Origins of this special day

Let’s go back to the beginning of this special day. Much is speculated about its origins, as it can be traced back many years, and facts can be missed out or added here and there. Nevertheless, some of the story’s aspects are more or less consistent, true or not. They involve a martyred saint, a pagan fertility festival, and a poet.

Saint Valentine – a Martyred Priest

This saint’s exact identity has been shrouded in musings and rumors. There were two men named Valentine, one a priest and one a bishop. Spoiler alert: a common (but gruesome) factor was that they were both beheaded on February 14. Granted, probably years apart. The popularized account was that of the former, Saint Valentine, the priest.

He lived in Rome during Emperor Claudius II’s rule, which was around the 3rd century AD, or 270 AD. Claudius supposedly believed that single men without wives and children made better soldiers, and decided to ban young men from getting married. In response to this, Valentine defied the order and secretly continued performing marriages for young couples in love. We already know the ending to this story, but he was unfortunately discovered. Valentine was imprisoned and executed on February 14th. One legend says that while in prison, Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and sent her a note signed “From your Valentine” – a phrase we still use today to accompany a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Centuries later, in 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I officially declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day, honoring Valentine’s martyrdom. Hence, this special day was named.

Lupercalia – a Pagan Festival of Fertility

However, even earlier in around the 6th century BCE, Lupercalia was celebrated. This pagan festival was held on February 13-15 in Ancient Rome to promote fertility, health, and purification of the city.

The name Lupercalia came from the Lupercal, a cave at the base of Rome’s Palatine Hill, where Romans believed Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of Rome, were suckled by a she-wolf (lupa). It was held in the name of Lupercus, or Faunus, the god of fertility, shepherds, and nature. The festival involved anointing rituals and animal sacrifices, symbolising purification, fertility, and the protection of livestock and crops, which were all essential to Roman life at the time.

Women who wished for fertility, marriage, or love often adorned themselves with floral accessories during Roman festivals around this period. In some versions, associating Lupercalia with romantic pairings, men drew women’s names from a jar to be paired off for the duration of the festival, and sometimes longer, resulting in lasting relationships.

In essence, Lupercalia celebrated life, love, and renewal – the same sentiments we continue to celebrate centuries later, only now with roses instead of rituals.

From Pagan Ritual to Christian Romance

By the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I sought to replace Lupercalia’s pagan customs with a Christian celebration. He banned the festival and replaced it with St. Valentine’s Day on February 14, honoring a martyr instead of the gods.

Yet, the themes of fertility, affection, and renewal carried through, blending ancient symbolism with Christian devotion. Over time, the holiday transformed from one of ritual into one of romance.

Geoffrey Chaucer – The Poet

During the Middle Ages, Valentine’s Day acquired new significance thanks to poets like Geoffrey Chaucer. In his 1382 poem “Parliament of Fowls,” Chaucer wrote about birds choosing their mates on “Seynt Valentynes day.” This poetic idea linked February 14th with love, courtship, and companionship, marking the beginning of the Valentine’s Day we know today.

Flowers – The Language of Love

By the 18th century, Valentine’s Day was widely celebrated across Europe with the exchange of handwritten notes and tokens of affection. In the 19th century, printed Valentine’s cards became popular thanks to improved printing technology. The tradition spread to the U.S., and by the early 1900s, it had become a major occasion for exchanging cards, flowers, chocolates, and romantic gifts.

Roses, especially red ones, became the flower of choice, symbolizing love and passion (a nod to the goddess Venus/Aphrodite). As Valentine’s Day evolved through the centuries, flowers naturally became its most expressive symbol. Each bloom could be said to carry its own secret message:

• Red Roses: Passion and true love

• Pink Carnations: Admiration and gratitude

• Lavender Roses: Enchantment and elegance

• White Baby's Breath: Everlasting affection

Flowers speak when words fall short. As such, a bouquet remains one of the most heartfelt ways to say “I love you.”

Modern Love: From Fresh Bouquets to Longer-Lasting Blooms

Today, Valentine’s Day continues to evolve, and so do the ways we express affection.

While fresh flower bouquets are still timeless symbols of love, many now choose preserved flower arrangements, which are real flowers treated through a natural preservation process that keeps them soft, vibrant, and long-lasting.

In humid climates like Singapore, preserved flowers offer a sustainable, elegant alternative to traditional fresh bouquets. They represent a love that endures, just like the story of Valentine himself.

Conclusion: A Celebration That Never Wilts

From Saint Valentine’s secret protection of love to the modern-day exchange of flower bouquets, one message has remained constant: Love deserves to be cherished, remembered, and preserved.

So whether you surprise someone with a fresh flower bouquet bursting with life or a preserved flower arrangement that stands the test of time, every bloom tells the same story! Love, kept alive, just like the legend that started it all.

Here at The Enchanted Tree, you can explore various bouquets to express and celebrate your love. From vibrant daily fresh bouquets to longer-lasting preserved arrangements, each creation is designed to express your heart, beautifully and meaningfully.