Love is in the air. Roses, chocolates, and jewelry oh my! This is how we celebrate modern Valentine’s Day. Back in the 6th century BC, Lupercalia was nothing like today’s holiday. It was violent and bloody!
History
The origins of this holiday are unknown. Lupercalia dates back to 6th century BC. Celebrated on February 15th in Rome, Priests called Luperci, would go to a cave named Lupercal and strip down naked and perform animal sacrifices to the Roman God Lupercus god of shepherds. Goats and sometimes a dog are sacrificed. These sacrifices were to bring fertility and health to not just the livestock but the people as well.
Skinning the hides, Luperci cut the skin into strips. Women lined up as the Luperci run by and whip them. It is uncertain the reasonings behind this strange tradition, there are a few theories as to why this was a part of the festival. One was that it was to represent fertility for that woman. Another was that it would ease the pains of childbirth.
After the running and slapping women with animal hides, everyone sits down for a feast, drinking wine and feasting on the freshly sacrificed goats. This festival was a way to get the community together. A shared religious experience.
In 494 CE, Pope Gelasius I banned the pagan festival. The church found Lupercalia unacceptable despite the women willingly participating in the festival’s ritual practices.
Not all aspects of Lupercalia were lost, regardless of the festival no longer being celebrated. Today, we still celebrate community and companionship as well as fertility. Red and white color also come from Lupercalia, representing blood and milk.
From Lupercalia to Valentine’s Day
Saint Valentine is the patron saint of lovers. He was not only a Roman priest, but also a physician. Valentine was arrested and as the story goes that he was arrested for marrying couples in secrecy, and during his time in jail, Valentine was talking with the judge and told him that everything about Jesus is true. The judge would then put Valentine to the test. The judge brought him his blind daughter and told him to bring back her vision. The girl’s vision was restored, and Valentine was released. He was arrested again and brought to Rome, ruled by Roman emperor Claudius II. Valentine tried converting Claudius to Christianity which enraged Claudius, and Valentine was sentenced to death. They beheaded him February 14, 269 AD. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration to the martyr Valentine.
Correspondences
How can you celebrate?
You can celebrate this holiday without all the blood and violence. Obviously frowned upon today, the spirit of Lupercalia can still live on. Here are a few ideas that you can do to celebrate:
- Decorate your home or business using reds and whites.
- Invite couples over and have dinner together.
- Put out a shallow dish of milk outside as an offering
- Spend time with your partner
- Perform a ritual for love or fertility
Sources
Lupercalia: Meaning, Pagan Rituals, Valentine’s Day | HISTORY
Valentine’s Day Origins and Lupercalia: What’s the Link? | TIME
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