14^th February, 2026, is Valentine’s Day! Across the world, this day celebrates love and friendship. However, few know that it originated as a Christian religious feast to honour a martyr named Saint Valentine. According to legend, saint Valentine performed weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Roman emperor Claudius II. Later, during the eighteenth century, the legend grew to add that he had restored sight to the blind daughter of his jailor and before his execution he wrote a farewell letter to her signed, ‘Your Valentine.’ Since then, sending gifts to a loved one signed, ‘from your Valentine’ has come to mean an emotive expression of love.

The Greek Concept Of Love

The ancient Greek concept of love was multifaceted, defining love not as one emotion, but through several distinct, nuanced types including – ‘Agape’: Highest form of love that’s unconditional, selfless and sacrificial for others; ‘Eros’: Passionate, romantic love, often associated with intense desire and intimacy, derived from the god of love, Aphrodite; ‘Philia’: Deep, brotherly friendship or affectionate love, based on mutual respect and shared experiences; ‘Storge’: Familial love, specifically the natural, protective, and loyal affection between parents and children; ‘Pragma’: Enduring, practical love that matures over time, often seen in long-term relationships and marriages; ‘Ludus’: Playful, uncommitted love often seen in early romance or flirting; ‘Mania’: Obsessive, passionate, and often toxic love, resulting from an imbalance between Eros and Ludus; and ‘Philautia’: Self-love, which can be narcissistic if excessive, or healthy if it promotes self-esteem.

Ancient Iranian Tradition

In Iran, the feast of Sepandarmazgan or Espandegan is celebrated on the fifth day (Spandarmad) of the last month (Spandarmad) of the Fasal or seasonal calendar. It’s dedicated to Spenta Armaiti, the divine spirit of love, devotion, and planet earth. This year, Espandegan will be observed on 18^th February, four days after Valentine’s Day.

This ancient Zoroastrian festival celebrates the role of women within the family and society, recognizing them as nurturers and life-givers, akin to the earth’s fertility. It also celebrates devotion, a quality historically and culturally associated with women and representing an intense, unwavering commitment to family, faith, or a cause. According to Al-Biruni who was a brilliant eleventh century Persian mathematician, astronomer, physicist and historian, Espandegan used to be a day dedicated to women, and men would shower them with liberal gifts in order to express appreciation and devotion.

In Zoroastrianism, love is viewed as a foundational, active, and divine force, deeply connected to good purpose and essential for worship, prayer, and strengthening human bonds. Love is not merely an emotion but a righteous act that connects the human soul to Ahura Mazda and is crucial in maintaining a balanced, joyous, and purposeful life.

In Asho Zarathushtra’s Gatha, love is an ingredient in prayer and worship as also in our making the right choices. ‘Lovingly’ is the term that Asho Zarathushtra chooses to describe how he prays. In Yasna 28.8 he sings: “Thee, do I lovingly entreat for the best.” He also affirms in Yasna 28.10 that if prayer has two essential components ‘good purpose’ and ‘love’ Ahura Mazda will respond.

According to the Arda Viraf Nameh: “A righteous man is he who treats his wife with kindness and respect, and a righteous woman is she who supports her husband in all his endeavours. Together, they form the foundation of a strong and virtuous household.”

Indian Tradition

Valentine’s Day became widely noticed in India with the arrival of cable television and youth channels like MTV about thirty years ago, yet the celebration of love has deep roots in Indian culture. Spring festivals such as Vasant Panchami and Holi honoured Kamdev, blending romance with spirituality. The South Indian ritual of Kama Dahanam recalls Lord Shiva burning Kamadeva, symbolising the transcendence of desire. Philosophical texts like the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad present love as a spiritual pull toward the Atman, where seeing oneself in all beings brings fulfilment. Vedic thought further views Kama as a creative cosmic force, extending from human affection to Bhakti, guiding individuals toward compassion, balance, clarity and a sense of universal connection for all humanity everywhere today.

Christian Tradition

Jesus Christ taught that the greatest commandments are to love God completely and to love one’s neighbour as oneself. In the Gospels, love is shown as Agape, a selfless and unconditional force that flows from the nature of God rather than shifting human emotion. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross becomes the ultimate symbol of compassion, urging believers to show mercy even to enemies. Saint Paul, writing to the Corinthians, described love as patient, kind, humble and truthful, rejecting envy, pride and selfishness. Biblical teaching culminates in the message of John 4:8, affirming that those who do not love cannot truly know God, because God is love itself eternally.

Relevance Of Love

Within the complexity of human experience, love moves quietly through every stage of life, enriching emotional and social wellbeing. Studies in positive psychology consistently show that people who experience loving bonds report greater happiness, stronger resilience and deeper life satisfaction. The influence of love also reaches physical health, where supportive relationships are linked to lower blood pressure, reduced cardiovascular risk and improved longevity.

Yet, amid daily pressures, many overlook the simple presence of love expressed through friendship, family ties or even small acts of kindness from strangers. Recognising these moments reshapes how we perceive fulfilment. Choosing compassion in our thoughts and actions creates a reinforcing cycle that benefits not only individuals but entire communities. When empathy guides behaviour, it inspires others to respond similarly, strengthening trust and cooperation. Through acts of love and kindness, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to the collective flourishing of humanity.

Happy Valentine’s Day!