shaking hands, saying "hello, how are you". If you don't do these things people will think you are a social cripple or a psychopath. Buy a card! She/he will remember that YOU gave a card on Valentine's day. You must sign it and you must write in your own free hand a personal message in your own words that says something about your relationship.

A card is more essential than a gift! I have noticed over the years when giving gifts that it's not the gift they look for but the card to see what you say about them. Be clever and sweet and you earn big points.

If you can't be clever and sweet then just shop for a card that says what you would like to say if you were clever and sweet.

If you want to send a card on days other than holidays you are treading on thin ice. You can do this once in a great while but if you do it too much you come across like you are a little too cute, too slick, and are probably cheating behind her back. So just hit the holidays and a few special occasions.

[Cathexis]

Oh oh ... another subject has stopped salivating when Corporate Interests ring the bell ...

Maybe you & I will get adjoining cells at Guantanamo. ;-D

(Shoulda picked the blue pill ... ?)