Valentine's Day is an annual celebration of love and affection, marked on February 14th. Today, it is often associated with cherubs, commonly known as Cupids, but the history behind Cupid and Valentine's Day goes much deeper.
In Greek mythology, Cupid was known as Eros and was the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Ancient Greeks and Romans depicted Eros and Venus as handsome young men, not as the cute cherubs we see in modern Valentine's Day celebrations.
However, ancient poets and artists did imagine a group of Erotes or Cupidines as attendants to these gods. It was the Romans who depicted them as winged infants, or "putti," which eventually became the chubby cherubs of today's valentines.
While the Romans depicted Cupid as having adorable assistants, they also recognized his darker side. Cupid was not just a cute figure; he held the power to ignite love, passion, and even obsession in those he struck with his arrows.
The exact origins of Valentine's Day are unclear, but it is believed to have started as a Christian feast day honoring Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr from the third century. Another theory is that it was created as a Christian alternative to the pagan festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated in mid-February and had connections to love, fertility, and the arrival of spring.
Over the centuries, Valentine's Day has evolved and taken on various forms. During the Middle Ages, the holiday was associated with courtly love and romantic poems and songs. By the 15th and 16th centuries, it had become a popular day for sending love letters and gifts.
In modern times, Valentine's Day has become a major commercial holiday, with the sales of cards, chocolates, flowers, and other gifts. Despite its commercialization, the holiday continues to be a beloved way for people to express their love and affection for their romantic partners, friends, and family.
Cupid, the Roman god of love, has played a significant role in the history of Valentine's Day. Despite his evolution from a handsome young man to a chubby cherub, the power of love he represents remains just as strong. Whether one believes in the magic of Cupid's arrows or not, Valentine's Day remains an important occasion for people worldwide to express their love for each other.
