Where would a name like Valentine come from? It isn't really a name anymore - it is a "thing" - a card or gift on the specific day of Valentine's. However, it is also a sweetheart that is chosen on Valentine's Day.
Vanlentine originates as a name - a unisex given name. It is derived from the Roman family name Valentinus - from valens, meaning strong and healthy. It turns out to be the name of a few Saints who were martyred and are commemorated along with Saint Valentine from the third century. Supposedly he died on February 14th. I say that wondering how 3rd century documents on dates can match up with our current calendar.
And how does a cupid come into the scene for Valentine's Day? Cupid comes from Roman mythology, son of Venus who was the goddess of love and beauty. Would Venus still be with us today given she's a goddess - and I should write "is the goddess of love and beauty." His representation as a little boy can be traced.
The Italian painter Raphael who was known for creating characters called "putti" - they looked like male babies or toddlers. They represented the presence of pure love around people - often with wings like angels. Cupid started out as being portrayed as a young man - but he got "converted" to being a baby or young child, and often with angelic wings.
Cupid is a little angel-like boy - but that isn't a "cherub". Cherubs were known as cherubim. That was a heavenly "rank" and have the role to protect God's heavenly glory. This religious designation got swept up into being associated with Cupid and similar depictions.
The through line from St. Valentine the martyr to celebrating Romantic love is still to be outlined - I think we might accord that to Chaucer.
In the meantime, let's enjoy a few more Ringling Circus images.
In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, the goddess of love. In greek mythology, he was known as Eros and was the son of Aphrodite. And so on.
I am interested in another development out of Valentine's Day: Sweetheart Candies. These are small heart-shaped sugar candies sold at Valentine's Day. Each one has a message - for example "Be Mine".
A U.S. company started the candies in 1847 with a machine to cut lozenges from wafer candy. The original candy was often used for weddings. The says were more extensive: "Married in pink, he will take a drink", "Married in White, you have chosen right", and "Married in Satin, Love will not be lasting".
Many shapes were tried - horseshoes, postcards, watches, baseballs, and then sweethearts came about in 1901. Things have evolved over the years and a different candy recipe is used to achieve the same effect today.
Here is a sampling of the messages:
All Yours
Be Mine
Call Me
Cheeky Boy
Date Me
Dream On
Email Me
Great Guy
Hot Lips
Kiss Me
My Boy
New Love
Text Me
U Rock
You're Mine
The British company that produces Sweethearts had a competition in 2008 for new messages. They are:
"Think Pink", "Joyful Jo", "Granny P", "Me Julie Best Mum", "Juicy Jessie", "I Luv Alan", "Happy Harry", "Heart Baby", "Kin of U Home" and "Mermaid Eloise".
We can check things out at the official British candy website where the emoji message love hearts are displayed: Swizzles.com. Scrolling down one sees the history of British events and Royal Family members.
