Curiosity attack. I just looked up the history of Valentine’s Day and discovered that it is rooted in an ancient Roman fertility celebration called Lupercalia. (I think I hope this is true, lol.)
Apparently, it was reinvented by Pope Gelasius somewhere around 496, when he declared February 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day.
Maybe I rely on Google far too much but I love indulging my curiosity and being able to search for anything at any time…. I’m a big fan of the doodles, too! Enjoy.
12 Google Doodles for Valentine’s Day.
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Any sweet memories to share?
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6 Comments
Pamela Thompson
Hi Andrea, Thanks for sharing the info regarding the history of Valentine’s Day. I had no idea where and how it originated. I do indeed celebrate Valentine’s Day. I am a romantic at heart and always give my Sweetie a special card and take time to do something special with him. As well, my daughter and first born was born on Valentine’s Day so that too makes the day special. And would you believe my daughter married a man who was also born on Valentine’s. What are the chances of that! 🙂
minette2012
So fun Andrea. I am a fan of google, history and doodles, too!
barbparcellswritingalife
I used to crochet little pink teddy bears with a secret love message inside and tie a red ribbon around its neck. Then I would put them on the desks of my co-workers. I called them Love Bears. I also gave them to my grandkids.
kelleygrimes
My husband has traveled in February to New York for Toy Fair for the past dozen years and so we do not get to spend Valentine’s Day together. When my daughters were very young we started making Valentine’s cards for him and hiding them in his luggage. Lately I have been writing him love letters to open each day he is gone. He always leaves me a card and a gift and has a neighbor bring me over flowers. We have created a lovely tradition to honor our love and stay connected and I am deeply grateful!
Mihaela Lica Butler
Besides “fertility,” which somehow fits into the idea of romantic love, Lupercalia has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. It was a pastoral holiday and a spring cleansing ritual. It was held in honor of Lupa, the wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus (according to legend, the founders of Rome). They used to sacrifice goats and dogs to celebrate Lupercalia, then they smeared their foreheads with the sacrificial blood… so you see how there’s no way this festival is related to Valentine’s Day. But to answer your question, I celebrate Valentine’s Day out of respect for my husband, because of him. Since I am not Catholic, and my religion does not recognize the holiday, I only enjoy the pretty things (hearts, champagne) and I respect what it symbolizes.
Lea Tran
The origin of Valentine’s Day was always a mystery to me. Thanks for sharing what you learned about it!