the day we celebrate with our beloved one with candy, flowers and gifts, or maybe just a fancy, romantic dinner at some fancy restaurant?
But where did these traditions come from? The legend of the St. Valentine was not exactly that romantic...After all, it is about a a Saint whom were martyred by the Roman Emperor Claudius II. I may not be the most romantic person here, but how is that romantic?!
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families,
he outlawed marriage for young men.
Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
he outlawed marriage for young men.
Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured... oh~ how romantic...
The only thing that may find some sort of romance, is the version where an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl, possibly his jailer's daughter, who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine", an expression that is still in use today.
Outside of it, I hear only drama and tragedy around this guy. So what I'm wondering is, how did this history/legend transformed into something as romantic as today's Valentines? I kind of find this funny, anyways...
Happy Valentines to you too.
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