Billions of lovebirds in mainly western (or influenced) countries observe Valentine’s Day on February 14 every year as a celebration of their affection for one another; traditionally exchanging cards, gifts, flowers and chocolate.
Valentine’s Day
What is particularly interesting is that Saint Valentine, for ‘whom’ the holiday is named, is actually a collection of martyred saints of ancient Rome, with no particular association to love or desire; only vague references remain (a feast for one of the Saints Valentine falls on February 14 in the Roman calendar; nothing considerable about this saint is known).
Saint Valentine
The origins of February 14’s association with romantic love can be traced back to the days of English poet Geoffrey Chaucer – best known for his work ‘The Canterbury Tales’.
Parlement of Foules (1382)
‘For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery byrd comyth there to chese
his make.’
Geoffrey Chaucer
A major icon of this holiday is the kindly cherub Cupid – shooting his bows into the hearts of the lonely. Unlike the Saints Valentine, Cupid is indeed linked with romance; in Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of erotic love and sex, equated with the Greek god Eros.
Cupid
While the Saints Valentine and Cupid find their origins in Roman mythology, they did not have clear connections until Chaucer and his circle manufactured a link - confirming yet again that perception is reality. As for this writer and her cronies…we will be celebrating my annual Anti-Valentine's Day fete with food, drink, tawdry conversation, drink…culminating in a pajama party full of drink.
Valentine’s Day
What is particularly interesting is that Saint Valentine, for ‘whom’ the holiday is named, is actually a collection of martyred saints of ancient Rome, with no particular association to love or desire; only vague references remain (a feast for one of the Saints Valentine falls on February 14 in the Roman calendar; nothing considerable about this saint is known).
Saint Valentine
The origins of February 14’s association with romantic love can be traced back to the days of English poet Geoffrey Chaucer – best known for his work ‘The Canterbury Tales’.
Parlement of Foules (1382)
‘For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery byrd comyth there to chese
his make.’
Geoffrey Chaucer
A major icon of this holiday is the kindly cherub Cupid – shooting his bows into the hearts of the lonely. Unlike the Saints Valentine, Cupid is indeed linked with romance; in Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of erotic love and sex, equated with the Greek god Eros.
Cupid
While the Saints Valentine and Cupid find their origins in Roman mythology, they did not have clear connections until Chaucer and his circle manufactured a link - confirming yet again that perception is reality. As for this writer and her cronies…we will be celebrating my annual Anti-Valentine's Day fete with food, drink, tawdry conversation, drink…culminating in a pajama party full of drink.
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