As with most celebrations that have existed for centuries there are many versions of how they came into being, some derived from history and some from myth and legend.
The first Valentine’s Day was in the year 496, so marking the day itself is a very old tradition. It is thought to have originated from a Roman festival, called Lupercalia in the middle of February – officially marking the start of springtime.
In ancient Rome, there were at least three Christian martyrs were named Valentine, who were believed to have been executed for various reasons.
However, one of the Valentines, a Christian bishop, was believed to have been executed on February 14 because he defied the Emperor Claudius II by secretly performing marriages ceremonies for Roman soldiers. Claudius II had prevented soldiers from marrying because he thought they should only love Rome.
Legends about St Valentine as a heroic and romantic figure first emerged during the Middle Ages in England and France.
Some historians assert that the first person to associate St Valentine with romantic love was the poet Chaucer. In 1381 the English King Richard II and Anne of Bohemia were betrothed and Chaucer composed a poem in honour of the engagement.
Flowers have had symbolic meanings for centuries and the colour of traditional red roses represents passion.
The red rose first emerged in Greek and Roman iconography, where it was tied to Aphrodite, or Venus, the goddess of love. In Greek mythology, it is said that rose bushes grew from the ground through Aphrodite’s tears and the blood of her lover, Adonis.
Later, in early Christian times it became associated with the virtue of Virgin Mary.
The tradition of giving Valentine’s Day flowers dates back to the late 17th century, during the reign of King Charles II of Sweden. During a trip to Persia, King Charles II was exposed to a new art—the language of flowers.
