The Heart Pierced by Cupid’s Arrow is a handmade print, designed by Leopoldo Giolesco D’Orodiso for Love Therapy on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.
This is the first collaboration between Holy Kaw and Love Therapy, the brand created by Elio Fiorucci.
Remember Fiorucci’s famous little angels, the design on the T-shirts that took the world by storm? Now it’s time for this little shining heart, it’s a perfect Valentine’s gift and you can buy it on Love Therapy website.
Why are lovers exchanging gifts on Valentine’s Day?
Lovers exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day as a symbolic way to express love, affection, and commitment, turning emotions into tangible gestures.
Gifts reinforce bonds by fostering gratitude and intimacy; a thoughtful item like The Heart Pierced by Cupid’s Arrow Print can trigger dopamine for joy in both giver and receiver. Psychologically, Valentine’s gifts affirm appreciation and security in relationships, making the ritual enduring across romantic, friendly, or familial ties
The tradition traces back to medieval Europe, where courtly love involved exchanging handwritten notes, poems, or small tokens like flowers to convey devotion. Over the centuries, it evolved from religious ties to Saint Valentine to broader romantic customs in 18th-century England, characterized by sweets and flowers.
Who was Saint Valentine?
Saint Valentine was a 3rd-century Roman priest (or possibly bishop of Terni) martyred for his Christian faith around 269 AD under Emperor Claudius II.
He defied imperial bans by secretly marrying Christian couples, believing divine unions superseded Roman edicts against marriage for soldiers. Legends credit him with healing miracles, like restoring sight to a judge’s blind daughter and curing ailments, leading converts before his beating, imprisonment, and beheading on February 14 along the Via Flaminia.
It seems that reports blend two figures—a Roman priest and Terni bishop—into one, with late writings adding legendary elements, though a core martyrdom story persists. His feast day evolved from honoring sacrificial love into romantic celebrations by the Middle Ages.
The historical roots are not terribly clear and legends mix up with reports.
Why is February 14 dedicated to Saint Valentine and to lovers?
February 14 is dedicated to Saint Valentine because it marks the traditional date of his martyrdom in the 3rd century, when he was executed by beheading along Rome’s Via Flaminia for defying Emperor Claudius II by performing Christian marriages and refusing to renounce his faith.
The Catholic Church set his feast day on February 14 around 496 AD under Pope Gelasius I, honoring his sacrificial love and miracles, like healing a blind girl—acts blending faith and compassion that later symbolized devotion. Early martyrologies fixed this date despite debates over whether one or two Valentines (a Roman priest and Terni bishop) share the story.
By the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer’s poetry tied the date to romantic bird-mating season, merging Christian martyrdom with emerging courtly love traditions of exchanging tokens. This evolved into modern Valentine’s Day romance, overshadowing the saint’s grim end with celebrations of affection.
A lovely Valentine’s gift for your special one.
The Heart Pierced by Cupid’s Arrow is a linoprint, hand carved and hand pulled on an ink background plus interventions with pencils, crayons and gold leaf made with a combination of metal that mimic the brilliance of gold. Yes, it shines!
Every print is unique because it’s made entirely by hand. It’s listed in our catalogue and you can buy this delightful Valentine’s gift on Love Therapy website. But wait… why only one? Buy one for you and one for your special one!