Before February 14 became a celebration of red balloons and sweet chocolates, in Poland it was a day of prayer for health and… February fortune-telling. Oskar Kolberg noted that after the church service, “the people (…) pass the time in merriment and fortune-telling.” Saint Valentine was venerated as the patron of those suffering from what were once called “nervous illnesses” and epilepsy. Here is what February 14 looked like in tradition – and where today’s romantic customs came from.
What Did February 14 Mean in Old Poland?
In folk tradition, February 14 was above all the feast day of a saint and an occasion for prayer. Saint Valentine was revered as the protector of people suffering from illnesses once described as “nervous” as well as epilepsy. Pilgrimages were made to places associated with his cult to ask for health and protection.
At the center of the day was the church service. Only afterward did communal elements appear: gatherings, conversations and – as ethnographers recorded – fortune-telling.
Kolberg wrote:
“On the feast day of their patron, the people go to church, and afterward pass the time in merriment and fortune-telling, eager to know what awaits them in the future.”
This description referred to many patronal feast days, including February 14.
Who Took Part in the February Fortune-Telling?
Over time, Saint Valentine’s Day gradually acquired a matrimonial character. In some regions, young women would write the names of eligible bachelors on slips of paper and draw one to reveal their “future husband.” The custom resembled the St. Andrew’s Eve practices, though it took place in February.
People also believed in the signs of the day. The first man encountered on February 14 could – according to folk beliefs – foretell the future. A cheerful and polite man predicted a happy marriage, while a gloomy one served as a warning.
Kolberg emphasized the importance of signs in folk culture:
“Everywhere the people look for signs and from them derive the future, believing that nothing happens without a cause.”
How Can You Return to Tradition?
Although modern Valentine’s Day is largely commercial in character, nothing prevents one from reaching back to old customs in a symbolic way.
Three inspirations from tradition:
Start the day with a moment of silence or prayer for health – this was the original meaning of the feast.
Prepare a light-hearted “fortune-telling” at home – for example, drawing slips of paper with good wishes.
Spend time together in community – conversation and meeting were just as important as the ritual itself.
This is not a historical reconstruction, but rather a way to see February 14 differently than only through the lens of romantic gifts.
What Changed in the 20th Century?
The distinctly romantic character of February 14 spread widely in Poland only in the 20th century, along with the influence of Western culture and the growth of commerce. Hearts, greeting cards and gifts gradually replaced local religious and fortune-telling practices.
The old Valentine’s Day was less spectacular, but deeply rooted in religiosity and folk imagination. It combined the sacred order with the need to tame the future – especially the future connected with marriage.
In an era of commercial symbols, it is worth remembering that February 14 in Polish tradition was a day of prayer, signs and community. Instead of plastic – ritual. Instead of balloons – the belief that on a patron’s feast day, one could glimpse the future.