Valentine's Day History

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    As with many of today’s holidays, Valentine’s Day has its roots in pagan celebrations. February has been the month of “love” dating back to ancient Athens. “Gamelion,” as the time between mid-January to mid-February was then called, was dedicated to the marriage between Zeus, the ancient god of thunder and sky, and Hera, the goddess of marriage.

    By Roman times, Lupercalia, a festival to honor Lupercus, the god of fertility, was celebrated on February 15th. Lupercus was depicted as half-naked and wearing goat skins. In this ancient festival, priests would sacrifice goats and then run through the streets of Rome, holding goat skins over their heads and touching people as they raced by. Young women thought it particularly lucky to be touched by a priest during this rite, as this was supposed to bring fertility and aid in childbirth. Legends about Lupercalia include young couples pairing off for a year using the drawing system....
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