The Origins of Valentine's Day and the Reasons We Celebrate It

Love it or loathe it, Valentine's Day has deep historical roots. While it's now celebrated with chocolates, gifts, and romantic dinners, the holiday's origins are far from the sweetness seen in rom-coms. From a martyred saint to a massacre, this is the lesser-known history behind the day of love.

When Does Valentine’s Day Fall This Year?

Here’s a quick refresher: Valentine's Day is always celebrated on February 14, though the day of the week shifts each year. In 2025, the holiday will fall on a Friday for the first time since 2020.

How Did Valentine’s Day Come About?

Some historians trace its origins to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated every February 15. The festival marked the arrival of spring and fertility, involving animal sacrifices, much drinking, and possibly a matchmaking ritual where men and women drew names from a jar.

As Christianity spread, pagan traditions lost favor. In the late 5th century AD, Pope Gelasius I banned the celebration of Lupercalia. He is often associated with instituting St. Valentine's Day, a religious feast day, to replace it, though there’s no solid evidence to confirm this. Ultimately, the Christian holiday supplanted the wild Lupercalia celebrations.

Who Was St. Valentine?

St. Valentine is known as the patron saint of lovers, epileptics, and beekeepers, among others, but the true story of his life remains a mystery. Various legends exist about a Christian figure named Valentine or Valentinus, who was martyred on February 14 during the 3rd century AD.

One version of the story suggests St. Valentine was a Roman priest and physician who refused to renounce Christianity in favor of paganism and was executed by Emperor Claudius II around 270 AD. Before his death, he miraculously healed the daughter of his jailer. According to the legend, Valentine fell in love with her and, just before his execution, sent her a letter signed "from your Valentine."

Another tale claims St. Valentine was sentenced to death for secretly marrying soldiers, despite an edict from Emperor Claudius II that prohibited them from doing so.

The details surrounding his life are so unclear that the Catholic Church removed his feast day from the General Liturgical Calendar in 1969, although he is still recognized as a saint. Regardless of the truth, his feast day ultimately replaced the pagan Roman festival of Lupercalia.

How Did a Christian Holiday Transform Into a Contemporary Celebration of Love?

Before the 14th century, St. Valentine's Day was mostly about honoring a Christian martyr. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer is credited with linking St. Valentine's Day to the concept of romance. Living during the Middle Ages, the age of courtly love, Chaucer saw romantic expressions—such as poems, songs, and paintings—as a celebration of partnerships. In his 1382 poem "The Parliament of Fowls," possibly written to celebrate King Richard II's engagement, Chaucer depicts birds gathering on St. Valentine’s Day to select their mates. The goddess Nature announces: "You know that on Saint Valentine's Day / By my statute and through my governance / You come to choose — and then fly your way — / Your mates, as I your desires enhance." From that point forward, Valentine’s Day became a day devoted to romantic love. So, we owe our current view of the holiday to poetry—the ultimate art of romance.

However, the romantic holiday isn't without its dark moments. During Prohibition in Chicago, on February 14, 1929, seven men were murdered by a gang led by Al Capone. This event, known as the Valentine’s Day Massacre, became a pivotal moment in Prohibition history, leading authorities to crack down on the mobs and gangs that had emerged to control illegal activities like alcohol distribution.

Why Do We Send Valentines?

The tradition of love letters dates back centuries, and if the story of St. Valentine is to be believed, his love letter to a jailer's daughter might be considered the first valentine. But historians suggest that the valentines we know today started to emerge in the 17th century in Europe and the U.S., possibly inspired by the German custom of exchanging Freundschaftskarten, or friendship cards. These early valentines were often handmade, sometimes lavishly adorned with lace and ribbons, and featured heartfelt messages. As printing technology and postal services evolved, valentines grew into a major industry. Nowadays, according to Hallmark, around 145 million valentines are sold annually, not including boxed sets often used in classrooms. Yet, DIY Valentine's card ideas remain a popular and meaningful way to express affection.

What exactly is Galentine's Day, and how does it connect to Valentine's Day?

Galentine's Day, also called Palentine's Day, is a contemporary twist on Valentine's Day that was popularized by Amy Poehler's character, Leslie Knope, on the TV show Parks and Recreation. Celebrated on February 13, it is dedicated to honoring the friendships that matter most in your life. Galentine's Day gifts have become a wonderful way to show appreciation for those friends who make a difference.

Is Valentine's Day an Official Holiday?

Valentine's Day is celebrated across the globe, including in countries like the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, South Korea, France, Argentina, and Mexico, among many others. However, it is no longer recognized as an official Catholic holiday. Sadly, for those looking forward to it, it is not a public holiday or a designated day off either.

What's the Meaning of Valentine’s Day?

Throughout history, Valentine's Day has evolved from a religious feast to a celebration of romance. In its early days, it even served as a ritual honoring fertility and the arrival of spring. With the many changes it has undergone over time, the meaning of Valentine's Day is now open to interpretation. You can opt for no celebrations at all, indulge in some chocolates or flowers, or show love and gratitude to anyone in your life—whether they're coworkers, romantic partners, friends, or family.

Valentine's Day Fun Facts

Looking to impress your friends and family with your knowledge of Valentine's Day (or perhaps win a trivia contest at the local pub)? Take a look at these fascinating Valentine's Day fun facts:

• The National Retail Federation reported that in 2024, Americans spent an average of $186 on Valentine's Day gifts, totaling about $26 billion across the country.
• While most people exchange heartfelt messages for the occasion, in Victorian times, some used valentines to reject a suitor, known as a vinegar valentine.
• More than 250 million roses are cultivated for Valentine's Day, as per the Society of American Florists, with nearly two-thirds of them being red roses.
• The iconic heart shape symbolizing love first began appearing in Medieval art.
• If you don't make a huge deal out of Valentine's Day, you're not alone. A YouGov survey found that only 30% of Americans considered it a truly special occasion, with many preferring holidays like New Year's Eve, Halloween, Labor Day, and Memorial Day over the day dedicated to love.

What Are Some Fun Things to Do for Valentine's Day?

You can celebrate the day of love in any way that feels right for you—even if it's simply through self-love. Here are a few ideas that might spark some inspiration.

• Go out for a lovely dinner
• Enjoy a romantic movie (whether at the theater or snuggled up at home)
• Prepare an elegant romantic meal at home (or maybe just a delicious Valentine's Day dessert)
• Throw a Valentine's Day celebration
• Create some fun Valentine's crafts with your family
• Cozy up with a steamy romance novel
• Pen a heartfelt love letter (and be sure to include a love quote or two!)
• Set the mood with flattering candlelight (using some of our favorite scented candles)
• Spoil yourself with a relaxing bath (whether solo or shared!)