Posted on : 25th January 2011
Every celebration is representative of a past event or an occurrence
which may have happened on the 'date' some years, months or days back.
The occasion of Valentines Day on February 14 has a similar association
with it. It is understood to have originated as a Christian religious
festival honoring a Saint. This is another reason for it being referred
to by the name of Saint Valentine's Day or St. Valentines Day. Its
origins date back to ancient Rome of 270 AD. It was due to the rebellion
and sacrifice of a catholic priest with the same name that this day came
to be celebrated. Saint Valentine supported lovers or couples in love by
getting them married against the wishes of the then Emperor Claudius.
Day of Romance and Fertility
Some other associations with Valentines Day are related to the spring
season. The spring season begins around mid February in most parts of
the world. Therefore, this is the time when birds (in the European
subcontinent where this festival originated) go out and look for their
mates. This is the reason that this day has been chosen for its
reference to the mating season of birds and to fertility. Another
association of Valentines Day is to some fertility festivals of early
European era. Ancient Athenians (people of Greek origin) observed
February as the month of Gamelion to celebrate the marriage of Greek
Gods - Zeus and Hera, ancient Romans (people who lived in the Roman
empire, Rome is the capital of the present day Italy) celebrated the
Feast of Lupercalia to honor the Roman Gods of fertility - Lupercus and
Faunus.
Present Day Context
The present day context of this festival is as a day that honors love,
commitment and promises for a life together. And understandably so,
since we as a people hanker after those things that are usually lacking
in the world around us. This is a major reason for this craze regarding
love and romance. Though, there is a rising trend of 'celebrating love
in all its forms', this festival mainly retains its initial relevance to
romantic love. It is still known more for its affiliation to romance and
sensuousness than for any other kind of bond.
Views on Valentines Day Celebrations
There are conflicting views on the celebration of
Valentine's Day. Some
people still recognise it as a Christian festival. And thus, do not even
acknowledge its presence as an event to be marked in a calender year.
The people who are critical of Valentines Day have two reasons to back
their approach. One is the distinct religious leanings of this
celebration. The other is that some people simply find this celebration
silly, frivolous and impractical. Then there are those who are not
bothered about the origins of this festival and associate it with
rediscovering love and romance. It is to this group of Valentine Day
lovers that this day owes its popularity to.
Valentine's Day has also undergone a transformation from a quiet,
unassuming observance to a loud commercialized affair. There are
different takes on this aspect among the world population. Some people
celebrate this day with pomp and gaiety whereas others keep it a private
affair. This approach to festivities of Valentines Day depends on two
factors, one of which is the cultural and familial influences, the other
is the age factor. There is an age and stage for these celebrations, but
then some people never lose their innocent approach to love and life.
