Overview

• The origins of Valentine’s Day trace back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration later adapted by the Christian Church to honor Saint Valentine.
• Saint Valentine, believed to have been martyred in 270 AD, is associated with love through both legend and historical accounts, including secretly performing marriages against imperial orders.
• The tradition of exchanging love notes, called 'valentines,' began in the Middle Ages and was popularized by poets like Charles d’Orléans and later by Shakespeare.
• Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide with diverse customs, from romantic gifts and dinners to cultural variations like Japan’s chocolate-giving traditions.
• Recent trends, such as Galentine’s and Palentine’s Day, emphasize celebrating friendship and non-romantic love, reflecting evolving societal views on relationships.