What is Valentine’s Day?
Every year, on February 14th, lovers around the world express their affection for each other whether it’s through giving cards, gifts, or flowers to each other. But how did this admired holiday start?
What is the history behind the holiday?
Although many people know the popular holiday called Valentine’s Day, most people don’t know the strange and complicated origin behind it. Valentine's Day was established for a man named Saint Valentine, who was a priest for a Catholic church in Rome in the third century. On February 14th 269, Saint Valentine was arrested and brought upon the Perfect of Rome, who commended him to be martyred. This is how the date February 14th became for the holiday.
So, what does this have to do with love, you might ask? During the rule of Emperor Claudius II, marriages were banned in Rome because of the unwillingness of men to enlist in the army, due to their attachment to their wives and family. Saint Valentine was said to continue marriages in secret, disobeying Claudius’s order. This is one of the main reasons for his execution. According to legend, while in jail, Valentine left a note for his friend, the jailer's daughter, signed “From Your Valentine ''. This is a possible reason for card and gift exchanges on this holiday. Valentine’s name soon became associated with romance and love, leading to the holiday we know today as Valentine’s Day.
What are the symbols of Valentine’s Day?
The colors of Valentine’s Day are commonly red, pink, and white. You can often see these colors on cards covered with hearts, another popular Valentine’s Day symbol representing love. A popular symbol is the cupid, often portrayed as a baby-like winged creature with a bow and arrow. Cupid is the son of Venus and the god of Love. In Greek mythology, he is well known for shooting his arrow into peoples’ hearts, and those who are struck by his arrow become lovers.
How is Valentine's Day celebrated?
In the United States, people often exchange boxes of chocolates, gifts, letters, and flowers or go out to a romantic dinner.
On Valentine's Day in Japan, a girl gives chocolates to the boy she likes, and can also give them out to people that she considers as friends. A similar holiday on March 14th, called White Day is where the boys give chocolates to the girls in return.
South Korea celebrates Valentine’s Day and White Day while also having another holiday called Black Day. This day is on April 14th when single people celebrate by gathering with their friends and eating Jajangmyeon, noodles with a black sauce.
In the UK, people send anonymous cards to their love interests. This tradition comes from the Victorian era, when Victorians considered signing their name on a card bad luck.
There are many other celebrations around the world! How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Now that you know some more about the holiday you can enjoy it and celebrate with your loved ones! Happy Valentine's Day!
Sources Cited:
Valentine's Day in the United States, https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/valentine-day#:~:text=Valentine's%20Day%20is%20celebrated%20on,hearts%2C%20red%20roses%20and%20Cupid.
St. Valentine Beheaded - History. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded.
Walks of Italy. “The Strange but True Story behind Valentine's Day.” Walks of Italy, 18 Jan. 2023, https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/art-culture/the-strange-but-true-story-behind-valentines-day#:~:text=Turns%20out%2C%20it%20was%20a,date%20for%20his%20eponymous%20day.
Worldstrides.com, https://worldstrides.com/blog/2017/02/6-valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/#:~:text=Regardless%20of%20its%20origins%2C%20Valentine's,Valentine.
The National Gallery, London. “Glossary.” Cupid | Glossary | National Gallery, London, https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/glossary/cupid#:~:text=Cupid%20is%20the%20son%20of,by%20his%20arrows%20become%20lovers.
“Valentine's Day.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day.
“For Every Journey.” Valentine's Day in Japan, https://top.his-usa.com/destination-japan/blog/valentines_day_in_japan.html#:~:text=In%20Japan%2C%20the%20traditional%20way,chocolate%20that%20the%20women%20give.