We all know that February, 14, otherwise known as Valentine’s Day, is the day to express your love for everyone around you—whether it be your significant other, your family or your pet.  It is a day to give heart shaped boxes filled with chocolates and exchange cards full of love and romantic messages.  According to the Greeting Card Association, around one billion cards are purchased each year making Valentine’s Day the second largest card sending holiday of the year. Christmas is the first.  Valentine’s Day  has also become one of the most popular days for couples to get engaged.  So we do this in the name of St. Valentine but does anyone know who St. Valentine even is or why it is the holiday of love? And does anyone know why a naked little baby name Cupid seems to be the “official” mascot of this day of love?

When searching for the answer to the question of who St. Valentine was, I came across a couple of different legends. One suggests that Valentine was a priest in the Catholic church during the third century in Rome.  According to the History Channel, Emperor Claudius II prohibited marriage for young men because he thought single men made better soldiers, Valentine continued to secretly perform marriage ceremonies for young lovers.  When Claudius found out he ordered Valentine be put to death.  Another suggests that Valentine may have actually sent the first valentine greeting.  He fell in love with a girl while in prison, who may have been the jailor’s daughter visited him while locked up.  Before Valentine died, it is alleged he wrote her a letter that he signed “From your Valentine.”

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the Catholic church recognizes three different saints named Valentine—all whom were martyred on February 14.

There are many different beliefs as to why Valentine’s day is celebrated in mid February.  One reason is that the Christian Church may have decided to celebrate Valentine’s feast day in mid February to christianize pagan celebrations.  Another reason is that in France and England, February 14 was the beginning of mating season for birds.  This added to the idea that mid-February should be a day of romance.

As for the gifts and cards, during the middle of the eighteenth century it became popular for lovers and friends to exchange small tokens of affection along with notes.  By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace the handwritten notes.  Cheap postage rates made it easy for people to exchange cards.

Lastly, I had to get to the bottom of why a chubby little baby represents Valentine’s Day.  In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of love and sex—son of Venus and Mars.  We also often see Cupid holding a bow and arrow.  The story goes, Cupid hits a victim and they fall madly in love with the next person they see.  Also known as “love at first sight.”

Now, you know some of the reasons behind the cards and the gifts.  It is more then just cuddling up with your sweetie and enjoying a nice dinner.  May you all be struck by Cupid’s arrow this Valentine’s Day!

Author: Gabriella Muñoz
Graphics: Jerusalem Rivera