![[image of Saint Valentine]](saintv06.jpg "14kb jpg stained glass window of Saint Valentine, artist unknown; please do now write to ask about the image")
There are several theories about the origin of Valentine's Day celebrations. Some believe the Romans had a mid-February custom where boys drew girls' names in honor of the sex and fertility goddess, Februata Juno; pastors "baptised" this holiday, like some others, by substituting the names of saints such as Valentine to suppress the practice. Others maintain that the custom of sending Valentines on 14 February stems from the belief that birds begin to pair on that date. By 1477 the English associated lovers with the feast of Valentine because on that day "every bird chooses him a mate." The custom started of men and women writing love letters to their Valentine on this day. Other "romance" traditions have become attached to this feast, including pinning bay leaves to your pillow on Valentine's Eve so that you will see your future mate that night in your dreams.
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Golden Legend, by Jacobus de Voragine Bella Umbria Brief History of Valentine's Day at Intelligent Marketing Catholic Encyclopedia Lone Keep Internet Saint Valentine remembered at BBC News Travel Italy, about his final resting place Travel Italy, brief biography