The History of Valentines Day: From the Lupercalia to Cupid

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Do you celebrate Valentine's Day, and if so, how? Do you gift the standard chocolate and roses? Let us know!

[@klamothe13]

Thanks for sharing. It’s my opinion that some of the places where the term “Christian” was used should have the term “Catholic” inserted instead. It’s an important distinction because Catholicism was from its conception the combination of Pagan and Christian traditions. Hebraic Christians tend to abstain from these practices and share more of the values held by Messianic Judaism rather than Catholicism. Just food for thought. Again... thanks for sharing.

[@Mistress_Macabre13]

I wasn’t a fan before knowing the history now it’s fascinating. Problem is the majority of the population is ignorant to its origins and like all other holidays has become grossly commercialized.

[@user-fl7zn2tn9q]

What an underrated channel. Quality historical content right here.

[@LisaBabe85]

I'm a big fan of Valentines Day/Lupercalia. I'm always single, so I express extra self love and I treat myself in the way I'd like to be treated if I ever got into a relationship. I like to spread the love to my friends and loved ones too and give them cards, roses and gifts. Thank you for uploading and Happy Lupercalia/Valentines Day ❤️🌹✨️

[@Jay-n262]

Not sure Tammuz or what we call Cupid was as cuddly as people think. I can only imagine what the Lupercalia looked like in ancient Rome or Babylon.

[@kavikv.d.hexenholtz3474]

The main objection by conservative Christians against the celebration of Valentine’s Day is its alleged origins in the Roman Lupercalia. Specifically, that Lupercalia was Christianized by Pope Gelasius I into Valentine’s Day. The ancient festival’s association with fertility rituals has only added to that idea. A closer examination however revels that any relationship between the two seems to reside solely in the realm of wishful thinking. The earliest historical record of Lupercalia is from the 3rd century BCE, while the last record is from the end of the 5th century CE - around the same time Pope Gelasius I made February 14 into a day that would honor the Christian martyr Saint Valentine (Lupercalia, by the way, took place on the 15th). At no point however does Gelasius speak of compromise or of adapting any pagan customs. In the early church, this would have been a solemn celebration; not the holiday it is today. Indeed, it is quite possible that Gelasius was partly responsible for Lupercalia’s decline. One presumed aspect of the festival is the idea that there would have been a matchmaking lottery associated with Lupercalia, a supposition that is often cited as further evidence of the connection between the ancient festival and Valentine’s Day. But there are no historical records attesting to men being paired randomly with women for participation in the ritual. Indeed, popular legends that Lupercalia featured girls writing their names on paper that would be drawn from a box by boys seem to be an 18th-century invention/addition to the assumed practices of this festival. Even though they weren’t far apart chronologically, the supposed symbolic overlap between the two took centuries more to develop, as Valentine’s Day hadn’t yet acquired the romantic meaning it has today. Valentine’s Day, as a celebration of love and fertility, dates from the 14th century CE leaving a huge gap between the two. Some pagan holidays/celebrations were co-opted by the Church, but this doesn’t appear to have been one of those cases. Though there is calendar overlap (sort of), there’s no indication that one was replaced by another. It is vitally important when writing about traditions to remember that there are only 365 days in the year ... overlap does not equate to significance. Most mainstream historians assert that Valentine’s Day and romance became associated with each other only in the late 14th century, and specifically because of the popularity of a few Geoffrey Chaucer (of 'Canterbury Tales' fame) poems called "Parliament of Foules" and “The Complaint of Mars” which both associated Valentine’s Day and romance. At the time of Chaucer's writing, mid-February was also considered to be the start of Spring in Britain, because it was the beginning of birds' mating season-perfectly appropriate for a celebration of affection. In addition, this was also the time when a concept known as “courtly love” was in its heyday. Not celebrating Valentine’s Day because of its alleged association with Lupercalia (i.e., that it has a supposed pagan origin) does not appear to hold much validity, yet some people just can’t seem to let go of this false connection.

[@darlacarter8115]

1 Corinthians 10:20. But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not of God, and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

[@kavikv.d.hexenholtz3474]

@@darlacarter8115 No idea how that verse even remotely links to Valentine's Day. Like it or not, that is the history - modern Valentine's Day cannot be definitively linked to Lupercalia - Lupercalia was long gone before Valentine's Day as a "romantic holiday" ever became into being.

[@TheVaccineIsthe666]

Repent of your sins and give your life to Jesus Christ. He will give you discernment to know these things. Do not take the c19 vax as it leaves someone doomed without forgiveness. It is the mark of the beast.

[@TravisSelassieSimbawafedha]

I celebrate tomorrow with chocolate on sale.

[@MimiMortmain]

super interesting video! every year I think about why Valentine's Day is the only saints' day that we still pay much attention to these days. most saints' days stopped being celebrated during Protestant reforms but St Valentine's Day has become a secular holiday instead!

[@janeenn8811]

And you know who is behind it… 1 John 5:19 ❤2 Cor 4:4

[@dannymullins1501]

Thanks for sharing.

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Our pleasure! Hope you enjoyed it.

[@ericpaulson7151]

all the best holidays for Xtians seem to have Pagan roots how delightfully ironic

[@klamothe13]

Catholocism was the combination of Pagan and Judaism /Christianity by Constantine. Some christians intentionally abstain from the holidays connected to pagan roots such as Valentine’s Day and Christmas.

[@সবহ্যায়ফাক্0010]

That is their trickery brother 😂😂

[@enckidoofalling2883]

The great god Pan is not dead

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@ROMA--AETERNA]

_Love_ our heritage! (pun intended 😉)

[@Tekmirion]

Nice story Kelly! Indeed the baby cupid is a Roman mutation of the Greek Eros who in Greece was represented as a handsome teenager with wings and has a nice story with the Soul. Eros and Soul, you should have a look at it too and enjoy Eros every day in your life as well as your Valentine if you like

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Glad you liked it!

[@darlacarter8115]

1 Corinthians 10:20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, thy sacrifice to devils, and not to God, and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils”. Thus said the Lord.

[@Makeitmakesensejo]

Old Nimrod aka Baal! No marvel.

[@JHL751]

Stop calling people Christians who don't do the will of God

[@elihinze3161]

Great video! I personally like the idea of St. Valentine marrying couples in secret, even if its historicity is debated. 😂

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Thanks so much! I know, it is such a fun story!

[@mokeshe_robbi6828]

If history takes us back to Lupercalia (an ancient roman festival) as an origin of Valentine's day, then by its true nature is an old Pagan festival coming from Ancient Rome. So, how does this festival has to do with Christianity? or does History try to compromise, introduce, and adopt pagan tradition into Christian tradition and practice so that it can reach the masses.

[@azubliss]

Catholicism in it's early days fused Christian ideology with these holidays for the sake of spreading the gospel or rather applying it into the culture of whatever group of people they'd preach to. Unfortunately, this was going against what the Bible said, especially when it states in the Torah to not mingle the "ways of the world" with the worship of God. Furthermore, in Catholicism there's a multitude of feasts and days added that have nothing to do with what Yeshua (Jesus) was relaying in His message. Not to mention that Yeshua was Jewish, therefore if Christians wanted to observe something which is holy and not pagan in origin, God has appointed feasts and holy days in the Torah. The misconception is that Yeshua came and abolished the Torah but that is far from the truth: He came FULFILL, not break or abolish it. So forward to modern times and you have the majority of Christians celebrating holidays they believe either that they're "cleansed" and are good to celebrate, or they don't know the origins, or they just celebrate because they don't want to deal with the facts. It truly makes me wonder what on earth educated Christians know if they are still celebrating these holidays (that is, those who have some form of Biblical study).

[@clairer342]

I think a big problem is that we don’t know the exact origin. And Christianity has been in power for so long, that they likely rebranded it and recorded it more successfully than any other small group would have. That is only my theory, but the biggest point made in each story about the origin of the holiday is that they are unsure of the exact origin and can only share theories that have been documented and preserved for us.

[@learnturn548]

Cupid eats too much!

[@learnturn548]

When did he become so unsexy?

[@SADKHAN95953]

The Dark origin of Valentine's day- Islamic reminder

[@billiexojean2514]

Cupid was the son of Ares (Mars) not Mercury.

[@madam_mim]

According to later classical tradition, you are correct. However, primary sources including Cicero and Seneca provide entirely different fathers--others claim there were more than one Cupid.

[@tsorapop-gaming1500]

It's too bad it's celebrated less and less each year

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Really? We feel like it's the opposite, haha. Thanks for watching!

[@princessleslieh131]

Valentine was a priest.

[@irvingdlpg477]

Damn speak English

[@jessicaleblanc693]

no I do not I actually hate it because I’m very very single and do not get much :(

[@brianbechtel3]

🤣😂🤣must be out of batteries...

[@Dj_alic_]

Fact checking needed sounds like lies to me