Valentine day: A pagan festival for pairing off men and women

Valentine day: A pagan festival for pairing off men and women

Valentine’s Day has its roots in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated in mid-February. The festival, which honored the god Lupercus, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. It is believed that the pope was attempting to Christianize the festival, which is why he chose a saint, rather than a pagan god, to be honored. Over the centuries, the holiday grew sweeter. The first association of Valentine’s Day with love and romance is believed to have been in the 14th century, when it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14th was the beginning of birds' mating season.

Happy Valentine's Day is an annual celebration of love and affection, typically celebrated on February 14th each year. It originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is a popular holiday in many countries around the world and is observed by exchanging cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts. The celebration of love is also often marked by special meals, parties, and other activities.

Saint Valentine: The founder

Saint Valentine was a 3rd century Roman saint widely associated with courtly love. The exact identity of Valentine is debated and may refer to one or more saints of the Catholic Church, but the most widely accepted view is that he was a priest from Rome. He was martyred in 269 AD and was buried at a Christian cemetery on the Via Flaminia. He is remembered in the Catholic liturgical calendar on February 14th, the date of his martyrdom. His feast day is celebrated in many countries around the world, in the form of festivals and special meals.

Valentine's day: Day to promote extra marital activities

Valentine's Day has sometimes been criticized for promoting extra-marital activities. The holiday has become associated with overly romanticized and sometimes unrealistic expectations, leading to disappointment and dissatisfaction when those expectations are not met. Additionally, Valentine's Day has come to symbolize a pressure to be in a romantic relationship, which can be difficult or uncomfortable for those who are single. Valentine's Day has been criticized for promoting consumerism, as it has become a day when people spend money on gifts such as cards, chocolates, and flowers. Additionally, some people feel that the holiday has become overly commercialized, emphasizing material displays of love rather than true emotional connection. Finally, the holiday has sometimes been associated with activities such as infidelity and extra-marital affairs, which can have a negative impact on relationships.

Lupercalia: Fertility Test & Lottery System

Lupercalia was an ancient Roman festival held in mid-February to honor the god Lupercus. The festival was celebrated by a sacrifice at the Lupercal, a cave where the she-wolf was believed to have nursed Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome. During the festival, priests known as the Luperci would sacrifice a goat and a dog, then use the hides of the animals to whip women in the hopes of increasing their fertility. In addition to this, young men and women were paired off by lottery for a year in order to foster friendships and relationships. Given its pagan roots and rituals, many people believe that the celebration of Lupercalia should no longer be observed.

Final Thoughts:

Muslims are recommended not to observe Valentine's Day, since it is a Christian festival. Most notable Muslim scholars concur that it is haram and a serious transgression in Islam to celebrate Valentine's Day, as it may involve other unlawful activities such as dancing, music, and mingling of non-Mahrams. It is wise to stay away from non-Islamic festivals and adhere to the Qur'an and Sunnah. According to the Quran, Allah has instructed believers to worship Him alone, and avoid any idolatry or polytheism (Quran 4:36). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has also taught us to be righteous and kind to others, and to stay away from any form of sin or transgression (Sunnah).

 

References:

      i.        -Brundage, James. Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe. University of Chicago Press, 1987.

    ii.        -Ferguson, George. Signs and Symbols in Christian Art. Oxford University Press, 1954.

   iii.        -Rosen, Keith. The History and Significance of Valentine's Day. ABC-CLIO, 2007.

   iv.        Explain this:-Brundage, James. Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe. University of Chicago Press, 1987.

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