The Evolution of Valentine's Day
Displayed on Level 3 of the Maureen & Mike Mansfield Library, January & February 2023
Celebrated February 15th, Lupercalia has been traced as far back as the 6th century BCE. The festival celebrates the founding of Rome and the wolf who suckled Romulus and Remus in the cave of Lupercal.
In this depiction of Juno Sospita (500-480 BCE) the goddess has goat horns and ears.
Despite its lupine origins, the festival of Lupercalia became more associated with the goddess Juno and the goat. As Faunus/Pan gained popularity, he was later included in the festivities.
As this 59 BCE coin depicts, Juno Sospita's adherents participated in a serpentine fertility ritual. The goddess's goat-like appearance and association with figs and milk align with common Lupercalia offerings.
Lanuvium, from of old, is guarded by an ancient serpent: the hour you spend on such a marvellous visit won’t be wasted; where the sacred way is dragged down through a dark abyss, where the hungry snake’s tribute penetrates (virgin, be wary of all such paths!), when he demands the annual offering of food, and twines, hissing, from the centre of the earth. Girls grow pale, sent down to such rites as these, when their hand is rashly entrusted to the serpent’s mouth. He seizes the tit-bits the virgins offer: the basket itself trembles in their hands. If they’ve remained chaste they return to their parents’ arms, and the farmers shout: "It will be a fertile year." (Sextus Propertius: The Love Elegies, translated by A.S. Kline)
A common marriage gift, these mirrors dated to the 3rd and 4th century depict both the Lupercal myth of Rome's founding and the later rituals of nudity, goat skins, and sticks or goat skin thongs used to strike those hoping for fertility or easy childbirth.
The running ritual of Luperci was initiated by the sacrifice of a goat and dog at the Lupercal caves. The ficus Rumnalis ("fig tree of Romulus") that stood at the entrance of the cave was associated both with Juno Sospita and the diva Rumina ("goddess of suckling") who would be left offerings of milk or wine.
Ovid tells this story at the conclusion of his account of Lupercalia:
He begins, "Tell me, ye Muses, what was the origin of this sacred rite?" and replies that it was founded by Evander in honor of Pan. Ovid then inquires what caused the race: "Why do the Luperci run naked?" and tells in answer the story of Romulus and Remus pursuing the lost cattle. He then explains the names Lupercal and Lupercalia by telling of the rescue of Romulus and Remus by the wolf. About the rite of the blows, Ovid says to a young wife: "Oh bride, why are you waiting? Not by potent herbs, nor by prayers, nor by magic incantations shall you become a mother. Receive with patience the blows of the fecund hide, and your husband's father shall become a grandsire." Thus Ovid introduces the fourth point in his description of the Lupercalia — the use and the power of the goat-skin. (The Lupercalia by Alberta Mildred Franklin)
Clay oil lamp depicting Pan (Faunus), 1st-2nd century CE
While Ovid primarily associates Faunus/Pan with Lupercalia, Pan became a popular deity after Juno Sospita, and his festival was traditionally celebrated on February 13th.
In the late 5th century A.D., Pope Gelasius I eliminated the "pagan" celebration of Lupercalia and declared February 14 a day to celebrate the martyrdom of Saint Valentine.
Lupercalia's association with milk and blood continues in modern Valentine's Day through the holiday's red and white coloring.
Lupercalia Sources:
The skull of St. Valentine at the basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Because “Valentinus”—from the Latin word for worthy, strong or powerful—was a popular moniker between the second and eighth centuries A.D., several martyrs over the centuries have carried this name. The Saint Valentine of Rome celebrated on February 14th may be two men, as Emperor Claudius could have executed two different martyrs with this name.
The most popular version of events has the priest (or bishop) imprisoned after performing Christian marriage ceremonies for Roman soldiers. The mythical Valentine also sent a romantic letter signed “From your Valentine," although most scholars agree that a 1375 Chaucer poem is the true source of the Valentine's Day card.
“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”
By the 1400s, nobles inspired by Chaucer's poem “Parliament of Foules” had begun writing poems known as “valentines” to their love interests.
The marriage of Charles of Orleans and Bonne of Armagnac at the Chateau de Dourdan, from The Book of Hours of the Duke of Berry.
The oldest known valentine was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans:
"My very gentle Valentine, Since for me you were born too soon, And I for you was born too late. God forgives him who has estranged Me from you for the whole year. I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine."
The Vinegar Valentine
1909 Vinegar Valentine
1900 Vinegar Valentine
If the valentine was conceived of as a romantic missive, it hasn't always remained one. While the U.S. tradition of exchanging valentines didn’t ramp up until after the Civil War, postal reform sparked a valentine craze in the UK. Britain’s Uniform Penny Post, which allowed anyone in England to send something in the mail for just one penny, went into effect on January 10, 1840. One year later, the public sent nearly a half million valentines, half of which may have been insulting "vinegar valentines" that were sent C.O.D. (cash on delivery) and cost the recipient one penny to read.
Less is known about insulting valentines than sentimental ones because the recipients often tore them up. Most surviving examples are unsent cards found in the collections of printers and stationers.
Items included in the January & February 2023 physical display at the Mansfield Library:
