Valentine’s Day is believed to be of pagan origin

Even though most people believe that Valentine's day takes place on the death day of Saint Valentine, some historians say that this Christian holiday has a lot in common with the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. The ancient festival of Lupercalia was observed on February 13 through 15 in order to honor Faunus, the Roman god of fertility. The Lupercalia festival was partly in honor of Lupa, the she-wolf who suckled the founders of Rome.

The festival usually began with the sacrifice of two goats (for fertility) and a dog (for purification). Men used the hides of the immolated animals to gently hit young women as they believed it will make the women fertile. Ladies usually put their names in a jar for a Roman bachelor to pick a name of the woman he liked most.

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

59 Comments

James Vetzel

The holiday's roots are in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine's Day. NOW YOU GET YOUR FACT'S RIGHT!

Larry Freeman

Since paganism dates back 23,000 years, most observences not directly related to the three Abrahamic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islamic, can be traced from it.

Robert Lippincott

so you tell us what the FACTS are ok?

Gail Kingston

Paul Ensign, all things were pagan Jewish read James's answer da!!!

Jack Buechner

Paul Ensign, as of the Solar Eclipse during which the ABC anchors would not use the word SAINT but instead referred to JOSEPH , MO. (about 250 miles from LOUIS) perhaps it has now been renamed the Valentine's Massacre.

Christina McKenzie

Why? Dawn Heistand,

Rosemary Hudson

All these notions that all days have their root in pagan history.....I had heard it started with children sending valentines and it has mushroomed into the day that is celebrated in a lot of the world to celebrate love of friends, family and those dear to our heart..

Hugh Bishop

All holidays are of pagan Origin. Just read the encyclopedia. After the apostasy in the first century, the so called Christian church adopted pagan holidays and gave them Christian names. Constantine was a major player in this farce.

Wanda Baker

Thanks for the compliment Paul ensign

Wanda Baker

I got it

sailpappy

Nice analogy Larry Freeman, some here are just too smart to understand that these question's are researched and proven before they get published for game play, nice to see someone else actually can articulate their point, you are correct since none of those religions existed 23,000 years ago!