A second theory has it that Valentine’s Day can trace its roots to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated annually on February 15 in honour of Lupercus, the Roman god of fertility. Animal sacrifices, whippings (for both, men and women) and overall rowdy behaviour were its highlights.

One custom required boys to each pick a girl’s name from a vase. She would then become the partner of that particular boy for the entire duration of the festival. Often, this pairing outlasted the festival and continued an entire year. Many such pairs eventually fell in love and later got married.

In 496 A.D., when Christianity had become the official religion of Rome, Pope Gelasius I changed this essentially pagan Roman festival to a Christian feast day, announcing that henceforth February 14 would be celebrated as St. Valentine’s Day.

However, since there were no less than three Saint Valentines in early Christian history, all of whom were martyred on 14 February (amazing coincidence!), the identity of this particular Saint Valentine continues to remain shrouded in mystery.

Nevertheless, most scholars agree that the Saint Valentine of the Valentine’s Day that we are talking about is the one who attracted the wrath of Claudius II. A tragic tale which has now become the love anthem of generations of love-struck men and women!