To My Valentine, American Valentine card, 1907

To My Valentine, American Valentine card, 1907. Cupid holds a heart pierced by an arrow. The flowers are Forget-me-nots (Myosotis palustris). In Roman mythology Cupid was the son of Venus, goddess of love (Eros and Aphrodite in the Greek Pantheon). The identity of St Valentine is uncertain, the most popular candidates are Valentine, bishop of Terni (3rd century) or a Roman Christian convert martyred c270). St Valentine's Day, celebrated on 14 February, probably replaces the Roman pagan festival of Lupercalia

Aphrodite Candidates Celebrated Convert Cupid Eros Forget-me-nots Identity Lupercalia Martyred Myosotis Pagan Palustris Pantheon Pierced Replaces Terni Uncertain

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