What was sacrificed at the Lupercalia?

At the Lupercal cave, a dog and one or more male goats, to represent sexuality were sacrificed by the Luperci, a group of priests. Two of them, at this point naked, would be smeared by the blood from the sacrificial knife. As the Luperci priests laughed, the blood was removed with wool soaked in milk.

What does Lupercalia have to do with Valentine’s Day?

The two men named Valentine were priests, and married young couples in secret. Both were found out and executed on February 14th, although in separate years. The Church made Valentine a saint (they chose one), and Lupercalia became St. Valentine’s Day.

Do pagans still celebrate Lupercalia?

Lupercalia was popular and one of the few pagan holidays still celebrated 150 years after Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire. (Learn about Valentine’s Day with your kids.) When Pope Gelasius came to power in the late fifth century he put an end to Lupercalia.

What religions celebrate Lupercalia?

As a fertility rite, the festival is also associated with the god Faunus. The Lupercalia may be the longest-lasting of the Roman pagan festivals. Some modern Christian festivals, like Christmas and Easter, took on elements of earlier pagan religions, but they are not essentially Roman, pagan holidays.

What happened during the Feast of Lupercalia?

The festival began at Lupercal cave with the sacrifice of one or more male goats—a representation of sexuality—and a dog. The sacrifices were performed by Luperci, a group of Roman priests. Afterwards, the foreheads of two naked Luperci were smeared with the animals’ blood using the bloody, sacrificial knife.

Why do people celebrate Lupercalia?

Lupercalia was a pastoral festival of Ancient Rome observed annually on February 15 to purify the city, promoting health and fertility.

What did the Feast of Lupercalia celebrate?

Given their similarities, it has been suggested that the holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery.

What was Lupercus the god of?

an ancient Italian divinity, who was worshipped by shepherds as the protector of their flocks against wolves, and at the same time as the promoter of the fertility among sheep, whence he was called Inuus or Ἐφιάλτης.

What is the meaning Lupercalia?

Definition of Lupercalia : an ancient Roman festival celebrated February 15 to ensure fertility for the people, fields, and flocks.

What is the Roman festival of Lupercalia?

…in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I forbid the celebration of Lupercaliaand is sometimes attributed with…

How did the Luperci celebrate the Feast of Lupercal?

When the feast of Lupercal was over, the Luperci cut strips, also called thongs or februa, of goat hide from the newly-sacrificed goats. They then ran naked or nearly-naked around Palantine whipping any woman within striking distance with the thongs.

When did Pope Gelasius I forbid the celebration of Lupercalia?

At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I forbid the celebration of Lupercaliaand is sometimes attributed with…