By Sean Delaney
Valentine’s Day may now be associated with cards, chocolates, and candlelit dinners, but its origins tell a much older and more surprising story. Long before heart-shaped boxes and handwritten notes, the roots of the holiday can be traced back to ancient Rome.
One of the earliest influences was Lupercalia, a mid-February festival tied to fertility and renewal. It was a lively, sometimes chaotic celebration meant to mark the slow transition from winter to spring. Over time, as Roman society changed and Christianity spread, many pagan traditions were either replaced or reimagined.
]By the fifth century, February 14 was designated as a day to honour St. Valentine, a name shared by more than one Christian martyr. While the details of their lives remain unclear, stories of compassion, secret marriages, and devotion helped shape Valentine’s legacy as a symbol of love and commitment. This shift helped steer the holiday away from its ancient rituals and toward a more reflective, personal meaning.
The romantic tone of Valentine’s Day was further shaped during the Middle Ages, when writers and poets linked February 14 with the belief that birds began pairing for the season. These ideas found their way into poetry and storytelling, gradually cementing the day as a celebration of romance.
Today, Valentine’s Day continues to evolve. Whether it’s about partners, family, friends, or simply taking a moment to show appreciation, the holiday has grown beyond romance alone. Its long journey—from ancient customs to modern traditions—reminds us that love, in all its forms, has always been worth celebrating.