From Ancient Rome to Kathmandu: History of Valentine’s Day and It’s Journey in Nepal

Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14. In 2024, Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.

But who is this mysterious saint and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the meaning and history of Valentine’s Day, from the ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia that welcomed spring to the card-giving customs of Victorian England.

How did Valentine’s Day start?

Valentine’s Day is a fixed day on the calendar that got lumped into a mid-February holiday on the ancient Roman calendar called Lupercalia—which some historians believe is what led to Valentine’s Day being all about love. Lupercalia celebrated fertility, and may have included a ritual in which men and women were paired off by choosing names from a jar. In Ancient Greece, people observed a mid-winter celebration for the marriage of the god Zeus and the goddess Hera.

Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14th?

In general, early Christians often opted to celebrate holidays on days that coincide with existing festivals and celebrations (like Christmas and winter solstice), so they placed Valentine’s Day on February 14th, while Lupercalia was celebrated on February 15th.

Who was Saint Valentine? (And what does he have to do with chocolate hearts?)

Not much, it turns out. St. Valentine’s Day was a feast day in the Catholic religion, added to the liturgical calendar around 500 AD. The day was commemorated for martyred saints named—you guessed it—Valentine. Differing legends celebrate three different saints called Valentine or Valentinus, but since very little was known about these men and there were conflicting reports of the St. Valentine Day story, the feast day was removed  the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar in 1969.

But even though not much is known about the real history of the Saint Valentines on whom the holiday is based, the legend of Saint Valentine has several tellings. One legend says that Saint Valentine refused to convert to paganism and was executed by Roman Emperor Claudius II. Prior to his execution, he was able to miraculously heal the daughter of his jailer, who then converted to Christianity along with his family. Another legend says a bishop called Saint Valentine of Terni is the true namesake of the holiday; this Saint Valentine was also executed.

But according to others—and this is how Saint Valentine became affiliated with a love-focused holiday—Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who performed weddings for soldiers forbidden to marry, because of a Roman emperor’s edict decreeing married soldiers did not make good warriors and thus young men could not marry. This Saint Valentine wore a ring with a Cupid on it—a symbol of love—that helped soldiers recognize him. And, in a precursor to greeting cards, he handed out paper hearts to remind Christians of their love for God.

Because of this legend, Saint Valentine became known as the patron saint of love. The Saint Valentine prayer asks Saint Valentine to connect lovers together, so that two become one, and the couple remembers their devotion to God.

While the Saint Valentine story set the groundwork for establishing the day as a holiday for romantic love, what truly solidified the connection between Saint Valentine and love was a poem by medieval author Geoffrey Chaucer in 1375, which historians consider the origin of the “modern” celebration of Valentine’s Day, where we celebrate our romantic partnership with one other person.

Valentine Day in Nepal

In Nepal, Valentine’s Day is a relatively new culture. It was only introduced in the 1990s, and it is still mainly celebrated by young people. However, it has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it is now a major commercial event.

There are a number of reasons why Valentine’s Day has become popular in Nepal. One reason is that it provides an opportunity for young people to express their romantic feelings in a way that was not traditionally possible. In Nepali society, it is often difficult for young people to talk openly about their feelings, and Valentine’s Day provides a safe space for them to do so.

Another reason why Valentine’s Day is popular is that it is seen as a Western holiday. In Nepal, there is a general fascination with Western culture, and Valentine’s Day is seen as a way to participate in that culture.

However, Valentine’s Day is not without its critics. Some people argue that it is a commercial agenda that has no place in Nepali culture. Others argue that it promotes unrealistic expectations of love and relationships.

Despite the criticism, Valentine’s Day is here to stay in Nepal. It is a day that is enjoyed by many young people, and it is likely to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.