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For many ages people around the world celebrate St.Valentines' Day in February. This article superficially reveal it's origins and history of Valentine's Cards.
Where did it come from? The tradition takes its origin init can be traced back to the Roman fest Lupercalia, eroticism festival in honor of Juno Februata, a Goddess of passionate love. Every year special love messages were sent to potential partners as invitations for sexual intercourse. From the sinful to the sacred. Puritanical Christians didn’t approve of such festivals. They tried to “transform” lustful love into the sacred love. They wrote the name of some Saint in love messages. For the following 12 months people were gradually filled with the ideas the message contained. Hence the sanctimonious Lupercalia version of the fest lost its popularity and was soon rejected. Romanticism instead of eroticism. It was time for the Christians to replace the Goddess of Love Juno Februata by some Saint (St. Valentine). The Saint should be an exact antithesis to the Goddess of adultery. St. Valentine’s biography. With a view to make St. Valentine’s image more attractive for loving couples the Church overestimated his “achievements”. According to a legend, Valentin broke the Emperor Klaudius’ II decree that prohibited marriage and engagement celebration. Valentin was sentenced to death for blessing a marriage. While in prison, Valentin cured a blind warder’s daughter. When she saw Valentine, she fell in love with him at first sight. But she failed to save him from death. The day before execution he sent her message signed “Your Valentine”. History of Valentine Cards. Appearance of the first Valentine card has been ascribed to Charles, Duke of Orlean (1415), who sent love letters to his wife from jail. By 16th century Valentine cards became a widespread phenomenon. However, it wasn’t worldwide popular until the 18th century. Post services were expensive, and addressees paid all the expenses. Not many people could afford it. Fortunately, nowadays it’s not a problem. You can send your love message by fax, or by email. Those lazy may even make love on the phone. Remember Juno Februata and feel the difference! |
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