Valentine's Day: Origins, History, and Date of the Festival of Love
Every year, February 14 comes around as a matter of course. It’s a date known to all, anticipated by some, dreaded by others, but rarely questioned. Behind this celebration of love, however, lies a history that is far older and more complex than it appears.
At Sessile, we love to explore the origins of floral traditions to better understand their stories and what they continue to convey today.
The Origins of Valentine's Day
A celebration of love for some, a purely commercial event for others, Valentine’s Day has endured through the ages and across borders without ever disappearing. Behind the bouquets given and the gestures of affection exchanged lies an older history, shaped by beliefs, rituals, and cultural shifts.
Who was Saint Valentine?
The figure of Saint Valentine is not that of a single man, but rather a name shared by several Christian martyrs of the 3rd century. In Rome as well as in Terni, accounts overlap, sometimes contradict one another, and eventually merge into a single figure, shrouded in legend.
One of the best-known stories says that Saint Valentine performed wedding ceremonies in secret, defying Emperor Claudius II’s ban. Although difficult to verify historically, this story has played a major role in linking his name to love and marriage.
A holiday with Christian origins
Originally, however, Valentine's Day had nothing romantic about it. It was first and foremost a religious holiday, included in the Christian calendar in memory of a martyr.
The Church is also said to have sought to Christianize certain ancient pagan festivals, notably the Lupercalia, celebrated in Rome in February and associated with fertility. This gradual shift helped make February 14 a symbolic date, long before its modern interpretation.
I find my bouquet of flowers
The History of Valentine's Day Through the Centuries
It was during the Middle Ages that Valentine's Day began to undergo a significant shift. The holiday gradually moved away from its strictly religious roots and entered the realm of romantic imagination…
From Christian Martyr to Valentine's Day
In England and France, a popular belief holds that birds mate in mid-February. This idea has inspired poets and writers, who gradually came to associate February 14 with budding love and romantic feelings.
From the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer to the exchange of love notes in medieval courts, Valentine’s Day has gradually moved away from its religious origins to become a celebration of affection and romantic love.
How Valentine's Day Has Become a Popular, Secular, and Commercial Holiday
Starting in the 19th century, the holiday took on a more popular character. Valentine's Day cards became widespread in Europe and the United States, before flowers, chocolates, and gifts became essential symbols of the occasion.
The religious aspect is gradually fading, giving way to a secular celebration that has been widely popularized by commercial practices. Cards, flowers, and other gifts have become the new symbols of Valentine’s Day.
These days, Valentine's Day is as much an intimate occasion as it is a widely celebrated cultural event.
Why is Valentine's Day celebrated on February 14?
The choice of February 14 is based on a combination of traditions and historical connections. This date is said to mark the day of Saint Valentine’s supposed death, but it also marks a turning point in the year, whenwinter gradually begins to give way to milder weather.
In the collective imagination, this moment of transition naturally lends itself to the idea of renewal, anticipation, and promise—concepts that echo the feelings of love.
Valentine's Day Around the World
While February 14 is widely celebrated in many countries, traditions vary from culture to culture.
In Japan, for example, women give chocolates, while a month later, on White Day, men return the favor. In Finland and Estonia, the holiday places more emphasis onfriendship than on romantic relationships.
These variations serve as a reminder that Valentine’s Day is not a static holiday. It evolves, adapts, and reinvents itself across cultures, while retaining the same central idea: celebrating connection.
Valentine's Day and Saint-Amour: What's the Difference?
Although they are often confused, Valentine’s Day and Saint Amour’s Day are in fact two distinct celebrations. Saint Amour’s Day, celebrated on August 9, remains a lesser-known holiday and is more closely tied to the religious calendar.
Valentine's Day has clearly established itself as the holiday for lovers in the collective imagination, far surpassing its original scope to become a universal symbol of caring for one another.
Celebrate Valentine's Day with Sessile
Giving flowers has become a natural way to celebrate love every February 14. But the choice of bouquet says something about the hidden intention behind this gesture.
At Sessile, we focus on seasonal arrangements, designed by local artisan florists, where each flower finds its place without unnecessary embellishments.
Far from standardized, imported flowers, our bouquets highlight local floral artistry and respect for nature’s rhythm. A beautiful and simple way to let seasonal flowers speak freely of love.
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.
