Valentine cards became popular in the 1800’s when commercial cards were first produced. Early cards were very expensive and decorated with satin and lace.
Cupid is commonly seen on Valentine cards. This is a winged Roman version of the Greek god of love.
St. Valentine was beheaded in 270 A.D. for performing marriage ceremonies for soldiers. The Emperor had decreed that no soldier should marry because he thought unmarried men made better fighters.
The Church found a substitute in St. Valentine for a pagan ritual. This ritual involved placing names of girls in an urn and young men would pick one out. This girl was then assigned to the man for the following year.
