Many people can say reasons they dislike this holiday. They may believe that the commercialization of something based on so much romance just cheapens the love it represents. They may feel that loving your significant other on a schedule isn't romantic at all.
I don't really put much credit to the ideas of others. Love 'em if you got 'em, folks.
But, just for kicks we can talk about the facts of the day. St. Valentine is one (or more) of the martyred saints in ancient Rome. But, unlike many saints, little is known about Valentine. He was supposedly buried north of Rome, may have been more than one person, and wasn't officially recorded. The earliest lists of martyrs excluded him, but his feast day was established almost a century and a half later by Pope Gelasius I. He was included as a saint recognized among men and, "whose actions are known only to God."
So there we go. A legend of a legend is our foundation. But, no romance yet, just a feast. And that feast was even removed from the official Catholic calendar, though some traditional Catholics still recognize the feast day.
Now, for the romance. There wasn't any for centuries. The feast was established in the late 5th century, but most of the legends and romantic associations didn't appear until the 14th century. The best arguments point specifically to the work Parliament of Foules by Geoffrey Chaucer which describes and old tradition of love that didn't previously exist. Some speculate that, Christians sought to overshadow February fertility rituals by non Christians.
Perhaps Chaucer combined these ideas along with the prevailing romantic society of the time. It may have even been a satirical parody, as Chaucer was a master of the art.
Either way, now we have a day where happy couples can make an excuse to spend one romantic evening together in the middle of winter. And try finding flowers in the middle of winter. Castrating plants for the sake of fertility? That seems effective.
0 Witnesses:
Post a Comment