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Valentine's Day

© Connie Krochmal

For centuries, people have celebrated Valentine's Day. Though it may have originated as an ancient Roman feast, it eventually came to be associated with a Roman Catholic feast day on February 14th to honor two Roman martyrs. Both of these were called St. Valentine.

The origins of this holiday came from the ancient Romans. They held this fertility festival of Lupercalis on February 15th. The holiday began with a sacrifice of goats and a dog. The priests in charge of this event were known as Luperci. Some of them carried out the ritualistic sacrifice. Then, two of the priests were led to the alter where their foreheads were touched with the bloody knife. Next, the blood was wiped off with a piece of wool dipped in milk. Following that, a sacrificial feast took place. Finally, thongs were cut from the skin of the sacrificed animals, which the Luperci held as they ran around the walls of the old city. They were charged with and could convey fertility. A blow from the thong supposedly could cure sterility in women.

In Catholic history, you'll find several variations in the spelling of the saints' name. They are known both as Valentine and Valentinus. Traditionally, their festivals fell on February 14th. One of these was a Roman priest. The other was the bishop of Terni. Apparently, they both lived during the same period-the third century A.D. Strangely enough, they both died on the same day.

Eventually St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers, though there was originally no direct association between the saint and the lover's festival other than the fact that both take place at about the same time of year.

During the Middle Ages, there were many customs associated with this holiday. They served special foods, which were referred to as foods of love. Among these were fruits, meats, and delicacies. For this occasion, they decorated with love lanterns. Basically, these resembled jack-o-lanterns. They were made of fruits or vegetables with firm textures. The centers were hollowed out to hold a candle, and a smiling face was carved on the outside of the item.

The people wore detachable love sleeves as part of their costume. By doing so, they expressed their love for a particular individual.

In modern times, this holiday has become transformed, and basically consists of bestowing gifts on loved ones. Roses have become the quintessential Valentine's gift. In addition to cut roses, people also buy mixed flower bouquets, carnations, and other single-stemmed cut flowers. As a general rule, men usually buy cut flowers. On the other hand, thirty percent of the women making purchases will buy either potted plants or dried flowers. There is also a difference in the buying patterns of men and women. While men buy for either their wives or significant others, women also purchases gifts for other relatives, including mothers and daughters.

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