Ancient roots: fertility festivals and pagan beginnings

One of the stories often told about the origins of Valentine’s Day is that it replaced the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility rite held on 15th February. Lupercalia was associated with Lupercus, a pastoral god linked to fertility and protection, and with Faunus, the Roman counterpart of Pan. It was also tied to the myth of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, who were said to have been suckled by a she-wolf in the Lupercal cave.

The festival itself was visceral and embodied. Priests known as the Luperci sacrificed goats and dogs, then cut strips of goat hide and ran through the streets, striking women who stepped forward willingly, believing this would encourage fertility and ease childbirth. Some later writers describe a form of ritual pairing between men and women during the festival, though historians still debate how formal or widespread this really was.

You’ll often hear it said that Pope Gelasius I deliberately replaced Lupercalia with St Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, but the truth is less neat. There’s no clear evidence that this was a direct substitution. What we do know is that Lupercalia continued well into the 5th century, even as Christianity spread, and that the Church frequently tried to reshape or redirect older seasonal customs. Valentine’s Day itself had little to do with romance at this stage.

Who was St. Valentine?

Part of the confusion lies in the fact that there were several early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The most commonly told story centres on Valentine of Rome, a priest said to have been executed around 269 AD for defying Emperor Claudius II. According to legend, Claudius believed unmarried men made better soldiers and had banned marriage. Valentine continued to perform weddings in secret and was eventually imprisoned.

While awaiting execution, he was said to have healed the jailer’s blind daughter and left her a note signed “from your Valentine”. It’s a beautiful story, but one that’s largely unverified and likely embellished over time.

By the late 5th century, 14th February had been formally named St Valentine’s Day. Whether this was intended to replace older festivals or simply fell near them on the calendar remains unclear.

Medieval love and poetic traditions

For many centuries, Valentine’s Day passed without much note. Its association with romantic love only began to emerge in the Middle Ages, shaped largely by poetry and courtly ideals. One of the earliest references comes from Geoffrey Chaucer, who wrote in the 14th century of birds choosing their mates on St Valentine’s Day. From there, the idea took root. By the 15th century, handwritten valentines were being exchanged among the nobility, blending devotion, longing, and symbolism. Herbs and flowers featured strongly in these traditions. Rosemary for fidelity. Violets for faithfulness. Roses for love. Plants spoke where words often could not.

The rise of commercialised romance

By the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine’s Day was firmly embedded in Western culture. The Victorian era brought Valentine’s cards, sentimental poetry, and elaborate floral arrangements. The “language of flowers” (floriography) became widely popular, with each bloom carrying symbolic meaning. The commercialisation of the holiday, with chocolates, greeting cards, and expensive dinners, really took off in the 20th century, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. Today, it’s hard to separate Valentine’s Day from its modern commercial trappings, but if we look past that, we can still find traces of its older traditions – rituals of fertility, devotion, and connection in all its forms.

Love, rituals, and the role of plants

Throughout history, herbs and plants have played a role in expressing love, strengthening the heart, and deepening human connection. Some were used as love charms, others as medicinal support for the emotional and physical heart.

In medieval times, rosemary was tucked into wedding bouquets for fidelity. Lavender was believed to attract love and calm the spirit. Myrtle and oregano were sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Hawthorn was planted around homes for protection and blessings in love.

Whether through medicine, myth, or magic, herbs have always been entwined with how we love and care for one another.

Herbs for the heart

Beyond romance, herbs have long been used to support the heart in every sense, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Here are a few that stand out:

• Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) – A classic heart tonic, supporting cardiovascular function and emotional resilience.
• Rose (Rosa spp.) – Traditionally used for grief, loss, and matters of the heart.
• Linden (Tilia spp.) – A gentle nervine that calms anxiety and encourages emotional openness.
• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) – Used for emotional strength and courage, often during times of transition or stress. Quite bitter!
• Cacao (Theobroma cacao) – Not just indulgent! Raw cacao is packed with antioxidants and compounds that boost mood and circulation.

Warming heart tonic recipe

This herbal tonic is designed to support both physical and emotional heart health.

Ingredients:

• 1 part hawthorn berries
• 1 part linden flowers
• ½ part rose petals
• ½ part cinnamon chips
• ½ part cacao nibs

Method:

• Combine the herbs in a jar.
• Steep 1 tablespoon in hot water for 15 minutes.
• Strain and enjoy – add honey or maple syrup if you like it sweeter.

Valentine’s Day has carried many meanings over the centuries, and it will probably keep changing. What interests me most now is not the romance, but the instinct to mark human connection in the middle of winter, when hearts are often under more strain than we realise.

So whether you make anything of the day or let it pass quietly, tending the heart still matters. That might be as simple as a cup of tea taken slowly, or a gentle walk with someone you care about.

If this way of working with nature speaks to you, you might enjoy the deeper, seasonal approach to herbal medicine I teach inside The Crafty Herbalist Academy. It’s a place to learn herbal medicine properly, with space to explore plants in their historical, medicinal, and emotional contexts. You can find out more or join the waiting list here.

Kristine x

Please note: herbal information shared here is for general educational purposes. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or under medical care, seek personalised advice before using herbs.