Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The History of Valentines Day
Happy Valentines Day
Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
Valentines Day Gifts
Make Valentines Day perfect with a romantic gift experience for him, for her or for the two of you to share. You’ll find plenty of ideas for Valentines Day that will put everyone in the mood for love.
Chocolate Gift for Valentine's Day
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Flowers Gift for Valentine's Day
Want to express your best wishes? Then send flowers from ProFlowers—because sending flowers is what we do best! Send flowers or plants like these, and say exactly what you want to.
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Cards Gift for Valentine's Day
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Valentines day poems
The story of the very first Valentines stems from a poem. Saint Valentine served as a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Saint Valentine defied a marriage law in acted by Claudius, so the emperor had Saint Valentine jailed. Legend has it that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it, “From your Valentine” before his execution. Since then the tradition of love notes and love poems have enchanted us on the Valentines season. Later, emerged Valentine cards in the 1800’s with various sentimental love poems to be shared by loved ones on Valentines Day to this very day.
Valentines day Songs
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