Is Valentine’s Day Just About Chocolate?

Yes, we know you’ve been waiting for it! The day when you get loads of heart-shaped candy and boxes of chocolate. Although Valentine’s Day isn’t considered a federal holiday, it’s still celebrated around the world today. But aside from all the bells and whistles of this cheerful holiday, what is Valentine’s Day all about? Who started this day of affection? Is there more to this festivity than just the decorations and treats?

Every year on February 14th we celebrate love, but when and why is this holiday now recognized around the world? Have you ever heard of the term, “Be My Valentine”? This phrase can be traced back all the way to Ancient Rome with a saint named Valentine. Unfortunately, there is no solid evidence of which historical figure exactly led to the start of Valentine’s Day. Therefore, the best results are the multiple legends of saints named Valentine or Valentinus who were all martyred according to the Catholic Churches. 

One story states that when Emperor Claudius II of Rome ordered that all young, single men are not allowed to marry given they performed better during wars. Despite this law, Saint Valentine, since he thought it was unfair, performed marriages in secret. Once Claudius II found out, he sentenced Valentine to death. Some say that it was bishop Saint Valentine of Terni who holds this title of origin. Similarly, he was also executed by Claudius II outside of Rome. Others say that Valentine was put to death trying to free Christians from ruthless Roman Prisons.

The phrase, “Be my Valentine” is said to be derived from a story that took place in 1415. When England won over the French in the Battle of Agincourt, they captured members of French royalty, which included Charles, Duke of Orléans. Back in France, the Duke had a lover, Bonne of Armagnac who was awaiting his return. When Charles was held prisoner in the Tower of London, he wrote her a poem that called her, “My very gentle Valentine…”. Sadly, that day that they would meet in person never came. The Bonne of Armagnac died before Charles was released.

Now that we have discussed who may have been behind the meaning of Valentine’s Day, let us dive into how the actual holiday evolved into what it is now. Some people say Valentine’s Day is celebrated to honor Valentine’s death date which was in the middle of February around 270 A.D., while others say it was the Church’s way to normalize and replace the in-Christian ways of the Lupercalia festival that was celebrated on February 15th. This celebration involved killing a goat and a dog to purify the city and help women have more children. In the 5th century A.D., Pope Gelasius tried to focus on a new and more Christian holidays to celebrate St. Valentine.

Even though there’s more to Valentine’s Day than all the candy and cards, it doesn’t mean it isn’t important to this holiday. Speaking of candy and sweets, the recognizable heart-shaped Valentine’s Day chocolate has some interesting history to it! In the 1840s, as Valentine’s Day became more popular, the first box of chocolate was born. The Victorians rapidly began to express their love for one another with extravagant cards and gifts. A man named Richard Cadbury came up with a big marketing moment when he decided to sell off the extra chocolate from his new, pure cocoa butter idea that made “drinking chocolate” into little bits of chocolate in a beautifully designed box. After that, it was easy to take the roses and cupids and slap them on a heart-shaped box. And the Valentine’s Day chocolate boxes were born.

Let’s hear what students’ favorite thing is about Valentine’s Day:

“The chocolate.” (Kannon Cadrez 8th)

“I love to feel the bonds or when people come together and create more friendships and show kindness to each other.” (Emerson Maines 7th)

“We have a fun dinner.” (Eden Campbell 6th)

There are many tales where the holiday came from, but regardless the holiday is about the strength, determination, and celebration of love. It’s all about enjoying your loved ones around you and appreciating them. What is your favorite thing about Valentine’s Day? Share your thoughts in the comments! 

Sources

Zapata, Christian. “Valentine’s Day 2024: Origins, Background & Traditions | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 22 Dec. 2009, www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2%0A. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

The. “Valentine’s Day | Definition, History, & Traditions.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 July 1998, www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day%0A. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Manager, Product. “Origin of Valentine’s Day: Who Was St Valentine and How Did the Traditions Begin?” Nicholas Wylde, 29 Jan. 2018, www.nicholaswylde.com/february-2018-newsletter/origin-valentines-day-st-valentine-traditions-begin/.