Hello...

What is the REAL origin of Valentine's Day? I have heard different stories
but I'm wondering what is the correct version...

Thanks muchly :)

The truth is, no one knows for certain.

THE HISTORY CHANNEL
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/history.html

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

I think we can blame its current prominence on greeting-card
companies, jewelers, and candy manufacturers. ;-)

and my wife

Pathologically unrestrained commercialism notwithstanding, I think the
current prominence of Valentine's Day is due at least in part to the
American educational system in the age of political correctness.

Like Hallowe'en, whose religious origins are easily forgotten or
overlooked, Valentine's Day is a quasi-holiday (no legal status, state
recognition, or official closings) that lends color and contour to the
school calendar and thematic support to teaching units without
appearing to favor any particular religious or political group or
entity.  In the U.S., at least, it is safe to make a fuss about both
of them, as is no longer the case with everything from Columbus Day to
Christmas (you have noticed, of course, that school programs now
typically feature *songs* for the nameless Winter Holiday such as
"Jingle Bells" and "Winter Wonderland"; no more *carols,* which could
offend people with their explicit mention of the origins of
Christmas).  One consequence is that these two dates get such a
buildup in the minds of kids that the actuality (an exchange of little
cards and maybe some candy hearts, two hours in costume soliciting
candy from neighbors who barely have time to look at you) can be a
huge letdown.  That creates a gap that no merchandiser could fail to
notice.

I predict that these "neutral" holidays and any others than can be
built up like them will become bigger in people's minds than what used
to be the major celebrations of the year and that something like a
history or lore free of any unwanted associations will have to be
fabricated to justify their place in the calendar.

Apteryx

Dear steph53,

As with most ancient concepts the 'history' of Valentine's Day is not
a single entity.  This mostly has to do with the fact the older
something is, the more time has passed for people to attach
significance.  All the study I have ever done on the subject leads to
the Roman Lupercalia as being the oldest connection.  Since that time,
other 'histories' have been attached to the date.  This page seemed to
mention all of the ones that I have heard about.

http://www.me2u.com/LoveLore/Valentine/

So, in fact, the 'real' history of Valentine's Day is all of them.  As
they all have placed some piece of what we call Valentine's Day today.

Peggy bill
--Google Researcher--