Bizarre Facts About Valentine's Day

[southerngale]

Long before St. Valentine lived, this time of year had strong links with fertility. February 14 is the day that birds traditionally pick their mates. This may be why so many customs developed in connection with new love on this particular date.


February 15 was when the Roman festival of Lupercalis - the Wolf - took place. Young men would hold a lottery to decide which girl would be theirs. In Medieval times, girls ate strange foods on Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future husband.


In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the first single person of the opposite sex you encountered on the morning of Valentine's Day, was the person you would marry.


During the middle of the 17th century, married people took a Valentine, and it wasn't always their "better half."


No one is sure who St. Valentine actually was. Two men could be responsible for the association with love and marriage on this day. The most likely St. Valentine was a priest during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II.


Emperor Claudius issued a decree that made it illegal for Roman soldiers to marry - because it inhibited their ability to fight! However, romantic Valentine continued to marry soldiers in secret, until eventually the clandestine cere- monies were discovered and he was beheaded. Valentine was in love with his jailer's daughter and he left her a note signed 'Your Valentine' before being taken away to his death.

[StormCrazyIowan]

Well, I would just like to add that I was conceived on this very day 22 years ago!

[ColdFront77]

Jacki, that is an absolutely fact? It seems that the day of conception isn't "cut and dry."

Oops, changed "." to "?"

[Stephanie]

Very interesting tidbits!