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In the 1840s, Esther Howland, the first to produce commercial valentines, sold an astonishing $5,000 worth of cards in her first year of business. This kicked off the Valentine’s Day frenzy in the United States. Today, more than 1 billion cards are purchased each year in the United States for Valentine’s Day.
So why did the celebration of Valentine’s Day begin? Where did the traditions come from?
The exact origins of the holiday are uncertain; however, many scholars agree that it comes, at least partially, from the Roman Feast of Lupercalia.
This ancient celebration, held each year on Feb. 14, honored Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage. During the festivities, women would write love letters and put them into a large, ornate vase. The men would then randomly draw a letter from the vase and court the woman who wrote it. This practice continued until the 18th century, when people decided they would rather choose their valentines, as opposed to leaving it up to chance.
There is also debate over St. Valentine, for whom the holiday is named. There are multiple saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred on Feb. 14. By far, the most popular choice for whom the holiday refers to was a 3rd century Roman priest. This St. Valentine performed secret marriage ceremonies, violating the orders of the Roman emperor, Claudius II. According to legend, Valentine sent his jailer’s daughter a letter signed “From Your Valentine” before he was executed on Feb. 14 in 270 A.D. The phrase caught on, and is still commonly used today.
The practice of giving written valentines began in the 15th century. The credit for writing the first valentine is typically given to Charles, Duke of Orleans. Early valentines were handcrafted and much more elaborate than the valentines of today. They often were decorated using a combination of silk, lace, flowers, feathers, and gold leaf. Cupid, the Roman god of love, was featured on many of the cards.
The heart is a common symbol of Valentine’s Day because, in ancient times, it was thought to be the origin of all emotion. Red roses are another common symbol of Valentine’s Day; the ancient Romans believed they were the favorite flower of Venus, the goddess of love. Today, the red rose is the most popular flower bought for Valentine’s Day in the United States.
The tradition of using an “X” representing a kiss has its roots in medieval Europe. Men who were uneducated signed contracts with an “X” and then kissed the mark to prove their willingness to uphold the agreement.
Today, it is customary to give your sweetheart flowers, candy and a card on Valentine’s Day. However, most people don’t stop and think about the history of the holiday and the reason why they are braving the frigid February weather and trudging out to stores to pick up these gifts. Whether you are a hopeless romantic or a cynic, the history of Valentine’s Day will appeal to everyone.
Sarah Strack is a junior at Onalaska High School.
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