What is the origin of Valentine's Day?

The celebration of Saint Valentine's Day, referred to in Latin as "in natali" meaning "on the birthday," has its roots in Christian tradition and is commemorated by the Western Christian Church to honor a martyr named Valentine, as documented in the 8th-century liturgical book known as the Gelasian Sacramentary. In contrast, the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, dedicated to the deities Pan and Juno who represented love, marriage, and fertility, was celebrated from February 13th to 15th. This festival was primarily associated with purification and health and had only a minor link to fertility and no connection to romantic love. The romantic aspects of Saint Valentine's Day were not associated with the holiday until the 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer penned poetry about it, long after the presumed end of Lupercalia celebrations.

Lupercalia was specific to Rome itself, while the broader Festival of Juno Februa, which translates to "Juno the purifier" or "the chaste Juno," took place on February 13th and 14th. Although the Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Pope Gelasius I claims that he put an end to Lupercalia during his papacy from 492 to 496, Methodist theologian Bruce Forbes has pointed out that there is no solid evidence connecting Saint Valentine's Day to Lupercalia's ancient rituals, despite various authors suggesting otherwise.