Valentine’s Day | Definition, History, & Traditions (2024)

FAQs

Valentine’s Day | Definition, History, & Traditions? ›

It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

Saint Valentine was discovered and imprisoned in a torture-ridden Roman jail, where he fell in love with a mysterious girl (believed to be his prosecutor's daughter). He sent her a love letter signed 'from your Valentine' right before his execution, thus originating the romantic sign-off still widely used today.

Valentine was eventually put to death when Claudius discovered what he was up to, according to History.com. Other accounts hold that it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, for whom the holiday was named, though it is possible the two saints were actually one person, according to Britannica.

1 John 4:7-12. Dear friends: let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

A valentine is a sweetheart: specifically, someone who receives a greeting or attention on Valentine's Day. There are many words for someone you like in a romantic way, such as sweetie, main squeeze, boyfriend, girlfriend, significant other, and special someone.

While the holiday has undergone secularization over time, its origins in Christian martyrdom and acts of love align with broader spiritual themes of compassion, selflessness, and devotion. For some, Valentine's Day serves as a reminder of the importance of love in both human relationships and spiritual practice.

At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day, and since then, February 14th has been a day of celebration—though it was generally more religious than romantic.

The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to record St. Valentine's Day as a day of romantic celebration in his 1375 poem “Parliament of Foules,” writing, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne's day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”

Despite the rich history surrounding Valentine's Day, today, this celebration is not without controversies. Some argue that the festivity has been excessively commercialized, becoming an occasion where consumerism prevails over the true essence of love and friendship.

However, many historians believe the day originated from the Roman pagan festival of fertility called Lupercalia, an event filled with animal sacrifice, random coupling and the whipping of women; not quite the romantic chocolate and roses day that we celebrate today.

Is Valentine's day against any religion? ›

Valentine's Day is the traditional day on which people express their love for each other; however, some religions refrain from celebrating Feb. 14 as a holiday because the origin of the holiday is not of their faith. While Christians celebrate this holiday, other religions feel the need to shun it.

In conclusion, from a Christian perspective, Valentine's Day provides an opportunity to celebrate Love and kindness rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Love is the foundation of all relationships, while kindness becomes its tangible expression.

Since the origin of Valentine's Day as a romantic holiday only dates back to the 14th century, the Bible doesn't have any specific messages about the day—but it does have a lot to say on the subject of love.

The phrase, "Will you be my valentine?" is used on Valentine's Day to ask someone if they want to spend the day together and exchange gifts. The phrase is not usually associated with asking someone to be in a committed relationship. ...

The symbol of love eventually became associated with Saint Valentine, who was said to have worn a heart around his neck while healing people with his good deeds. Ever since then, the heart has become one of the most famous symbols of Valentine's Day, along with roses and romantic gifts.

If that works for you, do it. But the biblical pattern teaches us that romantic love between husband and wife should be on display often and much. It isn't that celebrating Valentine's Day is too much; it is too little and weak. Christians, live your married years so that you don't need Valentine's Day.

It is observed in most countries as Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Week, spanning from February 7th to February 14th is a vibrant celebration of love and romance. Each day of this enchanting week carries its significance and is celebrated globally in different shades and colours. Couples eagerly await Valentine's Day to celebrate their love and affection for each other.

Enough confusion surrounds the true identity of St. Valentine that the Catholic Church discontinued liturgical veneration of him in 1969, though his name remains on its list of officially recognized saints.