This year Valentine’s Day will be on Friday February 14th, now that is pretty epic. During this day people assault each other with gifts of chocolate and other candies in order to express their love for one another. Most people probably know that Valentine’s day is a holiday dedicated to a saint. Saint Valentine has reached legend status over the years, nobody knows the true story of how Valentine’s day started however there are plenty of stories about it.  

Most of the stories of Saint Valentine’s day have their origins during the Roman Empire. Some believe that Valentine’s day was originally derived from the Roman festival called Lupercalia. During this holiday men and women would get together via the use of lottery like tickets and by the 14th century Pope Gelasius I decided to dedicate the festival to A martyred Christian known as Saint Valentine. February 14th is the day Valentine died but before he died, he had performed so many deeds during his lifetime across a large space of land to the point where many believe he was multiple people.

Not every Valentine’s day origin story involves the direct actions of a saint, however. During the 14th century in England it was believed that the 14th of February was the designated mating day for birds in England. This may be why Valentine’s day has its theme of love. 

“For this was on Seynt Valentyne’s day. When every foul cometh ther to choose his mate,” Parliament of Fowles, a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer. 

The idea of giving people chocolate to celebrate their love for each other on Valentine’s Day didn’t begin until the latter half of the 19th century. Major Chocolate Manufacturer Richard Cadbury began to create a substance known as eating chocolate (before this time chocolate was served as a liquid exclusively), and to boost sales they were sold in beautifully decorated boxes with cupids and hearts. 

“While Richard Cadbury didn’t actually patent the heart-shaped box, it’s widely believed that he was the first to produce one,” historian, Stephanie Butler, said. 

As it turns out Valentine was not a chocolate giving saint, in fact candy originally had no part in Valentine’s day.