The modern day celebration of Valentine’s Day has changed throughout history. It is hard to say its original roots, however, we know it comes from ancient Rome and Christianity. One legend is based during ancient Roman times. The holiday was celebrated during the festival of Luperaclia (a festival to honor Faunus/Pan, the god of fertility). This festival was celebrated during the time of February 13-15th. Although there are so many interpretations of what this festival actually celebrated, we do know that it was known as a festival of love and fertility. As time went on the influence of Christianity banned these pagan celebrations. During the third century, a priest named Valentine secretly performed marriages during the rein of Claudius. The Roman Emperor had banned young men, from marriage. He felt that his young soldiers should not have any emotional attachments to their families. This was a shock to the Roman people. Eventually, Valentine was arrested and put in prison, where he met Asterius, his jailor, Asterius begged Valentine to help his blind daughter, as there were rumors that Valentine possessed saintly healing powers. When Valentine met Asterius’s daughter, she regained some of her sight and they fell in love. On the day of his execution, February 14th, he wrote a love letter to her, believed to say, “From your Valentine”. This day was then celebrated by handwritten notes of affection to lovers, both in France and England. This special day in Hawai'i, which celebrates love, has grown from the ancient times to the present, bringing with it, the symbols of ancient mythology with the use of the famous Cupid, (love) and the arrow (signifying passion or desire); the arrow was pointed toward the gods or humans to capture their love. Here in Hawai'i, we celebrate this day, giving one another words of love (Aloha), gifts of chocolates and exotic flowers. We send FLOWERS as a symbol of our love(Aloha), such amazing FLOWERS of heart shaped RED ANTHURIUMS, red roses and live colorful orchid plants. It is one of the most popular and ancient holidays that still exist and although it has changed to modern times, it has been celebrated since the beginning of time...Hau'oli La Aloha(Love)! Happy Valentine's Day!
