Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. But the ancient Romans had bloodier, drunker and more naked notions to mark the occasion. The untold truth about Valentine's Day: From violence to modern-day romance The romantic holiday has been celebrated for centuries, but the history behind it is much darker than red roses. Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated every February 14; this year Valentine's Day falls on a Friday. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts The Truth About Valentine’s Day. You are looking at the skull of an ancient Roman Martyr named Valentine which resides in the Roman church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Whether or not it’s the skull of the martyr who inspired Valentine’s Day is a matter of some debate, to put it mildly. Valentine’s Day, in fact, originated as a liturgical feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr, or perhaps two. So, how did we get from beheading to betrothing on Valentine’s Day? Early origins of St. Valentine. Ancient sources reveal that there were several St. Valentines who died on Feb. 14. St. Valentine, a name that is synonymous with love and romance across the globe, lived at a time when the Roman Empire was at its zenith. He is often best remembered for the act of marrying couples in secret defiance of the Roman Emperor's bans. However, the truth about St. Valentine is far more complex, woven from a mixture of historical fragments, religious tradition, and folklore. This has What's the dark truth about Valentine's Day? The holiday's origins, according to npr.com , date back to ancient Rome where the feast of Lupercalia was celebrated from Feb. 13 to 15. One thing’s for certain - Valentine’s Day is a billion dollar business. The National Retail Federation estimates that US consumers will spend $27.4 billion for the holiday. Similar to the modern Valentine's Day holiday, the Roman festival was celebrated in the middle of February and involved feasting and pairing off partners. However, unlike Valentine's Day, it was a bit of a raucous celebration filled with debauchery, blood, and sacrifice. For example, it was tradition for the hide of a sacrificed goat to be cut It is no news that Valentine’s Day is all about romance, love, roses, hugs, and kisses. It is a day to celebrate the power of unconditional love and endearing human connections. Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, and the rest is this history. "Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, The real truth behind the origins of Valentine’s Day may surprise you. The Feast of Lupercalia Originating in ancient Roman times, the feast of Lupercalia was a pagan festival held on February 15. Valentine’s Day is the holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. It may have had beginnings in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the coming of spring and included fertility rites and other activities, but the origin of the holiday is vague at best. At the end of the day, Valentine's Day stands as a far gentler event than the ancient Lupercalia. We see it through the lens of heart emojis and carefully curated dates. But the essence remains. We seek love, belonging, and renewal. We come together in big or small ways to affirm that life carries hope. The Truth About Valentine’s Day. What Is The Real Story Behind Valentine’s Day? Valentine’s Day derives from a combination of ancient Christian and Roman traditions, though there are two main theories that underpin it. Updated February 14, 2022 at 7:49 AM ET. Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. But the origins of this festival of candy and cupids are actually dark Become Our Patreon: to: Rational Believer: http Valentine’s Day is the day of love. On February 14, more than any other day of the year, romantic couples shower their better half with gifts and tokens of appreciation. Much about Valentine’s These days, Valentine's Day – celebrated in not just the United States, but Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia – is a universal holiday for lovers to demonstrate their The truth behind the legend of St Valentine is one that’s long flummoxed historians. Legends of a beheaded priest, jailed bishop, illegal weddings and animal sacrifice all form part of the mystery.
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