Valentine Celebration: Yay or Nay?

Many stories exists about how the valentine celebration came to be. Some stories are attributed to a priest (by name Valentine) imprisoned for marrying soldiers who were forbidden to marry, and in the course of his execution, wrote a letter to his beau(?) with an end which read- “your valentine”. The man was said to have been executed on the 14^th of February and it was perhaps in looking back at the mistake that was made in executing an innocent soul that the day became a sacred and declared day for the celebration of love as it were.

Another associates its origin to two forms of religious beliefs: The first religious origin is that of Lupercalia- a religious (fertility) ritual performed in ancient Rome somewhere between the 13^th and 15^th of February in which sacrifices using the blood of goats and dogs were made and men were made to pick a young woman’s name through the aid of ballot. Whoever the man picked for the day became his sexual partner till the next valentine. History later recounts that the orthodox churches in order to stop such amidst their members resolved to make the day a ‘day of purification of the blessed virgin Mary’, hence, the second religious belief the day is hinged on. The day based on the second religious story ended up becoming a day of showing love and care to loved ones, instead of the way it was done initially.

In countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Valentine’s Day is frowned upon heavily, and any shop seen selling things associated with valentine (such as red roses and the likes) in excess during the valentine periods are usually penalized. This is because Valentine in these areas are viewed to be a religious (Christian) celebration and being a Muslim country, want nothing to do with it. In other countries, especially European countries, valentine (based on the premise of fertility) is seen to be associated with a saint that brings about the advent of spring. Places like Norfolk just like Halloween have decided to make a fun character out of it by knocking on the rear doors of houses and leaving sweets and presents for children.

Not that I’ve really celebrated valentine as it were in times past, but then for some reasons, I’m really beginning to wonder if it’s something I want to make a ‘forever’ part of me as it is, knowing fully well that for a functional relationship or perhaps friendship, any day can be valentine day as it were. But then, on the flip side is the fun part where just like we have Father’s day, Mother’s day and the likes, it’s not an out of step thing to have a day set aside for lovers or perhaps friends, to honour their love and affection for each other through the giving (or exchange as it were) of material gifts.

No doubt, some religious organizations choosing to identify with the immorality of the day based on the Lupercalia version have made moves to ban the celebration of the day based on their fact that it indeed makes people- especially young people- go wild and it is in essence a continuation of the ritual with which the day/season started with in the first place, other religious organizations in contrast have chosen to organize picnics, parties, picnics and the likes to commemorate the day.

So, here comes the question: Inasmuch as valentine’s day has come to stay, and for good, what do you as an individual think about it? A yay or a nay? Besides, which story would you rather go with? Comment below and let a discussion begin. Perhaps through your comment, many people with little enthusiasm for the day like me can pick up their enthusiasm and in earnest, join the billion and one people in the world to make the day the fun it is.

Till I come your way next week Wednesday, let’s all have a good week and happy Valentine’s Day in advance.

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