History has shown that February has long been a month of romance centered around Valentines Day. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honor Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.
Another Valentines myth is that of Cupid. Cupid was the god of love in Roman mythology. The name Cupid is a variation on Cupido (“desire”), and this god was also known by the name Amor (“love”). It was commonly believed that Cupid was the son of Venus – the Roman goddess of love – and this association between Venus and Cupid was quite popular in myth, poetry, literature, and art. Cupid often depicted as winged child or baby who carried a bow and quiver full of arrows. One of the most memorable myths about Cupid involves his relationship with the beautiful woman named Psyche.
According to popular Christian legend the celebration of Valentine’s Day is based on St. Valentine. More great sites at Valentines Day directory. He was a priest who lived in the third century during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II the Cruel. In an effort to overcome diminishing numbers in the Roman army, Claudius II banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. He was convinced that married men were unwilling to join his ranks due to commitments to wives and children. Claudius II came to the conclusion that single men made better soldiers. Valentine deemed the decree cruel and unfair. With the help of other Christian martyrs, he secretly married young lovers in private ceremonies until his actions were discovered. Claudius II sent Valentine to prison and condemned him to death.
Historians have traced Valentine greetings as far back as the Middle Ages, when sweethearts versed and sang their valentines. It wasn’t until the early fourteenth century that written valentines became popular. In Europe, people exchanged paper valentines instead of valentine gifts, as we do today. These valentines were especially popular, lovers created handmade cards, using colored paper and inks to make them special.
