6 Odd Valentine Traditions from History

Today, Valentine’s Day is full of candy, love letters, and spending time with your significant other. However, in the past, many of the traditions were quite different from our own. These odd Valentine traditions would range from cruel letters, love lotteries, and even sacrifices. Keep reading to learn more about this holiday’s history.

6. Drawing Names for Love

Starting our list of odd Valentine traditions is drawing names for love. During the Roman festival of Lupercalia, young men would draw women’s names from an urn. They would then pair off for the rest of the festival, and in special occasions, this pairing would lead to marriage.

5. Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

Fifth on our list of odd Valentine traditions is wearing your heart on your sleeve. While it is often used as a phrase today, in South Africa and the Middle Ages, you truly did pin something to your sleeve. In the Middle Ages, young men and women would draw names to select a partner for the upcoming year and pin the name to their sleeve as a sign of romantic attachment. In South Africa, women would pin the names of their love interests on their sleeves to show their affection.

4. Vinger Valentines

Next on our list of odd Valentine traditions is vinegar Valentines. While you may be thinking of a glass of vinegar, like the one above, that’s not actually what “vinegar” means in this situation. In the Victorian Era, instead of romance, people were sending the opposite message. “Vinegar Valentines” were mean-spirited, insulting cards that were aiming to reject suitors or mocking people. They would often insult flaws, professions, or marital status.

3. “Valentining”

Rounding out the top three odd Valentine traditions is “Valentining.” Similar to trick-or-treating for Halloween, children would go door-to-door singing or asking for treats on the holiday. Many times, this would lead to rowdy or violent behavior, and was mostly done in 18th-century England.

2. Matchmaking Lotteries

Second on our list of odd Valentine traditions is matchmaking lotteries. Similar to pinning the name on the sleeve, men and women would draw names from a container to pair together for companionship, courtship, or festivals. This was quite common in the 17th and 18th centuries across Europe, and would pair people for the entire holiday, and possibly even influenced future marriages.

1. Lupercalia’s Bloody Rites

Last but not least on our list of odd Valentine traditions is Lupercalia’s bloody rites. Popular in Ancient Roman times, before Valentine’s Day, priests would run through the streets, striking women with goat hide strips. This was supposed to promote fertility and good luck, especially for women who wished to conceive. Dogs were also sometimes sacrificed during the festival.