Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Ya know, I think that this day could be one of the most (if not THE most) hated day of the year. And ya know what, I think I hate it too. Because what single person would like a day in which all the "happy couples" around them publicize their affection for the world to see? It's just a reminder that it's another year later and I'm even more single than the year before. Right? WRONG!
I hate Valentine's Day because of all of the people who have that stupid mentality. Do you even know the story of how Valentine's day originated and the st. it was named for?
It started in the 4th century with a type of Roman celebration in which the names of unmarried Roman women were placed in a box. These names were then randomly drawn by men, who would use these women for "entertainment"(we all know what that means). This "lottery" was held at the end of every year and men would receive a new woman for the next, upcoming year. This celebration honored the Roman diety Lupercus, the god of fertility.
The early church hoped to put an end to this practice. They named Valentine a saint, in hopes that he would replace Lupercus. But who is this Valentine?
Valentine was a bishop who was martyred for his practice of marrying couples, even though it was against laws set by the emporer Claudius. Claudius believed that soldiers who were married didn't fight well in battle, and therefore, made the act of becoming married illegal. When Valentine refused to give up his ways and honor the Roman diety of Lupercus, Claudius ordered him to be executed. Valentine was then stoned, clubbed, and beheaded. Romantic, right?
The Pope eventually outlawed the Luperican festival, replacing it with a new type of lottery. Now, names of saints were placed in a box, and both men and women chose a saint's name out of the box. The lucky drawer then had to attempt to emulate the life of the saint's name they had drawn during the upcoming year (sorry fellas).
So, while many people may read the story and say "well yea, this St. Valentine honored marriage," that's not what I see. I look at this legend, or theory, or myth, and see a man who loved people so much, he was willing to risk his freedom/life to marry those in love. So is this day a celebration of marriage? Yes, it is. But I believe it should be more of a celebration of those friends and family we love so much, the ones we say we would give our life for. After all, this Valentine didn't even know the people he was risking his life for.
So stop sulking and go do something nice for someone you love <3
http://www.suite101.com/content/history-behind-valentines-day-a338183
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