Valentine's Day is also known as Valentine's Day, and more commonly referred to as Valentine's Day. The history of the holiday dates back to ancient times, and is closely connected with ancient Roman pagan practices. The precursor to Valentine's Day is brutal pagan holiday Lupercalia, which was also celebrated on February 14th. On this day, the Romans made sacrifices to the goddess of feverish love and the god Faun. After the ceremony, the Romans made scourges from the skins of sacrificial animals, with which they went out into the streets and beat all the women they met with them. It was believed that spanking helped infertile women acquire the ability to bear children. Subsequently, after the Christianization of Rome, the Lupercalia were banned.

Who is Saint Valentine

The personality of St. Valentine over the centuries has managed to acquire beautiful legends. Most historians agree that the ancestor of the holiday of all lovers was a field doctor and priest Valentine. He lived in the third century BC and served under the Roman Emperor Claudius II.

© Sputnik / Natalia Seliverstova

Lovers in Gorky Park in Moscow

Claudius II was a cruel dictator, and at some point came to the conclusion that unmarried men are not useful for the state, and therefore it is better for them to fight on the battlefield. For this reason, he soon forbade men to marry and girls to marry.

Valentine was a field doctor, and personally saw the suffering of soldiers, therefore, under the cover of night, he secretly married lovers. Soon, rumors reached the emperor, and Valentine was sentenced to death for his activities. In prison, Valentine met the warden's blind daughter Yulia and fell in love with her. Intoxicated with feelings, he wrote the first Valentine in history - a letter signed "Your Valentine". Unfortunately, the letter reached Julia only after the execution of Valentine, and he was executed on February 14, 269. And as the legend says, after reading Valentine's letter, Julia regained her sight.

Valentine's Day Customs

In America, on Valentine's Day, it is customary to give brides a red and white heart-shaped caramel. The red light symbolizes passion, while the white light symbolizes devotion and sincerity. In Italy, they also give each other sweets on Valentine's Day, and in France they delight each other with expensive jewelry.
In Japan, Valentine's Day is more of a men's holiday - only men receive gifts.

© Sputnik / Alexey Malgavko

Signs for Valentine's Day

There are several folk signs for Valentine's day. For example, if on this day you look at the sky and see a sparrow there, then you should beware of dishonorable suitors. And if a tit flies over you, then the husband will be faithful and family. A similar sign is associated with dogs: if a dog runs up to you on Valentine's Day and starts sniffing your boots, then the future husband will be a family man and henpecked. And if you meet a cat, then your spouse will be windy and unreliable.

Of course, Valentine's Day is the most romantic holiday when you can express your feelings to another person and get recognition in return. Everyone exchanges gifts, sweets and cards with gentle words about love. Let's plunge into the history of this holiday together and remember why Saint Valentine became the patron saint of loving hearts and what he did for all lovers. There is a sad and at the same time beautiful legend about the origin of this holiday. True, she has several different versions.

The first mention of Valentine's Day

Version one

The story of Saint Valentine began in ancient Rome. He was a young Roman priest who, even under pain of death, helped lovers become legal spouses and secretly betrothed them. The thing is that in those distant and harsh times, all single men were soldiers of their state and its ruler Julius Claudius II forbade them to marry. He believed that in this way they would better fight for new lands, and would not be distracted by thoughts of family and beloved wife. Soon the authorities nevertheless found out that Saint Valentine was violating the ban, and he was sent to prison and sentenced to death. While in prison, he himself met his love, she turned out to be the beautiful daughter of one of the guards - Julia. It was to her that the first valentine was written, in order to express his feelings, the priest in love wrote and gave a message for the girl, which he signed “Your Valentine”. Unfortunately, Julia found out about the bright feelings of the guy only after his execution, which took place just on February 14, 270.

Version two

There is another version of this story. According to which, the patrician Valentine was a Christian, and was imprisoned for his unknown ability to heal even the seriously ill. People did not forget his kindness and handed him notes with words of support and gratitude. By chance, one of them ended up in the hands of the head of this prison, and in the hope of a miraculous cure, he asked to cure his blind daughter of a serious illness. Saint Valentine managed to help her, and he himself was executed in the morning. The girl eventually saw the light and became a beauty of extraordinary beauty.

Fertility Festival

According to another legend, the history of Valentine's Day began in ancient pagan times. In order to increase the birth rate, people arranged unusual holiday eroticism and fertility. It was held in ancient Rome and was called the Lupercalia festival in honor of the fertility god Luperka (Faun). On February 14, the girls wrote down their names on paper and put them in a common basket. Then the guys, relying on their lucky chance, took out at random a note with the name of their future chosen one for the whole next year. And on February 15, a noisy crowd of naked men and young priests had to run around the sacred hills and whip everyone who gets in their way with belts. Women were especially willing to expose themselves to goat-skin rods, as they believed that this rite would certainly bring them fertility.

Where and how did valentines appear

The Lupercalia feast soon died out, but a similar tradition eventually revived in England. In the Middle Ages, young girls and boys chose their life partner in a similar way. They wrote notes to each other with names, and a relationship was born between the matched couples.

And so this romantic custom appeared, to exchange love confessions and notes. The peak of the popularity of valentines falls on the 18th century, when people gave each other home-made colorful cards with tender poems.

How Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world

In all countries, Valentine's Day is perceived differently, respectively, and it is not celebrated in the same way everywhere. But one thing remains unchanged, all lovers, regardless of their location, consider him truly theirs.

Rome is the origin of Valentine's Day. All Italians on February 14 tend to come to Verona and kiss the statue of the famous Juliet. It is believed that in this way a person becomes more successful in love. In Italy, Valentine's Day belongs only to lovers. Italians do not skimp on gifts on this day and present dear hearts to their ladies. Jewelry with diamonds. It is also traditional for Italians to give each other candies with hazelnuts on this day, each of which contains a declaration of love in four languages ​​of the world.

France is called the country of love and freedom for a reason. Indeed, on Valentine's Day, it is customary here to make a marriage proposal to your beloved! It is considered a great happiness to receive a box with a treasured ring from your chosen one on this day. The French also organize large-scale festivities on February 14, called "Une Loteried Amour", which in translation sounds like: "Drawing of love." Each participant of the holiday, regardless of whether it is a man or a woman, what age he is and what country he is from, must approach any open window and shout out the phrase: “Become my Valentine!”. Statistics say that alliances formed on this very day become very strong and durable afterwards.

In the UK, all the inhabitants of the country love this holiday so much that they send romantic cards not only to their soul mates, but also to all friends, relatives and even their beloved pets.

If you have been unsuccessfully dreaming of getting married for a long time, feel free to go to Canada! After all, only there, a girl who confessed her tender feelings February 14, any man, in any case, will receive a positive response. Otherwise, a substantial fine is imposed on the man, which should be enough for a shopping therapy for the young lady after the refusal.

Americans celebrate Valentine's Day in a special way. A month before the holiday, tables are booked in restaurants, crazy romantic surprises are invented. Marzipans are considered a traditional gift in America for Valentine's Day.

For Russia, this holiday is quite young, because it appeared with us only in the early nineties. But this did not prevent him from gaining wild popularity among the Russian people and will fall in love with everyone. After all, even at school, children willingly exchange cards and confessions on February 14th.

Traditions and signs of Valentine's Day

• It is customary not to sign a valentine and even try to change the handwriting so that the loved one himself guesses from whom he received the message.
• Since ancient times, there has been a belief that the first person you meet along the way on this day is the one who is destined for you by fate.
• The couple should spend Valentine's Day together, you can't quarrel, and swear even because of the little things. Because it can lead to a breakup in the future.
• Happy hours are not observed, so if you are in love, forget about the hours on this day and enjoy the wonderful moments spent together.
• A traditional gift for Valentine's Day are paired items. It can be anything: figurines, mugs, pendants, etc. The main thing is that half of the gift is always kept with you and not passed on to anyone, so your couple will always be strong.
• There are some signs that on a normal day would make us very upset, but on February 14 they bring only happiness! If you broke a mirror on Valentine's Day, don't be upset, it means that you will have a happy and strong life. family life. And if you forgot something when leaving home, expect some good news from your loved ones. Also, if on this day, your loved one turns out to be the first guest, then the whole next year you will be inseparable from this person.
• There are signs that do not carry anything good. For example, tripping on Valentine's Day can lead to separation from a loved one. To prevent this from happening, stomp several times in the place where you stumbled. Also on this day you can not lose personal belongings, so as not to lose a loved one. Be sure to try to find the lost item.

Do not forget that the most important gift is always attention, love and care. So it doesn't really matter what you present to your loved one on Valentine's Day, the main thing is sincerity and mutual feelings. Then you will never be able to separate some minor signs.

Valentine? Love is in the air, and people confess their feelings. To do this, you don’t even need to pronounce words, you can say everything with an eloquent look, and you will undoubtedly be understood. Romance, flowers, gifts, heart-shaped sweets and burning loving eyes... Do you know where and when Valentine's Day came to us?

history of the holiday

This holiday has existed for a very long time - more than 1500 years. So, on February 14, Valentine's Day in Europe began to be celebrated somewhere from the 13th century. America joined in the celebrations in 1777. The countries of the former Soviet Union discovered Valentine's Day only in the early 90s.

So, whose holiday is this and why is it called that?

This story begins in 269 in the Roman Empire. Then the state was ruled by the stern emperor Claudius II. And the main goal of the Empire was the conquest of lands. The sovereign-commander was faced with the problem of a shortage of soldiers in the army for military campaigns. And Claudius II found an explanation for this - marriages. The emperor came to the conclusion that the legionnaires, whose wives and children are waiting at home, are less interested in the victories of the Motherland. Where should they think about conquests when they need to take care of feeding their families. And Claudius II found a wonderful, as he thought, way out: he issued a decree prohibiting marriages. Thus, he tried to maintain the soldier's morale.

However, the ban on creating a family could not prevent men from falling in love. And, fortunately for the legionnaires, there was a man in the empire who supported them. It was a Christian priest from the city of Terni - Valentin. Despite the emperor's strict ban, he secretly held wedding ceremonies for legionnaires with their lovers in his church. Probably, Valentine was a real romantic, since he not only connected people by marriage, but also assisted lovers in every possible way: he helped compose tender messages and gave flowers on behalf of the legionnaires to the objects of their passion.

Of course, everything came out and became known to the Emperor. And since in the Roman Empire the law was above all, the activity of the priest was sharply suppressed. Valentine was put behind bars. And soon the emperor signed a decree on the execution of the priest.

The last days of Valentine, which he spent in prison, are shrouded in a halo of romance. It is said that the daughter of the head of the guard was in love with him. However, Valentine, who gave to answer her feelings, could not. On the last night before the hanging on February 13, he sent her a letter in which he told about his feelings. The girl read the message only after the execution of her lover.

Saint Valentine

Valentine's Day is named after him. Of course, there is no evidence that everything was exactly as described above. After all, no material evidence of this has been preserved. But it is clear that the young Christian priest died in the name of love. And in his short life he was allowed so much of this feeling: love for beautiful woman, to God, to the people he helped. He was a wonderful man with a huge soul, striving to do good. No wonder Valentine's Day is named after him.

Later, the Catholic Church considered Valentine a Christian martyr who died for the faith, and recognized him as a saint. And in 496, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th to be Valentine's Day.

However, with the reform of worship in 1969, St. Valentine was removed from the Catholic liturgical church calendar. They did the same with some other saints, about whose life there was no reliable information. However, even before that time, the church did not particularly approve of the celebration of this day.

Celebrations of love

Valentine's Day is a holiday that has existed for over 16 centuries. However, since the 18th century and much earlier, a wide variety of national celebrations of love have been known.

There is a version that the first was the Roman festival of eroticism Lupercalia. It was held in honor of the goddess Februat, who was considered a symbol of "feverish" love. The purpose of this celebration was to find your other half. Therefore, after its completion, many new marriages were created.

The day before the holiday of Lupercalia, which was held on February 15, they celebrated the triumph of the Roman goddess of motherhood, marriage and women - Juno. On this day, all unmarried girls had to write and put it in a large urn. And the men - pull out the letter. It was believed that every man had to look after that beauty, whose ardent and passionate message he got.

AT Ancient Greece The holiday was called Panurgy. It was a festival held in honor of the deity Pan, who was considered the patron saint of herds, fields and fertility. Pan was portrayed as a little merry fellow, playing the flute and chasing the beautiful nymphs with his love.

All of the above is a pagan contribution to Valentine's Day. Whose holiday served as the basis, it is not possible to determine. Most likely pagan traditions different peoples found their reflection in the modern celebration.

valentine

At the end of the 17th century, an English court chronicler recorded that Valentine's Day is a holiday during which lovers can exchange passionate notes, give each other all kinds of gifts, such as rings, sweets, gloves, cakes, etc. But it was important condition: all souvenirs are in the shape of a heart. Whether this was actually so is unknown, but, most likely, it was from there that the tradition of sending special messages on such a day - valentines - came from.

Today, this word refers to love letters in the form of hearts. You can't sign a valentine. The recipient himself must guess who it is from.

On Valentine's Day, people want to show their feelings and tenderness to their soulmate. They give roses symbolizing love, send cute cards, make an offer. This is the celebration of love all over the world. But every country has its own Valentine's Day traditions.

and Italy

On February 14, it is traditional for both the French and Italians to give flowers and gifts. The difference lies, perhaps, in the choice of the latter.

In France the best gifts Jewelry is considered on Valentine's Day. In extreme cases, jewelry is also suitable. The French were the first to come up with original and popular all over the world congratulations on Valentine's Day today - rhymed quatrains. France is a country of love. And its inhabitants justify such a name. February 14 is an abundance of flowers, gifts, color pink and declarations of love.

An Italian holiday is a sweet day. Traditionally, it is customary to arrange a sweet treat for your loved ones. Therefore, cakes, sweets, chocolate, yogurt and other goodies are used.

Love and Germany

What is Valentine's Day in Germany? You will be surprised. But February 14 for the Germans is a holiday for the mentally ill.

On this day, divine services are held throughout the country, where people can pray for the health of mentally ill loved ones, as well as for the repose of Valentine's soul. Orderlies decorate the wards and corridors of psychiatric hospitals with scarlet ribbons. Therefore, if you see a beautifully decorated building on this day, you should know that this is a "psychiatric hospital".

But in recent times German youth strive to imitate the rest of the world. And let unofficially, but still celebrates the holiday of love. In Germany, a pig is added to the traditional European symbols of celebration. Various figurines in the form of this animal, chocolates, Stuffed Toys and much more.

Celebrations in the USA and Canada

The traditions of Valentine's Day in America are basically similar to those in Europe. But still, the main gift for loved ones on this day is red roses. Statistics showed that in the States on February 14, 20,000 roses are sold per minute. And more than a million of these beautiful flowers are bought per day!

Children also rejoice in the holiday - the script for all school productions and plays. The guys dress up as angels and distribute valentines addressed to both classmates and teachers. By the way, there are a lot of weddings in the USA on this day. Especially popular is the famous city of Las Vegas, located in the state of Nevada.

In Canada, on February 14, a girl can propose to her beloved man. And if he decides to refuse, sanctions await him: from a fine to imprisonment! This does not apply to those representatives of the stronger sex who have already found their soul mate. But if a person is free and decides to refuse a lady in love with him, he will be dragged to the "jailhouse".

Love Festival in Britain

Real English gentlemen give their ladies roses. And definitely scarlet. And women who have not yet found their lover prefer to do fortune telling. It is believed that if you stand near the window on the morning of February 14 and look at the empty street, then the first passerby who appears on the horizon will look like a future husband. If the girl has time to call him, then he can even become one.

The English are famous for their quirks. They congratulate not only their soul mates, but also their pets. Horses and dogs are especially fond of. On February 14, you can buy heart-shaped food in pet stores to please your pets.

Love Day in Japan

This holiday in Japan is somewhat similar to our day on February 23rd. Japanese men on this day receive much more gifts than women. The girls give their lovers wallets, razors and the obligatory Honmei chocolate. Such sweet gifts appeared thanks to the largest confectionery factory with the same name. It is believed that chocolate "Honmei" can only be given to the most beloved man. So it's kind of a confession.

In Japan, a competition is held on February 14 every year. Young people rise to a special podium and shout words of love to their girls, as much as they can. Of course, the winner will receive a valuable prize.

Love Traditions of Denmark and Holland

On this day, festive parties are held throughout Denmark dedicated to St. Valentine and all lovers. Numerous concerts, game shows, exhibitions are arranged. The whole country is celebrating. The Danes have interesting tradition. On Valentine's Day, men send a dried flower with which the beloved is associated. So girls learn a lot about themselves and about the tastes and fantasies of their chosen ones.

If you really want to get married, you need to go to Holland. There is a tradition there that on February 14, if a girl made an offer, she cannot be refused. Of course, tying a man in marriage against his will is unlikely to succeed. But even if the offer is refused, then there is an opportunity to ask the chosen one for a silk dress. And any brand and for any price. No man can refuse this. The only condition is that the dress must be red. It is believed that only such an outfit can console an outcast woman. So the Dutch in any case will not remain in the loser.

friends day

In Estonia and Finland it is Friendship Day. Of course, lovers also celebrate it. But the peculiarity of the holiday lies in the fact that real friends also receive cards and gifts. This is done so that almost everyone can join the holiday, and not just happy lovers.

One way or another, but on this day, as well as all over the world, people send valentines, cute little things, gifts, soft toys, sweets and other gifts made in the shape of hearts. Flowers are less popular here, as practical Finns and Estonians prefer material expressions of their feelings of love and friendship.

The ban on love

Iran and Saudi Arabia are the only countries in the world where Valentine's Day is officially banned. The traditions of the holiday are considered pernicious and pernicious here, embarrassing young minds. Saudi Arabia even has a Commission for the Prevention of Sin and the Promotion of Virtue. It was she who issued a decree banning the celebration of Valentine's Day. The commission concluded that "this Western holiday extols man's original sin."

Therefore, on February 14, all shops and supermarkets in the country are not entitled to sell flowers, valentines, plush toys and any other attributes of the holiday. And anyone who decides to celebrate this celebration will face a huge fine.

Valentine's Day in Russia

As mentioned above, in Russia Valentine's Day is celebrated not so long ago. However, the holiday has already managed to please many. Especially those who are in love. Russia has already managed to have its own holiday traditions. This day is perceived as a celebration of joy and love. In all corners of the country, lovers send valentines, present gifts and flowers, arrange romantic evenings by candlelight and dates under the moon.

By the way, Russia also has its own Valentine's Day. Orthodox holiday called Valentine's Day. Russians celebrate it This holiday is a tribute to the legendary love of Fevronia and Pavel. And in 2008, he declared the official fidelity and love.

Every year, Valentine's Day is gaining more and more popularity in our country and is already becoming an absolutely familiar date in the series of the most beloved holidays. Moreover, precisely February 14, on Valentine's Day, love is recognized not only loving friend other people, but also close relatives and friends. According to tradition, on this day it is customary to give each other valentines. These can be ordinary postcards, with the image of little cupids, flowers, hearts and other cute attributes.

The Legend of Valentine's Day

According to the main legend of the holiday of Valentine's Day- Valentine appeared back in 269 AD, when the Roman emperor Claudius II was preparing to once again conquer and conquer the whole world. But there was one big flaw in his ambitious idea - the tyrant's army was too small. With this problem, Claudius decided to fight in the bud and considered that the reason for the failures of his army was the family life of the soldiers, and that is why he issued a law prohibiting soldiers from marrying throughout their service. Family, wife and other burdens are too distracting from important state affairs, Claudius believed, and therefore the first thing is the planes, and the girls - then. Moreover, Claudius II himself, according to his contemporaries, loved girls, and often and a lot. Here is such a hypocrite.


However, all the soldiers resigned themselves to the new law and began to diligently engage in service, but there was one rebel among them who did not agree with the vile law. As you might guess, the name of this troublemaker was Valentine. The young priest already then believed that it was better to make love, and not war, and contrary to the decree of the emperor, he massively married lovers. As soon as Claudius found out about such a daring act, he immediately ordered the execution of the culprit.

Continuation of the history of the origin of Valentine's Day

Expecting his fate, Valentine did not waste time in vain and on the eve of the execution, he fell in love with the daughter of the jailer. I must say that the girl was very beautiful, but blind from birth. A practicing alchemist managed to cure the beauty of the disease and years later she was able to see the world, and at the same time the good Valentine, who managed to cope with the disease. On the eve of the execution, he decided to send a message to his beloved, where he confessed his feelings and signed simply - “Your Valentine”. This message became the very first Valentine in the world.


The execution of the priest took place on February 14, 269. For disobeying the decree of the emperor, Valentine was beheaded. Many years later, the Catholic Church elevated him to the rank of saints and in 469, on the eve of the bicentenary of the execution of Valentine, Pope Gilasius decided that from now on, every year on the day of the execution of the priest, all the lovers of the world receive their own holiday - St. Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day Traditions

The tradition of celebrating Valentine's Day its roots go back to the 12th century and have been celebrated in Western Europe for 800 years. With the first settlers, the holiday migrated to North America, where the saint has been venerated since the end of the 18th century. In our country, the popularity of St. Valentine came with independence and the collapse of the USSR.


On the eve of the holiday of Valentine's Day, thousands of lovers are racking their brains - how to surprise your soul mate and what kind of surprise to prepare. Of course, it's nice to receive a colorful Valentine's card with a touching confession written on it, or to give a decorative heart with cupids, but, as they say, you also want something more substantial.
For example, practical Americans came up with Give sweet gifts to your soul mates on Valentine's Day. At the beginning of the 19th century, on Valentine's Day, men always gave their ladies a variety of marzipan sweets, as well as caramels made in the shape of this very heart.


Colors for sweets were also chosen special - red and white, symbolizing red, bright passion and white purity of feelings. On sweets, the names of a loved one and confessions were applied. Progress did not stand still and instead of one "heart" candy, it became customary to give whole sweet sets, usually sweets were placed in a special heart-shaped box.

Valentine's Day in different countries:

How is Valentine's Day celebrated in England?

If we turn to the traditions of celebrating Valentine's Day in different countries world, it is interesting that in England men Choose your own Valentine. On pieces of paper, they wrote the names of the girls, then mixed them in a hat, and then drew them at random. Something from the category of a sports draw, only instead of a future rival for the competition, men pulled out a partner - and a girl, for example, with the name Rebecca, suddenly became Valentina for this particular man.

Valentine's Day in Italy

Italians, like Americans, have turned Valentine's Day into a sweet holiday and give each other cakes, pastries and sweets.

February 14 in France

The French prefer something more spectacular and give various jewels. By the way, it was the French who came up with the idea to give each other beautiful messages in the form of poems. Apparently, the point here is not so much in the coherence of the quatrains, but in the very language in which it is performed. As is known, French recognized worldwide as the language of love.

Finnish Valentine's Day

Hot Finnish guys decided to turn Valentine's Day into International Women's Day, or rather, into its small branch. On this day, only women in Finland receive gifts.

Japan February 14th

And in Japan, as always, everything was turned upside down on this day it is customary to congratulate men, and the most popular gift for Valentine's Day is some men's accessory.

Valentine's Day in Poland

Our neighbors, the Poles, were the luckiest of all that day. It is in their country, or rather, on the territory of the Poznan metropolis, that the holy relics of Valentine are located. There is also a miraculous image of the saint, to which thousands of pilgrims annually turn for help and blessings. And as a rule Saint Valentine refuses no one, continuing to work miracles hundreds of years later, after his departure to another world.

Personally, I have only one opinion about the origin of Valentine's Day - it was invented and popularized by flower girls, confectionery manufacturers and manufacturers of souvenir cards. They also need to earn money on something, and income from the attributes of love and attention to the opposite sex is unstable - on St. Valentine's Day, the acquisition of Valentine's attributes is mandatory. But everything, of course, is not so simple ... The origin of this holiday "is rooted" (a classic phrase!) in past centuries and has a completely different history than that imposed on us by the media.

"Castle" valentine

I'll start with disappointment for the fair sex - no young priest named Valentine, who secretly betrothed young couples during the reign of Claudius II and suffered for it, actually existed! Accordingly, there was no love between the priest Valentine and the blind, cured by him, the guard's daughter Julia, there was no suicide note-valentine with a declaration of love. A story that is extremely popular in the media and among manufacturers of souvenir and chocolate paraphernalia for Valentine's Day is a tale sucked from the finger.

Roman goddess Juno

But what really happened? And here's what - on February 14-15, Ancient Rome celebrated two major holidays, the first was dedicated to Juno, the wife of Jupiter and the supreme goddess of the Roman pantheon, the second was called Lupercalia and was partly dedicated to the wolf-nurse of the founders of Rome - the brothers Romulus and Remus, partly - to God Faun, among whose numerous nicknames was the name Luperc. Lupercalia was a special Roman holiday, incredibly licentious in modern terms, but completely normal for the mores of the ancient Romans - it was a kind of festival of eroticism, its participants were partially or completely naked.

Roman Lupercalia

The prehistory of the holiday of Lupercalia is as follows - in 276 BC, Rome was struck by an incomprehensible for its reasons and a huge wave of mortality among newborns, the great city was threatened with extinction ... The families of the Romans, who had less than 3 children, and those families that had no children generally subjected to mass censure, they were considered cursed. And on February 15, immediately after the day of honoring Juno, the celebration of Lupercalia was scheduled, held at the walls of Rome in the place where, according to legend, the she-wolf raised Romulus and Remus. It all started with sacrifices to the gods, then belts were cut from the skins of sacrificial goats, young men half-naked and smeared with sacrificial blood took them and marched to the walls of Rome, where Roman women of childbearing ages were waiting for them. The young men mercilessly beat the Romans with belts, who believed that each blow increased their chances of conception and childbirth. I repeat - the picture of the celebration of Lupercalia looks wild for us, but for the ancient Romans everything was in the order of things.

Capitoline she-wolf with Romulus and Remus

On the night between the celebrations of Juno and Lupercalia, there was a custom among Roman youth, somewhat similar to the celebration of St. Valentine's Day today. In ancient Rome, the upbringing of boys and girls was carried out separately, they practically did not see each other. On the eve of Lupercalia, the girls wrote their names on pieces of paper and put them in a large bowl, and the guys took them out in turn - the girl whose name was on the stretched paper sheet became a couple for the guy during the holiday and for a year after it, they could freely meet. Subsequently, many couples who formed by chance before the Lupercalia holiday were united by marriage.

As the power of the Catholic Church and the papal throne grew, the popes did everything possible to erase the pagan gods and the celebrations dedicated to them from the memory of the people. As in the case of All Saints' Day, the holidays of Juno and Lupercalia, which were very popular among the Romans, were abolished, instead, in 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I introduced a new Catholic holiday - St. Valentine's Day, appointing it to February 14th. However, in 1969, Pope Paul VI abolished St. Valentine's Day, because it was not clear to which Valentine or Valentine it should be dedicated - in the history of Catholicism there were three great martyrs with such names.

Candy valentines are a super profitable business, but only once a year

It turns out that for 43 years now, Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, is a popular secular holiday that has nothing to do with religion. Well, so what - but it’s quite cheerful and filled with its own paraphernalia, albeit profitable for merchants from “Valentine's Day”.