Wednesday, February 14, 2007

I think my colleagues think I'm a bit of a spoil-sport. I spent a few minutes this morning explaining the history of Valentines Day to them - except they regard it as "attacking" the day...

There were at least three St Valentines, and nobody knows exactly which one's martyrdom is being celebrated today. Whoever it was, he was, I believe, stoned to death by the Romans. However prior to this brutal execution, this date was a pagan celebration of love - it was believed that it was on this date that the birds would choose their nesting mate for the season.





My colleagues seem to think it's a bad thing that I know some of the history and significance of what we celebrate these days as Valentines Day. However it is my view that the general populace should be educated in these matters. Then they could choose whether or not to celebrate depending on whether the events of the past mean anything to them instead of just jumping on Hallmark's bandwagon! I'm sure all holidays and celebrations were made mainstream only by the greeting card industry!

4 comments:

Cazzie!!! said...

Yep, commercialism at it's very best!! Yet, my son came into our room this morning and he gave my hubby and I a gorgeous drwing of an agel and it said, "Happy Valentine's Day Mum and Dad, LOve Nick." Now, I reckon I got no worries of him being a romantic later in life :)

Menchie said...

I agree about the commercialism -- and not just Valentine's Day but Mother's Day as well.

I think it's great that you know the history. It's nice to learn something new.

Romeo Morningwood said...

I usually adhere to the bishop of Interamna version who as I posted was executed for secretly marrying soldiers despite the crazy emperor Claudius's edict prohibiting it.

I find it very interesting that the Catholic Church transformed pagan Roman rituals and turned them into Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day...the fact that we are still stuck with them after 2 millenia is disturbing..but what are ya gonna do?

WithinWithout said...

"YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!!" -- Jack Nicholson in that movie with wotshisname and wotshername.

It sounds like that was the reaction you were getting from your friends, Stace.

People cover their eyes and ears from the truth every day. I say keep telling it, girl.