Scholars and historians speculate on the origins of St. Valentine’s Day, suggesting it may have roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia. Celebrated between the 13th and 15th of February, Lupercalia honored the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus, and the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, according to history.com.
During Lupercalia, Roman priests would conduct rituals involving the sacrifice of animals, particularly goats and dogs, to promote fertility and purification. They would then use the hides of these animals to gently slap women and crop fields, believing the practice enhanced fertility.
Additionally, a tradition emerged where young women would place their names in an urn, and city bachelors would choose a name to become paired with for the year, often resulting in marriages.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
