Valentine’s day, a day that makes you think about hearts, flowers and chocolates. This is a part of the day, but there is also another part to it, the history.

Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian holiday celebrating St. Valentine. He was a saint that right before being beheaded by the Romans, had written “your Valentine” on the bottom of a note. Some people claim that St. Valentine was beheaded in February, but it’s more likely that Valentine’s Day is a Christianized version of Lupercalia, which was a Roman love festival. Valentine’s Day had evolved into a love festival much later, however. In the middle ages, some people who lived in Europe believed that February 14th was the first day in the birds’ mating season, giving the impression that Valentine’s Day should be about love. The 1400’s was when Valentine’s greetings started appearing, and eventually, the cheesy valentine’s cards and candy hearts were introduced. 

When thinking of valentines day, Hallmark movies were brought up. Hallmark movies are cheesy romance/rom-coms that are frequently watched during the valentines season. Hallmark usually receives 100-200 million dollars during the valentines season alone. This seems like a lot, but in comparison to Christmas themed Hallmark movies, they almost make 500 million to 1 billion dollars. Another thing relating to Valentine’s day, hearts. Not like beating in your chest heart, but the shape of your heart. The shape is the same as eaves of the peepal tree, originating in ancient India, Egypt, and the shape of a heart is a symbol on a coin of ancient Cyrene, a Roman and Greek city in present day Libya.

    Valentines day started as a tradition, and has become a beloved holiday to give   and show true appreciation, with small hand written love notes and now people go all big with gifts, and the way this holiday has evolved to think a little extra of your loved ones is a beautiful thing.