Cougar Cry
Vaieatiaes Stuff
Cards, Candy, and Kisses—Where did tills
come from?
By; Emily Pruitt
Every year St. Valentine’s Day sneaks up on many peo
ple, forcing them to run out and purchase trinkets to
carry the message of love and affection to that special
someone they call “valentine.” The only problem vi^ith
this rush to express is that most people are not even
sure why this day has been set aside for lovers as a
chance to show their devotion. St. Valentine's Day origi
nated as something very different, without chocolate,
stuffed plush animals or red roses.
The origin of the naming of Saint Valentine’s Day is un
certain. At least three different men, who attained saint
hood and shared the name Valentine, existed at the
same time. One, a priest of Rome, another a bishop,
and the third an African citizen. All three men were mar
tyrs, which is somewhat contradictory when one exam
ines martyrdom and its suggestive violence, and the as
sociation with such men to a day celebrated in love and
affection. The identity of the real Saint Valentine, the
one for whom the holiday was named, will forever re
main a mystery because each of these men are claimed
in different parts of the world as being the true Saint Val
entine.
The significance behind the date, February 14, as being
Saint Valentine’s Day is somewhat disputable. It is also
a belief that February 14 was designated as Saint Valen
tine’s Day because of a natural occurrence in England.
February 14, in England, was believed to be the date
when birds chose their mates. As this came to be more
recognized, it is believed that the English designated
February 14 as a day for love not only between birds,
but people, too. While this account of Saint Valentine’s
Day’s beginnings may be somewhat true, it is almost
certain that Valentine’s Day, like most other holidays,
has its roots in ancient festivals.
In ancient Rome a fertility festival, known as Lupercalia,
began on February 15, the Ides of February. A festival
celebrating the founders of Rome, Lupercalia was also
comprised of fertility rites, which are supposed to have
been associated with the building and populating of
Rome. As part of the celebration, which was often cele
brated near to completely nude, young Roman men
would draw the name of an eligible young lady from a
basket. The two were paired together until the next Lu
percalia, often in very intimate ways. Young men often
wore their “valentine’s" name on their sleeve and show
ered her with letters and gifts of affection.
Lupercalia was often characteristic of sexual promiscuity
and partnership, which is why Valentine’s Day is be
lieved to have evolved from the ancient festival. While
the modern celebrations of Valentine’s Day are not as
“red hot” as early Roman celebrations, the partnership,
love, lust, affection, and admiration all carry over to
modern day customs.
Lupercalia, being the uncivilized mating festival that it
was, was very much frowned upon by the Christian
church of its day. It is said the Saint Valentine’s Day, a
celebration of a more pure and innocent love, was set
on February 14 in an attempt to “Christianize" the hea
then practices associated with Lupercalia. February 14
was officially chosen when Pope Gelasius declared Feb
ruary 14 Saint Valentine’s Day in 498 CE. This declara
tion took place because Lupercalia and practices associ
ated with the festival were outlawed because of the vul
garity.
Popular customs and practices associated with Saint
Valentine’s Day did not become popular until the seven
teenth and eighteenth centuries in Great Britain. Close
friends and lovers would exchange small tokens of af
fection or handwritten notes and poems. This practice,
which spanned through every social class, then evolved
toward the printed Valentine card and larger tokens of
affection, such as candy, stuffed animals, jewelry, etc.
The printed card was one of the major steps in the mak
ing of this holiday, with one billion cards purchased and
sent on this day (85% by women).
In addition to advances in gift giving. Saint Valentine's
Day has stretched out of its Roman and English homes
to be celebrated in countries, such as the United States,
Canada, Mexico, France, and Australia, with each coun
try having unique customs. Valentine’s Day, whether or
not the meaning behind it or its origin matters to modern
participants in the celebration, remains a day of love,
affection, and togetherness no matter what its past.
Creating an Original Valentine
By: Deidre Childress
With stories from Giftideas.com
If you’re looking for a new, inventive, and romantic way
to approach this valentine’s Day and look forward to
making it a day that your special someone will never for
get, look no further than here! Or you could just buy the
traditional; Roses, a card, and a box of chocolates. Not
that there is anything completely wrong with that, but it’s
so overrated. Whether you’re dating or married, guy,
and girl alike can use these various stories to create a
unique valentine original.
J