How Valentine's Day was celebrated in Ancient Rome
Valentine’s Day as we know it today has evolved over centuries, with many of its customs rooted in ancient practices. One of the key historical origins of the modern celebration is tied to traditions in Ancient Rome, particularly a festival called Lupercalia. Here's a Petal & Poem florist guide to how Valentine's Day traditions might have looked in Ancient Rome:
1. Lupercalia Festival (February 13-15)
Origins: Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival that took place from February 13 to February 15. It was dedicated to Lupercus, the Roman god of fertility and protector of shepherds, and also to Faunus, the god of the forest.
Rituals: During the festival, priests known as the Luperci would gather at the Lupercal cave on the Palatine Hill, where, according to Roman mythology, the she-wolf had nursed the twins Romulus and Remus. The priests would sacrifice goats and dogs, after which they would use the animal hides to fashion strips of skin called thongs.
2. The Lupercalia Ritual
The Thong Ritual: The Luperci would run around the city, striking people, especially women, with the thongs made from the sacrificial goats’ hides. This was believed to promote fertility and ensure ease of childbirth. Women who were struck were thought to become more fertile, and many eagerly awaited this event in the hope of becoming pregnant.
Cupid’s Role: Though not directly tied to Valentine’s Day today, Lupercalia was a celebration of love and fertility, which connects to the later association of Cupid. Cupid, the Roman god of love, was often depicted with a bow and arrow, and his image became intertwined with romantic love and attraction.
3. Matching Couples
The Lottery of Love: One of the more romantic aspects of Lupercalia was a tradition where young women would write their names on pieces of paper, and young men would draw the names from a box. The man whose name was drawn would then be paired with the woman for the duration of the festival. In many cases, these pairings led to marriages.
Symbol of Romance: The pairing of couples during Lupercalia was an expression of romantic love, one that may have contributed to the idea of matchmaking on Valentine’s Day later on.
4. Sacrifices and Celebrations
Lupercalia was a festive time, marked by feasting, drinking, and revelry. The day was filled with merry-making, music, and community celebrations. It was also an important time for Romans to honor their gods and invoke blessings for prosperity and fertility in both agricultural and personal life.
5. Christianization of Lupercalia
As Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, the Church sought to replace or reinterpret many pagan festivals. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day, in part to suppress the pagan rituals. However, the themes of love and fertility persisted and merged with the Christian elements.
St. Valentine: There are several legends about Saint Valentine, including stories of him secretly marrying couples in defiance of Roman emperor Claudius II's marriage ban. The association between St. Valentine and love solidified, transforming what was once a pagan festival into a Christian celebration of love and affection.
6. Gifts and Tokens of Affection
While not as elaborate as today’s modern-day Valentine’s Day, the exchange of small tokens of affection or simple gifts began to emerge during the Roman celebration of love. People would often give handwritten notes or tokens symbolizing affection, an early precursor to modern-day Valentine’s Day cards.
Ancient Roman traditions surrounding Lupercalia laid the groundwork for what would later become Valentine’s Day. Though the rituals of Lupercalia involved fertility and sometimes even the pairing of couples for short-term relationships, the heart of the celebration was love and the desire for prosperity in both personal and public life. Over time, as Christianity took hold, these traditions blended with Christian customs surrounding St. Valentine, leading to the modern-day Valentine’s Day we celebrate today.
