Valetine’s Day is officially over, a holiday that we are reminded of as soon as the new year starts as retailers display their plushies and boxes of chocolates for your significant other, but as quickly as it comes around it ends.
The funny fact is, these gifts are out on sale for a month and a half, but there are people still running around on Valentine’s night hunting for the perfect present; here is to hoping much of the relationship population bought their gifts on time.
However, this does not exclude the single population from buying gifts for their family, best friends or themselves.
February 14 will forever be the day dedicated to all-things-hearts, but do people know the truth behind the annual holiday? Is there anyone who thought about why we celebrate it or why the day is associated with hearts and flowers and all-things-red?
Fear not, Cupid, this will give people a small insight into what Valentine’s Day is all about, there is no need for the arrow to come out. A visual lesson is available too; The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina includes a full episode about Lupercalia traditions in the world of witches.
Did you know?
The mythical Roman tale of brothers Romulus and Remus play a part in Lupercalia origins; the name Lupercalia is the old mythological name for Valentine’s Day which was celebrated from February 13 -15. A she-wolf is translated to lupa in Italian language. Romulus and Remus were supposedly brought up by a she-wolf until a shepherd found the children in the cave called Lupercal. Afterwards, it was believed that priests held ceremonies at the cave for Lupercalia.
Did you know?
Valentine’s Day is named after the patron saint, Saint Valentine with the Feast Day being on February 14. On Britannica, it is written that, “the legend states that Saint Valetine defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from war,” thus the reason why Valentine’s Day is symbolised with love.
Did you know?
The celebrations of Lupercalia were nothing like the celebrations we have at present; there was no going out to dinner, cinema dates or buying teddy bears. “The festival was originally known as Februa, meaning purifications or purging’s, which in turn gave way to February, the month of the festival and a named deity.” During Lupercalia, cities were purified by promoting health and fertility. “It was a bloody and violent celebration that included animal sacrifice and random match-making in hopes of warding off evil spirits and infertility.” Men chose women’s name from a jar and they had to couple with one another for the majority of the festival, but some ended up falling in love and marrying.
Did you know?
Cupid, who is the God of Love, is known to have kickstarted the heart association with Valentine’s Day with his bow and heart-shaped arrow that could change people’s emotions. “Valetine’s Day at present still uses some of Lupercalia’s symbols such as, the colour red; which symbolised blood sacrifice, and the colour white; which signified the milk used to wipe away the blood and to represent new life and procreation.”
Rachel Garvey is a Co-Editor for Features for Student Independent News for the year 2023/24. She works full-time, but dedicates her free time to writing and being involved in SIN. Rachel has been a contributor to SIN since 2017.