ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12480, 16 February 1935, Page 2

ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

ORIGIN OF THE CUSTOM

(By Mary Ramsay Ellen Blair.)

St. Valentine was a Christian martyr of the Emperor Claudius’s reign (circa. 270). Before Gregory the Great’s time, his festival was commemorated on February 14. The custom of sending valentines had no connection with the saint, hut had its origin in a practise of heathenism associated with the worship of Juno, that fell about that date in the calendar. It was believed in ancient days that birds annually paired on the day that Jvino was honored, and so Juno and St. Valentine became accidentally inteririirigled in the' popular observances.

With the .passing pf the years, the observance has varied, and noWj I believe, it lias totally waned. I was a small girl when first I knew anything of Valentine’s Day—a huge hideous red and. Black valentine hung on the wall and I was told it was a “valentine.” Next, I was shown my new sister Valentine arid I could not understand why they had called her after the. ugly colofed picture. When I grew older I had beautiful valentines sent me—all satin, fringe, lace,,padding and scent: I still have one and it carries the . date 1885, and the tiny printed poetry cart still be read on it.

It is a pity so many customs drop out,'for life’s, variety is its spice.