14th of February- how much do you really know? Caitlin Mullane, Coloma Sixth Form.

The 14th February is recognised globally as Valentines Day, and although many people celebrate it they do not know the origins of where the “holiday” springs from. 

People, mainly in western countries, celebrate Valentines Day by purchasing gifts such as flowers and chocolates for their loved ones, this has been a tradition dating back to the 5th century. 

The day of romance we call Valentine's Day is named for a Christian martyr- Saint Valentine.

The holiday's roots are in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine's Day.

There are many legends surrounding St. Valentine, one being: The Roman emperor, Claudius II, had prohibited marriage for young men, claiming that bachelors made better soldiers. Valentine continued to secretly perform marriage ceremonies but was eventually apprehended by the Romans and put to death. Another legend stated: Claudius imprisoned Valentine and he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. Before he was executed, he allegedly sent her a letter signed "from your Valentine."

So this is where the celebration derives from, I hope you learnt something. 

Caitlin Mullane, Coloma Sixth Form.