The Truth Behind Valentine's Day

Everyone knows Valentine’s Day is around the corner, but not everyone knows why we celebrate the holiday.

Valentine’s Day was not always called Valentine’s Day. It was originally called Lupercalia Day, an event celebrating spring and fertility. Lupercalia Day was represented as a celebration of love in the fourteenth century. And in ancient Greece, it was a celebration of god Zeus and goddess Hera’s marriage. To the Catholic religion, it was a day of feast. 

“I think Valentine’s Day is a nice encouragement for a show of appreciation to those we care about, but I also think we shouldn’t need a special holiday to tell us to show that appreciation," Avery Hanes (12) said."It should just be natural to do so.” 

The name Valentine comes from Saint Valentine. There are many legends as to who Saint Valentine was, and they all deal with love. One is about how Saint Valentine helped soldiers get married; another is about Saint Valentine being locked up and sending love letters to his jailer's daughter. By the fifteenth century, the name Valentine was used to describe a lover in poems, songs and, of course, love letters. In the mid-nineteenth cards were being manufactured and sold in stores. 

“Valentine’s Day is for everyone," Aaron Wayt (11) said. "You don’t have to be in a relationship to enjoy it. Most people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends."

Today Valentine’s Day is celebrated by everyone, not just couples. Many elementary school kids give out candy and cards to their classmates. High school students give to their closest friends. Most couples spend this day together with a date or celebration. The day is full of love and spending time with the people you care for the most. 

~Ryleigh McCright- Staff Writer ​