Saint Valentine's Day origin

There area several legends associated with the origins of Saint Valentine's Day, but it is believed that before the church associated this festivity to a saint, theree were ancient pagan traditions associated with the festival of Lupercalia, held from the 13 to the  15th February. This festival was to honour Lupercus and fertility. During the celebrations women's names were dran by men, the couples would then remain together.

Lupercus was the «Roman god of agriculture and shepherds, also an epithet of Fauns. The Luperci sacrificed two goats and a dog on the festival of the Lupercalia, celebrated on February 15. This took place in the Lupercal, a cave where, according to tradition, the twins Romulus and Remus were reared by a wolf. This cave is located at the base of the Palatin Hill. Goats were used since Lupercus was a god of shepherds, and the dog as protector of the flock.»

by Micha F. Lindemans