Love has been around since the beginning of time, but Valentine's Day has not. Actually it started back in the days of the Roman Empire. Rome, under the rule of Emperor Claudius 11, was involved in many bloody military campaigns. Claudius the Cruel (nickname) was having a difficult time getting men to join
his army. He believed the reason was because the men did not want to leave their families and true loves.
Due to his beliefs, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. A Christian priest named Valentine came to defend love in the Empire. He began to secretly marry couples, despite the Emperor's order. When Emperor Claudius was informed of these ceremonies he ordered Valentine sent to prison, where he remained until his death on February 14,270.
Valentine's Day began to develope, as we know it, when Christiany was begining to take control of
Europe, a few hundred years later. As part of the Christianity movement the Church sought to do away with pagan holidays. Valentine's Day came to replace a mid-February fertility festival called Lupercalia.
In honor of Valentine's scarifice for love, he was made a saint and, Lupercalia renamed in his honor.
And so...the tradition of honoring St. Valentine's scarifice continues. The themes of love and feritility,
taken from the ancient meanings of the holiday, has endured and evolved with our contemporary
adaptations of its meanings.
Valentine Links...For your entertainment & enjoyment!
Cyrano
Let Cyrano Write Your Feelings
The Kiss
Send Your Valentine a kiss!
Cupid's Corner
Everything you need for Valentine's Day
Valentine.Com
The love at first site!
Valentine's Day
Love is in the airwaves!
Courtship Corner
Romance Central!
Clip Art of Romance
Valentines Forever Questionnaire
Take the love quiz
U&I Clothing and Gifts
Wear the logo that says "I love you" all year long!
