The period between mid January and mid February was the month of Gamelion
Fertility Festivals in February
In the mid-twentieth century have created a relationship between Valentine and a pair of Greco-Roman events. This apparent myth has spread well in culture and are very abundant vulgar entries on websites, but reliable sources, such as Professor Jack Oruch (University of Kansas) before Chaucer replies that there was no relationship between love this day. Why is not related to the fact that the calendar of ancient Athens, the period between mid January and mid February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera
This Valentine’s Day also relates to the Lupercalia, which took place on 15 February in ancient Rome. It was an archaic rite connected to fertility, without overtones of romance, in honor Luperce faun. Plutarch wrote:
Lupercalia, of which many write that formerly held the shepherds, and that has any connection with the celebrations Lykaia (Arcadia). At that time many of the young nobles and many judges came and went naked through the city for fun and laughter, slapping passersby with stubby lashes. And by the way also crossed with them many women of rank, who as students were presented with their hands beaten them, believing they were pregnant easier childbirth, and the barren which could be fertilized.
The word Lupercalia comes from lupus, ‘wolf’, so this event could be related to the legendary she-wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus. The luperci (priests of the creed) sacrifice animals (two goats and a dog) in the Lupercal, grotto where they said had grown Romulus and Remus. Blood was splattered on the streets of Rome to bring fertility to women and to keep the wolves away from the fields. The Lupercalia was a local village festival in Rome. Between 13 and 14 February (or the day before the Lupercalia) is more general rejoicing of Iuno Februar (Purificadora Juno or Juno Casta). Pope Gelasius I (who reigned between 492 and 496) abolished Lupercalia.
Source: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%ADa_de_San_Valent%C3%ADn
See Also: International Flower Delivery, Florist
