Valentine’s Day: A Simple History and Why We Give Chocolate

A Simple History of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day: A Day Ruled by the Goddess of Love and Fertility

Valentine’s Day is known as a day for lovers. But its origins go back even further, to the Roman Empire roughly 1,700 years ago.

February 14th was the feast day of Juno, the goddess of marriage and childbirth, deeply worshipped by the Romans.

On this day, there was a peculiar custom tied to the festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held the following day. Young men and women would draw lots to determine their partners for the duration of the festival.

During Lupercalia, young men and women would run naked through the streets, praying for fertility.

The day before the festival, women would write their names on pieces of paper and place them in a jar.

On the day of the festival, men would draw a name from the jar, and the woman whose name was drawn would become his partner for the festival.

It is said that many couples fell in love and got married after spending time together during this festival.

Another origin story of Valentine’s Day involves a priest named Valentinus.

At that time, Roman Emperor Claudius II had forbidden marriage for soldiers, believing that love and family would make them less willing to fight bravely in battle.

However, Valentinus defied the emperor’s orders and secretly performed weddings for soldiers. This act angered the emperor, and Valentinus was eventually executed.

It is said that because Valentinus was executed on February 14th, the feast day of Juno and the eve of Lupercalia, this day came to be known as “Valentine’s Day.”

Valentine’s Day: A Day of Love, History, and Culture Intertwined

Valentine’s Day is more than just a “day for lovers.” Its meaning has evolved over time, and today it’s a day to express affection not only to romantic partners but also to cherished friends and family.

Tracing its roots, we arrive at a Christian holiday commemorating Saint Valentine, who was executed in the 3rd century during the Roman Empire.

His act of sacrificing his life to unite loving couples is what spread Valentine’s Day as a “symbol of love.”

Valentine’s Day also bears the influence of Lupercalia, a pagan festival.

The rituals of praying for a good harvest and fertility, as well as the custom of young men and women choosing partners by drawing lots, can be seen as elements inherited by Valentine’s Day.

In this way, Valentine’s Day has been shaped over a long history as a symbolic event of love and connection, originating in ancient times.

While some criticize its commercial aspects, understanding its historical and cultural background allows us to rediscover its true meaning as a day to express our feelings to loved ones, close friends, and family.

Latin “Valentinus” is “Valentine” in English.

Why Was Valentine (Valentinus the Priest) Executed?

Why was Valentinus, the priest who inspired Valentine’s Day, executed?

In the 3rd century Roman Empire, Emperor Claudius II forbade marriage for soldiers to boost their morale.

He believed that having a loving family or sweetheart would make soldiers fear death on the battlefield and discourage them from fighting bravely.

However, Valentinus, a Christian priest, defied the emperor’s orders and secretly performed weddings for soldiers.

For soldiers longing to marry, Valentinus was a true savior.

Eventually, Valentinus’ actions reached the emperor’s ears, and he was arrested.

The emperor ordered Valentinus to renounce Christianity and worship the Roman gods.

However, Valentinus refused to abandon his faith and continued to preach Christian teachings.

The emperor, angered by Valentinus’ defiance, decided to execute him. And so, on February 14th, Valentinus was executed.

Valentinus is remembered throughout history as a martyr who fought for those he loved, even at the cost of his own life.

The Hidden Scary Story of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day evokes images of love and happiness, but did you know that a chilling history lurks behind it?

Lupercalia, a festival held in ancient Roman times, is considered one of the origins of Valentine’s Day. In this festival, young men and women would choose partners by drawing lots and spend time together during the festival period.

While it may seem like a romantic custom at first glance, it also had a terrifying side.

There is a theory that during Lupercalia, animals were sacrificed to pray for a good harvest, and rituals were performed using their blood.

There was also a shocking ritual where men would wear goat skins and whip women. This was believed to promote fertility and ward off evil spirits, but it appears cruel to us today.

The early Christian church, when incorporating the pagan Lupercalia into Christianity, is said to have emphasized the martyrdom of Saint Valentine to dispel its barbaric image.

In this way, the origins of Valentine’s Day contain elements of sacrifice, blood, and violence, which are unacceptable in modern times.

Nevertheless, Valentine’s Day has evolved over time and is now celebrated worldwide as a day for lovers to reaffirm their love. However, knowing its history allows us to appreciate the deeper meaning of Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day in Japan and Around the World

Why Do We Give Chocolate on Valentine’s Day? A Unique Evolution in Japan

The custom of giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day is quite unusual when viewed from a global perspective.

So why did it become customary to give chocolate on Valentine’s Day in Japan?

A Culture Born from Post-War Marketing Strategies

It is said that the custom of giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day in Japan became established largely due to the marketing strategies of the confectionery industry.

In the 1950s, Mary Chocolate Company proposed the novel idea of “a day for women to give chocolate to the men they love” in an attempt to promote Valentine’s Day in a uniquely Japanese way.

At that time in Japan, it was not very common for women to actively express their love.

The concept of “a day for women to express their love once a year” brought a new trend to such an era and resonated with many women.

Why Was Chocolate Chosen?

There are several possible reasons why chocolate was chosen as a Valentine’s Day gift.

• Accessibility: At the time, chocolate was a relatively affordable gift.
• Special Feeling: Chocolate, which still had a luxurious image, felt special as a gift.
• Long Shelf Life: Chocolate has a long shelf life, making it easy to sell.
• Romantic Image: Sweet and lovely chocolate perfectly matched the image of Valentine’s Day.

Strategies of Department Stores and Manufacturers

In the 1970s, department stores and chocolate manufacturers actively promoted “Valentine’s chocolate.”

Department stores set up special Valentine’s Day sections, and various types of chocolate were sold.

These sales strategies were successful, and the custom of giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day spread explosively.

Diverse Gift-Giving Styles

In recent years, gift-giving styles have diversified, including not only “honmei-choco” (chocolate for someone you truly love) but also “giri-choco” (obligation chocolate), “tomo-choco” (chocolate for friends), and “jibun-choco” (chocolate for oneself).

Valentine’s Day is no longer just an event for lovers but an opportunity to express gratitude to various people, such as friends and colleagues.

The History of Valentine’s Day in Japan

How did Valentine’s Day become established in Japan?

It is believed that Valentine’s Day was introduced from Europe, but the exact origin is unknown.

Valentine’s Day Around the World: Diverse Expressions of Love and Gratitude

Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide, but the way it is celebrated varies greatly from country to country.

In Japan, the unique custom of women giving chocolate to men has taken root, but in other countries, it is generally a day for lovers to exchange gifts and go out for romantic dinners to reaffirm their love.

Gifts are not limited to chocolate, but also include flowers, accessories, cards, and much more.

So, how exactly is Valentine’s Day celebrated in other countries? Let’s take a look at some examples.

The West: Expressing Love and Gratitude to Lovers, Family, and Friends

In the West, Valentine’s Day is recognized as a day to express love and gratitude not only to lovers and spouses, but also to family and friends.

• USA: It is customary for men to give women bouquets of red roses. Restaurants are fully booked, and the city is filled with heart decorations, creating a romantic mood. Lovers enjoy romantic dinners, friends exchange gifts, and families express their gratitude to each other. Children exchange Valentine’s cards at school and look forward to this day. The economic impact of Valentine’s Day is said to exceed 2 trillion yen, showing how important an event it is for Americans.
• UK: It is common to write “Be my Valentine” on Valentine’s cards. The fact that Valentine’s Day appears in Shakespeare’s works shows that it has been a popular day to express love since ancient times. Popular gifts for loved ones include flowers, chocolates, and stuffed animals.
• France: As befits a country known as the “land of love,” Valentine’s Day is celebrated in grand style. Lovers dine in romantic restaurants with views of the Eiffel Tower or cafes along the Seine River, and exchange luxurious gifts. There are also special events and concerts held for Valentine’s Day, attracting large crowds.
• Italy: It seems that many couples go on trips to romantic places. Beautiful cities such as Venice and Florence are crowded with couples during Valentine’s Day. There is also a famous custom of attaching “love padlocks” to bridges, where lovers pledge their eternal love by attaching a padlock to a bridge and throwing the key into the river.

In this way, Valentine’s Day in the West is not only a day to express feelings to loved ones, but also a day to deepen bonds with family and friends.

Northern Europe: A Day to Deepen Friendships

In Finland and Estonia, Valentine’s Day is known as “Friends’ Day,” and people exchange gifts and express their gratitude to their friends.

In particular, there is a custom of giving flowers, and flower shops in the city are crowded with people during Valentine’s Day.

South America: A Day for Declarations of Love

In South America, Valentine’s Day is a day for declarations of love and is especially popular among the younger generation. Lovers spend special time together by going on dates in romantic places and exchanging gifts.

Other Regions

• Philippines: Mass weddings are held in the streets, and there are various ways to celebrate depending on the country.
• Ghana: As a world-famous producer of cacao beans, there is a custom of giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day as “National Chocolate Day.”
• South Korea: Similar to Japan, it is a day for women to give chocolate to men.

As you can see, Valentine’s Day has various cultures and customs depending on the country and region.

The Japanese custom of women giving chocolate to men on Valentine’s Day is quite rare in the world.

A Brief Look at the History of Valentine’s Day

• Valentine’s Day originated in the Roman Empire, approximately 1,700 years ago.
• It was initially a day that combined the celebration of the goddess Juno and the fertility festival of Lupercalia.
• A Christian priest named Valentinus was executed for defying the emperor’s orders and performing weddings for soldiers.
• February 14th, the date of Valentinus’ execution, later became known as “Valentine’s Day.”
• Valentine’s Day was introduced to Japan in the 1930s, originally as a day for lovers to exchange cards and gifts.
• From the 1950s, the confectionery industry began promoting it as a day for women to give chocolate to men as a marketing strategy.
• In the late 1970s, Valentine’s Day became explosively popular in Japan, and giri-choco (obligation chocolate) and White Day emerged.
• In recent years, various ways of enjoying Valentine’s Day, such as tomo-choco (chocolate for friends) and jibun-choco (chocolate for oneself), have become widespread.
• In other countries, Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers to reaffirm their love by exchanging gifts and having meals together.
• Gifts are not limited to chocolate but include flowers, accessories, and cards.
• In the West, Valentine’s Day is recognized as a day to express love and gratitude to lovers, family, and friends.
• In Northern Europe, Valentine’s Day is “Friends’ Day,” where friends exchange gifts.
• In South America, Valentine’s Day is a day for declarations of love, especially popular among young people.
• There are various unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day around the world.
• Valentine’s Day has evolved over time and is now celebrated worldwide as a day to express love and gratitude.