THE HISTORY OF VALENTINE’S DAY
Symbol of Val’s Day
Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the third century, is the inspiration behind Valentine’s Day. St. Valentine is the subject of numerous legends that developed over time to become what we now know as fact.
Many Romans were turning to Christianity during Valentine’s lifetime, but the pagan Emperor Claudius II imposed stringent regulations on what Christians could and could not do. Claudius forbade Roman soldiers from getting married because he thought they should be wholly loyal to Rome. This marked the beginning of St. Valentine’s reputation as a person who valued love by having him wed these soldiers in covert Christian rituals.
Valentine was ultimately apprehended and imprisoned for his crimes against Claudius. Valentine provided care for his fellow inmates as well as the blind daughter of his jailer while he was incarcerated. According to legend, Valentine healed the girl of her blindness and his last act before being put to death was to send her a love letter inscribed “from your Valentine.” Valentine was put to death on February 14th, 270.
What’s the history of Valentine’s Day?
St Valentine
St. Valentine’s Day wasn’t declared on February 14 until more than 200 years later. Rome had already converted to Christianity at this point, and the Catholic Church was adamant about eradicating any remaining pagan practices. Every year, a pagan fertility ritual took place in February.
The Pope banned this celebration and declared February 14 to be Saint Valentine’s Day, adding this feast day to the Catholic Calendar of Saints.
The first person to associate St. Valentine with passionate love was the medieval poet Chaucer. This was the start of the custom of courtly love, an often-secret ritual of expressing love and appreciation. The legend of a High Court of Love, where female judges would render judgments on matters of love on February 14 each year, evolved as this habit spread throughout Europe. According to historians, these events were actually get-togethers when individuals read love poems and played flirtatious games.
Symbols of Valentine’s Day
People started sending personalized cards as an extension of the practice of sending love messages. These lovely handmade cards were prepared by the giver specifically for the recipient to express their affection. Typically, cards would include poetic verse that extolled the recipient’s beauty and how much they were loved.
Valentine’s Day cards included cupid, hearts, and flower illustrations, and they were adorned with lace and ribbon. These symbols of love are still in use today and are well known all across the world.
What does Valentine’s Day mean today?
Although Valentine’s Day is observed in the majority of nations, several civilizations have created their own customs for this holiday. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in various regions of the world as a day for showing love to family and friends rather than romantic partners. Other customs involve friends showing each other appreciation with small presents and candies for the kids.
Millions of Valentine’s Day cards are sent out every year, making romantic love the most popular Valentine’s Day association. Couples spend special time together, and gifts of flowers or a lone red rose are sent to loved ones along with loving words.
Many couples decide to have dinner, a picnic, or a special home-cooked meal on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day dinner specials are widely available at restaurants, and cuisine is frequently plated with romantic symbols like hearts and flowers.
Another common Valentine’s Day activity is to treat a couple to a luxurious hotel stay in a scenic locale, which enables them to unplug and spend some quality time alone. Valentine’s Day is a common day for marriage proposals, and people frequently select it as the ideal occasion to declare their love and devotion. Some marriage proposals are made in quite inventive ways, such as by displaying a message on a billboard or after reaching the summit of a mountain. Whatever the manner, Valentine’s Day marriage proposals are typically sweet and thoughtful.
With a romantic flower arrangement from Roses Only for Valentine’s Day, spoil your significant other at work or home.