Valentine's Day (Encore)

Chaucer's Influence

Geoffrey Chaucer's poetry played a pivotal role in associating Valentine's Day with romance. His poem, "Parliament of Fowls," written in 1382, is the earliest known work to link the feast of St. Valentine with romantic love, suggesting that birds choose their mates on this day 1. This connection, although not definitively tied to February 14, laid the groundwork for the day's romantic connotations. Chaucer's influence was significant, as Gary Arndt notes:

While Chaucer's work referencing Valentine's Day and love was the first such mention, there were others soon after indicating that the tradition was already widespread or grew rapidly.

--- Gary Arndt

The tradition of love associated with Valentine's Day grew rapidly, with King Charles VI of France establishing the "Court of Love" festival in 1400, further cementing the day's romantic significance 2.

   

Tradition's Growth

The evolution of Valentine's Day traditions reflects a blend of literary and cultural developments. By the 19th century, the practice of sending Valentine's cards had become widespread, with the British postal system facilitating a surge in card exchanges 3. This period also saw the introduction of mass-produced valentines in the United States by Esther Howland, marking the beginning of the modern greeting card industry. Gary Arndt highlights the commercial aspect:

With the lower postal rates, there was also an explosion in pre-made Valentine's Day cards being printed.

--- Gary Arndt

Additionally, the tradition of gifting roses and chocolates became popular, with companies like Cadbury creating heart-shaped chocolate boxes, further embedding Valentine's Day in consumer culture 4.