While Valentine's Day is associated with romantic love and heartfelt gestures, there are indeed some strange and intriguing legends surrounding the holiday. Here are a few:
The origin of Cupid
According to Roman mythology, Cupid, the god of love, is often depicted as a mischievous cherub armed with a bow and arrow. Legend has it that Cupid could cause people to fall in love by shooting them with his magical arrows. The idea of a winged, love-inducing archer adds a touch of whimsy and mystique to the celebration of love.
Love birds
In some medieval European traditions, it was believed that birds began to mate in mid-February. Chaucer, the English poet, wrote about this in his poem Parliament of Fowls. This notion may have contributed to the association of birds, particularly doves, with love and courtship.
The lottery of love
In the medieval and Renaissance eras, some European countries had a curious Valentine's Day custom called drawing for love. During this festival, Young men would draw names of young women from a jar, and the chosen pair would be coupled for the duration of the festival, often leading to long-term relationships.
St. Valentine and healing powers
In medieval times, it was believed that if a woman saw a robin on Valentine's Day, she would marry a sailor, if she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man. St. Valentine was also thought to possess healing powers, and some believed that touching the earth blessed by St. Valentine could cure various ailments.
Valentine's Day weather predictions
In certain European folklore, the weather on Valentine's Day was believed to predict the coming of spring. For example, if it was sunny, it meant an early spring, while a cloudy day suggested a longer winter.
While these legends might seem strange to us today, they add a layer of historical charm and mysticism to the celebration of love on Valentine's Day.
So whether you're a hopeless romantic, or a skeptic of the holiday's origins, there's no denying that Valentine's Day continues to capture the hearts of people around the world, making it a peculiar and enchanting celebration of love - and a great excuse to spoil your loved one!
