February 14, Valentine's Day 2025: History, Cupid's Story, Quotes and Wishes

Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, has evolved over centuries, blending Christian, Roman, and medieval traditions into the day of love and affection we recognize today. The history behind this beloved holiday, and its patron saint, St. Valentine, is steeped in mystery, with several legends surrounding the origins.

Who Was Saint Valentine?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. The most popular legend traces the story of Valentine, a priest in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century. Claudius banned marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Valentine, however, defied this decree and secretly performed marriages for couples in love. When his actions were discovered, he was sentenced to death. Some versions of the story suggest Valentine of Terni, a bishop, was the true namesake of the holiday, also martyred by Claudius II.

Other accounts propose that Valentine was executed for attempting to aid imprisoned Christians or that he sent the first "valentine" himself, a love letter to a young girl, possibly his jailor’s daughter, who visited him during his confinement. The letter, signed "From your Valentine," would later become a timeless expression used on the holiday.

Though the truth behind these legends remains unclear, the common thread is Valentine’s heroic, romantic character. By the Middle Ages, his popularity as a saint grew in England and France, and his association with love blossomed.

Valentine’s Day Origins: A Pagan Festival

While some believe Valentine’s Day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of Saint Valentine’s death around A.D. 270, others argue that the Christian church strategically placed the feast day in mid-February to coincide with the pagan festival of Lupercalia. Held on February 15, Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival dedicated to the god Faunus and the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.

During Lupercalia, Roman priests would sacrifice a goat and a dog, then use the goat’s hide to lightly strike women, who welcomed it for its belief to increase fertility. In a later custom, women’s names were placed in an urn, and bachelors would draw names, resulting in temporary pairings that often led to marriage.

The Shift to Romantic Love

Although Lupercalia persisted for a time after the rise of Christianity, it was eventually outlawed in the 5th century by Pope Gelasius, who declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day. The true association of the day with love, however, didn’t develop until the Middle Ages. In France and England, it was believed that February 14 marked the beginning of birds' mating season, which reinforced the idea of St. Valentine’s Day as a celebration of romance. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer is credited with popularizing this connection in his 1375 poem Parliament of Fowls, where he wrote, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day / When every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”

The Birth of Valentine’s Day Greetings

Valentine’s Day greetings date back to the Middle Ages, but the tradition of sending written valentines began around 1400. The oldest known valentine, a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London, is part of the British Library's collection. By the 17th century, the exchange of Valentine’s notes became popular in Great Britain, and by the 18th century, both friends and lovers of all social classes exchanged tokens of affection.

Mass-produced valentines became available in the 19th century after improvements in printing technology, making it easier for people to express their feelings. The rise of cheaper postage also boosted the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day cards.

Cupid: The Symbol of Love

Cupid, a prominent figure in Valentine’s Day celebrations, traces his origins to Greek mythology. Known as Eros in Greek, Cupid was originally depicted as a handsome, immortal youth who used arrows to inspire love and aversion. Over time, he became portrayed as a chubby, mischievous child, commonly seen on Valentine’s Day cards.

Valentine’s Day Today

Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated in countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. In the U.S., it’s estimated that 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making it the second largest card-sending holiday after Christmas.

The tradition of exchanging gifts, flowers, and cards continues to grow, with people seeking the perfect way to express their love. Esther A. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” started selling the first mass-produced valentines in the 1840s, creating elaborate designs with lace and ribbons that were highly popular.

Today, Valentine's Day remains a celebration of love and affection, evolving from ancient customs and legendary tales into a modern-day tradition cherished by millions worldwide.