The pagan festival of Lupercalia was an ancient Roman celebration held annually on February 15th. It was a festival dedicated to the god Lupercus, who was associated with fertility and the protection of herds and crops. The festival began with a ritual sacrifice of goats and a dog to appease the gods and ensure a bountiful harvest. The priests, known as Luperci, would then smear the foreheads of two young boys with the blood of the animals, before wiping it off with wool soaked in milk. The boys would then engage in a playful chase through the city, using strips of goat skin to lightly whip or strike women and girls who wished to be blessed with fertility. The festival was also associated with purification and cleansing, as the goat skin was believed to have the power to cleanse and ward off evil spirits.
In ancient Rome, Lupercalia was celebrated on February 15 every year. It was a wild Pagan celebration of sex, violence, and fertility. Scholars don’t agree on whether Lupercalia directly morphed into Valentine’s Day, but it’s a popular theory. Because it was celebrated on February 15, and so many modern holidays are rooted in Pagan traditions, it’s easy to see why some believe there’s a connection. While our modern Valentine’s Day celebration is all about gifts, dates, and candy, Lupercalia was a much earthier festivity. Historians know it was celebrated at least as early as the 6th century B.C., but it’s possible it’s even older than that. The word “Lupercalia” was likely derived from “lupus,” the Latin word for “wolf.” The name of the festival was probably referencing Romulus and Remus, the founders of ancient Rome who—according to legend—were raised by a female wolf. Lupercalia is also connected with Lupercus, a Roman fertility god.
The name of the festival was probably referencing Romulus and Remus, the founders of ancient Rome who according to legend were raised by a female wolf. When you think about what the ancient Romans were doing at this time thousands of years ago, you get quite an interesting new perspective on what we do now.
The festival was also associated with purification and cleansing, as the goat skin was believed to have the power to cleanse and ward off evil spirits. It was believed that being struck by the goat skin would ensure fertility and protect against infertility and barrenness. Lupercalia was a time of revelry and feasting, with people indulging in food and drink, and participating in games and entertainment.
Lupercalia: The Wild Origin Story of Valentine’s Day
Elyse Hauser is a freelance and creative writer from the Pacific Northwest, and an MFA student at the University of New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop. She specializes in lifestyle writing and creative nonfiction. Read more.
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Feb 14, 2020, 8:00 am EDT | 3 min read
Andrea Camassei/Public Domain What comes to mind when you think about the history of Valentine’s Day? St. Valentine and the lore surrounding him? To get to the heart of Valentine’s Day, you actually have to reach back even further than that. St. Valentine was famously executed on February 14 in the 3rd century A.D. However, according to ancient accounts, more than one St. Valentine was executed on that same day in the same century. Valentine’s Day started as a Christian celebration of this martyrdom and, fueled by romantic poets and writers, gradually morphed into a broader celebration of love. Surprisingly, though, that isn’t even where the story begins. If you go back even further in history, you find that the roots of Valentine’s Day might be even more shocking than the execution of saints. Ever heard of Lupercalia? If not, you’re in for an entirely new perspective on V-Day. Let’s take a look at the dark, dirty origins of the world’s sappiest holiday.
It was a celebration of life and fertility, and was seen as a way to ensure a prosperous and fruitful year. Over time, Lupercalia became more associated with the Christian holiday of Valentine's Day, as the Catholic Church sought to replace pagan festivals with Christian celebrations. The tradition of fertility rituals and the association with love and romance merged, and Valentine's Day as we know it today began to take shape. Overall, the pagan festival of Lupercalia was an ancient Roman celebration dedicated to the god Lupercus and associated with fertility, purification, and protection against evil spirits. It involved ritual sacrifice, playful whipping with goat skin, and a celebration of life and prosperity..
Reviews for "The Significance of the Lupercalia Festival: Insights into Ancient Roman Beliefs and Practices"
1. John - 2 stars - The Pagan festival of Lupercalia was not my cup of tea. I found the whole event to be chaotic and disorganized. The rituals and customs were confusing and lacked any clear explanation. It felt like a mishmash of random activities with no real purpose. The crowd was rowdy and obnoxious, making it difficult to enjoy the festivities. Overall, I was disappointed with the experience and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I attended the Pagan festival of Lupercalia last year and it was a complete disaster. The event was poorly planned, with long lines and overcrowded areas. The lack of proper organization made it nearly impossible to enjoy any of the activities. Furthermore, the food vendors ran out of supplies early on, leaving many attendees hungry and frustrated. The overall atmosphere was chaotic and overwhelming. I regretted attending and would not consider going again in the future.
3. Mark - 2 stars - The Pagan festival of Lupercalia was not what I expected. The event seemed more focused on commercialism than the actual historical significance of the festival. The stands selling trinkets and souvenirs overshadowed any cultural or educational aspects. The lack of proper signage and information made it difficult to understand the purpose behind the various rituals and traditions. Overall, I felt let down by the festival and would not recommend it to those seeking a meaningful experience.