'All you need is love'

The origins of Valentine's Day is surrounded in controversy, with as many variations as love itself.

The most accepted version is that it started in Ancient Rome, when Feb. 14 was a day to pay tribute to Juno, Queen of the Roman gods and goddesses -- who was also the goddess of women and matrimony.

Boys drew "lots" on Feb. 14, each of which bore the name of a girl, for the Feast of Lupercia on Feb. 15. The lucky girl would then accompany the boy for the rest of the year, often resulting in marriage.

Under Emperor Claudius, however, the custom was outlawed for the reason that men refused to go to war for Rome because they did not want to be parted from their lovers.

It was during this time that Valentino, a Roman priest, apparently took it upon himself to marry couples in secret, for which he was duly hanged on Feb. 14. While in prison, it is said he fell in love with the warden's blind daughter, leaving a farewell note signed, "Your Valentine".

Another version has it that Valentino was a physician who used his skills to cure the poor; he failed to restore the sight of the warden's daughter, and was condemned to death. But the note he left is rumored to have miraculously restored her vision.

Whatever the true history, Valentine's Day is celebrated on Feb. 14 in remembrance of the patron saint of lovers who was executed on this date.

As the song says, however, Love is a many splendored thing, and Valentine's Day is not the exclusive dominion of lovers, but a day to commemorate love, affection, giving and sharing. -- JP