1 – The first official Valentine’s Day Celebration took place in Paris
On February 14, 1400, King Charles VI of France established the High Court of Love, also known as “a cour amoureuse.” The court was designed to handle cases brought forward by couples involved in extramarital affairs, and many participants would wear masks to conceal their identities.
A grand feast was held to elect all-female officials for the court. It served as a venue for settling disputes related to romantic relationships and was equipped to deal with a wide range of emotional and legal issues. Complaints could range from a woman attacking her lover with a pin because she was dissatisfied with a gift, to a man feeling wronged because his lover was playing “hard to get.” This latter offense was considered the most heinous of all.
2 – Cupid comes from Greek mythology
Cupid, the son of Venus, is a figure steeped in history that dates back to 700 B.C. as the Greek God of love, named Eros. Eros was renowned for his good looks and was said to have the power to make people fall in love.
In the 4th century BCE, the Romans adopted the Greek mythology and transformed Eros into the iconic image of a cherubic boy with bow and arrow, renaming him Cupid. This image of Cupid has become a staple in Western culture and is often depicted as a mischievous figure, armed with a bow and arrows, who uses his weapons to make people fall in love.
By the late 1800s, Cupid had become linked to Valentine’s Day celebrations due to his reputation for spreading love and desire. The legacy of Cupid remains as an enduring symbol of love and desire, inspiring countless works of art, literature, and popular culture.
3 – Valentine’s day was declared a holiday of love by a Pope
Pope Gelasius I officially designated February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day. However, prior to this declaration, the day was celebrated as a pagan festival called Lupercalia. This festival was marked by goat sacrifice and participants dressed in animal skins to resemble dogs and goats. The goal was to encourage fertility, and as part of the ritual, women’s bodies would be struck with goatskin dipped in blood.
It is widely believed that the holiday was rebranded to celebrate St. Valentine as a way to discourage the pagan rituals associated with Lupercalia. St. Valentine was honored on this day because it is believed to be the date of his martyrdom.
St. Valentine was a Christian priest who lived in the 3rd century. He is remembered for his acts of kindness and compassion, especially towards those who were persecuted for their beliefs. Over time, St. Valentine became associated with love and affection, and the holiday named after him has become a day for expressing love and devotion to those closest to us.
4 – Oldest record of a Valentine is a 600 year old poem written in prison
Charles, the Duke of Orleans, wrote a poem to his wife while serving a sentence in the Tower of London in 1415. The short poem, addressed to his wife, affectionately referred to her as his “Valentine.”
Charles was married to his wife at the age of 12, and at 21, he wrote the ‘Valentine’ poem while in prison. His imprisonment was the result of a civil war that was raging between his father, Louis I, and his uncle’s family over control of France.
Despite his difficult circumstances, Charles was able to express his love and devotion to his wife through his poetry, leaving a lasting legacy of love that has been passed down through the ages. Today, Charles’ poem serves as a reminder of the timeless power of love and the ability of people to connect and find solace even in the most challenging circumstances.
5 – Juliet, of Romeo & Juliet fame receives about 1,000 letters every Valentine’s day
Every year, about 1,000 letters are sent to Verona, Italy, addressed to Juliet. This is due to the enduring popularity of Romeo and Juliet, one of the most famous love stories of all time.
On Valentine’s Day, people often remember the timeless tale of these star-crossed lovers and their ill-fated romance. Interestingly, Shakespeare’s only mention of Valentine’s Day in his works takes place in “Hamlet,” not “Romeo and Juliet.”
However, the enduring impact of Romeo and Juliet on popular culture has made Verona a romantic destination for lovers, especially during the week of Valentine’s Day. The city is transformed with events, celebrations, and Valentine-themed decorations to welcome visitors from all over the world who want to experience the romantic atmosphere and pay homage to the famous lovers.
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