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Feb 13, 1101
Lupercalia
Lupercalia was an Ancient Roman holiday. Lupercalia was named for the wolf that suckled the infant Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Lupercalia started on the 13 of February, ending on the 15. During this holiday, men would run around naked, wacking people with bloody goatskins. Goats represented fertility, and it was believed wacking women with bloody goatskins would make them fertile. -
Period: Feb 13, 1101 to
History of Valentine's Day
*NOTE: I couldn't get it to do BC, so I got it as close as possible. -
Jan 1, 1180
The Establishing of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day was named for a Christian martyr, Saint Valentine (big shocker, right?). It was established 496, AD, by Pope Gelasius I. -
Jan 1, 1200
The Abolishing of Lupercalia
Over the years (since the first century AD), Lupercalia was toned down A LOT. As in, the men wacking people with goatskins actually wore something, among other things. The Pope was pressured into ending Lupercalia completely. In the last decade of the fifth century, AD, Lupercalia was officially ended. -
Valentine's Day Takes Off- US
In the mid-1800s, Valentine's Day took off in the US, probably thanks to cardmakers. -
Valentine's Day Becomes More Popular
People began exchanging gifts such as candies, flowers, and chocolates, in addition to cards and notes. -
Valentine's Day Infects Japan
Morinaga Chocolate Company promoted Valentine's Day. Only women give chocolate in Japan, though. There are three kinds of chocolate:
Giri Choco- obligatory chocolate, given to co-workers and family
Honmei Choco- hearfelt chocolate, given to a guy she likes or her significant other
Tomo Choco- given to female friends -
Introduction of White Day
In Japan, the giving of chocolate on Valentine's Day means obligation for men on White Day. On White Day, men give women gifts (okaeshi) worth double or triple the amount of what they were given on Valentine's Day. Traditionally, they give white chocolate, marshmallows, cakes, or cookies, but in recent years that has changed into giving them gifts of virtually anything, which is still the traditional white color.
