February 14th, Valentine’s Day, enamorad@s Day, Day of Love and Friendship and for otr@s, just another day. What are the origins of this day? Who was this gentleman? Did you leave El Corte Inglés to increase sales? In this article, we will answer these questions and tell you about other curiosities and peculiarities that have left us atónit@s.
Valentine’s Day is a celebration that commemorates love and affection in all its forms, regardless of sexual orientation and religious beliefs. This celebration is of Christian origin and was introduced in the year 496 by Pope Gelasius I to commemorate the benefits of Saint Valentine.
During the years 268-270 A.D., Emperor Claudius II banned the Catholic religion. Anyone who practiced it was prosecuted and punished with imprisonment, banishment or even the death penalty. During this time, the Good Samaritan Saint Valentine married soldiers to his fiancées in secret, in the dungeons of ancient Rome. It seems that Claudius II’s intention was to banish him, but the pressure and influence of other high officials ordered him to be beheaded. Legend also has it that, during the days of his captivity, he met the blind daughter of the prison judge. Valentin, as he awaited her tragic end, prayed that the young woman would be able to see. On the way from the jail to the public square for his execution, Valentine handed the girl a piece of paper and said, “Here, so you can read it.” The girl, not understanding anything, opened the paper and was able to read “Your Valentine” as a farewell.
The reason for the establishment of St. Valentine, in addition to remembering the courage of this loving lord, was also because Pope Gelasius I wanted to counteract a pagan practice that was celebrated on February 15. It was called Lupercalia and, pay attention because at Abrassame we were ojiplátic@s when we found out what it was based on. It consisted of women waiting to be beaten with whips made of goats and dogs and soaked in the animals’ own blood because this rite was believed to grant fertility. Luckily Gelasius I achieved his goal and eventually this terrible practice disappeared.
Already in the middle of the 20th century, since the industrial revolution, the great world powers began to promote consumerism. And, among other actions to encourage purchases, to celebrate this day they included products related to Valentine’s Day such as cards, flowers, chocolates… etc to show love to your partner, amig@ or even family members. As we’ve said before, love is celebrated in all its forms, regardless of your sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
At Abrassame we have prepared a special menu for you to live the most loving day of the year with the person or people you want. Although in Abrassame, as our name suggests, we celebrate love every day, whether it is Valentine’s Day or not.