Ancient Roots: Fertility Festivals and Pagan Beginnings

One of the most common theories about the origins of Valentine’s Day is that it replaced the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held on 15th February. Lupercalia was dedicated to Lupercus, a pastoral god associated with fertility and protection, and Faunus, the Roman equivalent of Pan. It was also linked to Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome, who were said to have been raised by a she-wolf.

The festival itself was wild and ritualistic. Priests known as Luperci sacrificed goats and dogs at the Lupercal cave, then cut strips of goat hide from the sacrificed animals and ran through the streets striking women who lined up voluntarily, believing this would enhance fertility and ease childbirth. Some later sources suggest there may have been a lottery-style matchmaking system where men and women were paired for the duration of the festival, but historians debate whether this was actually part of the tradition.

Despite the popular belief that Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, there is no clear historical evidence that this happened. What is true is that Lupercalia was still being celebrated well into the 5th century, even as Christianity spread, and the Church often sought to reframe or replace pagan festivals. However, Valentine’s Day itself had no strong association with love or romance until much later, in the Middle Ages.

Who Was St. Valentine?

There were actually several different Saint Valentines, all early Christian martyrs, which makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly who the day was originally named after. The most famous legend involves Valentine of Rome, a priest who was supposedly executed around 269 AD for defying Emperor Claudius II. The story goes that Claudius had banned marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Valentine continued to perform secret marriages and was eventually arrested.

Before his execution, he was said to have healed his jailer’s blind daughter and sent her a note signed “from your Valentine” – a phrase that has echoed through history. However, this story is largely unverified and may have been a later invention to romanticise the saint’s legacy.

Regardless of which Valentine the day originally honoured, by 496 AD, Pope Gelasius officially declared 14th February as St. Valentine’s Day. Whether this was an attempt to replace Lupercalia or simply a coincidence of timing remains unclear.

Medieval Love and Poetic Traditions

For centuries, St. Valentine’s Day had no particular link to romantic love. That changed in the Middle Ages when poetry and courtly traditions reshaped the way people thought about love and devotion. The first known reference to Valentine’s Day as a time for love appears in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century poem Parliament of Fowls, in which he wrote:

“For this was on St. Valentine’s Day, when every bird comes there to choose his mate.”

This sparked the idea that Valentine’s Day was a time for courtship, a tradition that grew in popularity throughout medieval Europe. By the 15th century, nobles and poets were exchanging “valentines,” handwritten notes professing admiration and love.

One of the earliest recorded Valentine’s letters comes from Charles, Duke of Orléans, who wrote to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415:

“I am already sick of love, my very gentle Valentine.”

During this period, herbs and flowers became an important part of romantic traditions, with people exchanging violets, rosemary, and roses as tokens of affection.

The Rise of Commercialised Romance

By the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine’s Day was firmly embedded in Western culture. The Victorian era brought mass-produced Valentine’s cards, sentimental poetry, and elaborate floral arrangements. The “language of flowers” (floriography) became widely popular, with each bloom carrying symbolic meaning – roses for love, lavender for devotion, violets for faithfulness. 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 – More Than Romance

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.
• 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 (heart support)
• 1 part rose petals (calming and uplifting)
• ½ part cinnamon chips (warming and circulatory support)
• ½ part cacao nibs (gentle mood booster)

Method:

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

Valentine’s Day has evolved from ancient rituals to modern celebrations, but at its heart, it has always been about connection. Love isn’t just in romantic gestures – it’s in the small, daily acts of care. So, whether you mark Valentine’s Day or not, take a moment to tend to your own heart. Brew something warm, step outside, and remember that love is in the quiet, everyday moments.

Kristine x