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Lupercalia: A Brief History and Its Connection to Valentine'..

Published: February 14th 2025, 3:53:54 pm

Lupercalia: A Brief History and Its Connection to Valentine's Day

Lupercalia was an ancient Roman festival celebrated from February 13th to 15th, honouring Faunus, the Roman god of fertility, agriculture, and shepherds. The festival was also associated with the Roman founders, Romulus and Remus, who were said to have been raised by a she-wolf.

During Lupercalia, Roman priests would sacrifice animals, then use the hides to discipline women as a fertility ritual. The women would line up to receive sensual lashes, believing it would increase their fertility and ease birth. The festival also involved feasting, matchmaking, and pairing women with men through a lottery system.

The Christian church attempted to eliminate the pagan festival by establishing St. Valentine's Day on February 14th. According to legend, St. Valentine was a Christian priest who performed secret marriages during the 3rd century AD. Valentine was executed on February 14th.