Love, Legends, and a Little Mystery

When you think of Valentine’s Day, you probably picture roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and more red than any one day should legally contain. But behind the cards and cuddly bears lies a story—one that’s murkier than a romance novel’s plot twist.

Valentine’s Day, at its heart (pun intended), is a blend of ancient tradition, Christian martyrdom, and a whole lot of historical speculation. The day is believed to be named after St. Valentine, but here's the kicker: there were multiple Saint Valentines in early Christian history, and their stories overlap more than your Spotify playlists.

One popular theory suggests Valentine was a Roman priest in the 3rd century, during Emperor Claudius II's reign. Claudius, in a weird twist of logic, believed single men made better soldiers, so he outlawed marriage. Valentine, being a true romantic rebel, secretly performed marriages for young lovers. He was eventually caught and executed on—you guessed it—February 14th.

Some legends say he sent a letter to a jailer’s daughter before his execution, signed “From your Valentine.” If true, that man basically wrote the first Valentine’s Day card while waiting for execution. Talk about bittersweet romance.

But the celebration of love in mid-February might predate this. Ancient Rome had Lupercalia, a fertility festival involving rituals, matchmaking, and, well… activities not exactly fit for Hallmark cards. As Christianity spread, pagan customs often got rebranded, and voila—Valentine’s Day began to morph into what we know today.

By the Middle Ages, February 14th was linked to the start of the bird mating season in Europe (because birds apparently needed a day too), reinforcing its romantic reputation. Chaucer and Shakespeare helped romanticize it in their writings, and eventually, mass-produced cards in the 1800s sealed the deal—quite literally.

Today, it’s a celebration of love in all forms—romantic, platonic, and even self-love. But the next time you’re picking out a gift, just remember: you’re continuing a tradition rooted in rebellion, mystery, and maybe a little martyrdom.