The interesting origins of Valentine’s Day
As the 14th February approaches, you may have found yourself wondering why we celebrate Valentine's Day – what is its significance, and how did it begin? Though in the modern day this celebration is often twinned with thoughtful flowers, grand gestures and romance shared between couples, it actually originates with one particular person in Ancient Rome – St Valentine.
Who was St Valentine?
As is often the case with long-standing traditions, there are plenty of myths surrounding the origins of Valentine’s Day. To understand the real origins of Valentine’s Day, we need to remember that the full name of this romantic celebration is actually “St Valentine’s Day” or “the Feast of St Valentine”. Valentine (or Valentinus, as he’d have been known back then) was a Christian saint, and in fact may actually have been two people whose stories have been amalgamated into one.
Written accounts suggest that the figure we commemorate was a clergyman in 3rd-century Rome. He’s said to have helped Christians who were being persecuted by the Romans and, according to some accounts, he even performed Christian wedding ceremonies for soldiers, who were forbidden to marry. He became a martyr in 296 AD on 14th February. According to one tale, he restored the sight of his captor’s daughter, writing her a letter signed “from your Valentine” before he was executed.
How did Valentine's Day become associated with romance?
One 18th-century theory suggests that Valentine’s Day rose to prominence as an attempt to replace the Roman fertility festival known as Lupercalia, but academics have since dismissed this idea. They point to the fact that 14th February only became associated with romance in the High Middle Ages, courtesy of one Geoffrey Chaucer, at a time when courtly love was de rigueur.
Chaucer’s mention of Valentine’s Day, in his 1382 work 'Parlement of Foules', fitted with the belief at the time that mid-February was when the birds came together in pairs:
“For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make”.
In modern English, this means: “For this was on St Valentine's Day, / When every bird cometh there to choose his mate”. The mention here suggests an established tradition, but in fact this is the first reference to it as such, and it’s thought that the association with romantic love was something that began with Chaucer.
Why do we give flowers on Valentine's Day?
It wasn’t until the 18th century that people began exchanging cards or “Valentine’s” on Valentine’s Day, a practice that flourished in the Victorian period when postage became more affordable, along with sending chocolates and, of course, flowers. The custom began in England, but quickly spread.
When were roses first associated with Valentine's Day?
Roses and romance have long gone hand in hand. It's no coincidence that rose is an anagram of Eros, the greek god of love. Legend has it that it was named by Aphrodite, the goddess of love and Eros's mother, in homage to her son. The Romans also enjoyed roses, and brides were said to wear them as crowns on their wedding day. In the Victorian times, when florigraphy – the language of flowers – gained in popularity, red roses were officially defined as a symbol of love, romance and passion.
But for those who want to go a little ‘off-piste’ with their choice of Valentine's Day flowers, there are plenty more romantic feelings to express in floral form. White and red roses together, for example, symbolise being ‘united’, while red tulips express undying love and passion. White roses can express romantic sentiments such as wistfulness and purity, while pink carnations symbolise a woman’s love.
If you want to surprise the one you love this Valentine’s Day, take your pick from our selection of romantic Valentine's Day bouquets and make this 14th February one they’ll remember.
