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Every year on February 14, flowers are delivered, restaurants fill up, and messages signed “Be My Valentine” circulate across the Hawkesbury and beyond. But the origins of Valentine’s Day stretch back far further than red roses and chocolate boxes.
The history of the day is a layered story part ancient ritual, part religious tradition, part medieval poetry, and part modern commerce.
Ancient Beginnings
One of the earliest links to mid-February celebrations comes from ancient Rome. The festival of Lupercalia, held around February 15, was associated with purification and fertility. While it was not a romantic holiday in the modern sense, its timing and themes of renewal have led historians to consider it an early influence.
In the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I abolished Lupercalia and declared February 14 a feast day honouring Saint Valentine. Whether this was a direct replacement of the pagan festival or simply coincidental remains debated.
The Mystery of Saint Valentine
The story of Saint Valentine is far from straightforward. Historical records suggest there were at least two Christian martyrs named Valentine executed in the 3rd century during Roman persecution.
Later legends claim one Valentine secretly married couples after Emperor Claudius II allegedly banned soldiers from marrying. Another story says he healed a jailer’s daughter and signed a farewell note “from your Valentine” before his execution.
While these stories cannot be fully verified, February 14 became associated with a martyred saint whose name would endure for centuries.
Love Takes Centre Stage
The romantic connection to Valentine’s Day appears most clearly in medieval Europe.
In the 14th century, English poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in his poem Parliament of Fowls that birds chose their mates on “Seynt Valentynes day.” At the time, Europeans believed mid-February marked the start of birds’ mating season symbolically linking the date to romance.
By the 15th century, handwritten love notes known as “valentines” were being exchanged among the aristocracy in England and France.
Cards, Commerce and Chocolate
Valentine’s Day became more widely celebrated in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in England. Improvements in printing and the introduction of affordable postage helped spread the custom of sending decorative cards.
In the United States, businesswoman Esther Howland began producing ornate commercial Valentine cards in the 1840s, helping transform the holiday into a thriving industry.
Over time, traditions expanded to include roses, chocolates, jewellery and romantic dinners. Today, Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for florists and restaurants.
A Global Celebration
Modern Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries, though customs vary. In Japan and South Korea, women traditionally give chocolates to men, with a return celebration known as “White Day” a month later. In Finland and Estonia, February 14 focuses more on friendship than romance.
Despite criticism that the day has become overly commercial, its meaning continues to evolve. For many, it is no longer only about romantic partners, but also about friendships, family and appreciation.
Why It Endures
Valentine’s Day did not begin as a single romantic holiday. It developed over centuries from Roman ritual to Christian remembrance, from medieval poetry to mass-produced cards.
Its staying power may lie in its simplicity. At its heart, February 14 offers a moment to acknowledge connection whether sacred, romantic or simply human.
As Hawkesbury residents exchange cards, book dinner reservations or quietly mark the day in their own way, they are participating in a tradition that spans more than 1,500 years.
Valentine Day
💌 The oldest surviving Valentine’s message dates back to 1415, written by Charles, Duke of Orléans, to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Red roses became associated with Valentine’s Day because they were believed to be the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love
The medieval belief that birds began mating in mid-February helped cement the day’s romantic symbolism.
More than one billion Valentine’s cards are exchanged worldwide each year, making it one of the largest card-sending holidays after Christmas.
🤝 In some countries, Valentine’s Day is more about celebrating friendship than romantic love.
