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Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th every year, is known worldwide as a day of love and romance. While many associate this day with exchanging cards, chocolates, and flowers, its history and the various traditions surrounding it are rich and diverse. Here are ten lesser-known facts about Valentine's Day that might surprise you.
The Origins of Valentine's Day Are Ancient and Mysterious
The history of Valentine's Day is shrouded in mystery. It's believed to have its roots in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February. This festival, which welcomed spring, included fertility rites and the pairing of women with men by lottery. However, at the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day. It then began to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century.
There Were Multiple St. Valentines
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. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
The First Valentine's Day Card May Have Originated in Prison
The oldest known valentine still in existence today is a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. This valentine is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London.
Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve Was a Literal Expression
In the Middle Ages, young men and women would draw names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. This is where the expression "to wear your heart on your sleeve" originates, indicating that it is easy for others to see how you are feeling.
The First Commercial Valentines in the U.S. Were Produced in the 19th Century
In 1849, Esther A. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Her elaborate creations were made with lace and ribbons and featured colorful pictures known as “scrap.”
Valentine’s Day Is Big Business
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spend a significant amount on Valentine's Day. In recent years, total spending for the holiday has exceeded $20 billion, with an average individual spending over $100.
Different Countries Celebrate Valentine’s Day Differently
In Denmark and Norway, people send out “joke letters” called gaekkebrev and the sender signs the letter with dots. If the receiver guesses who sent it, they get an Easter Egg later that year. In the Philippines, Valentine's Day is a popular day to get married with mass weddings often taking place.
The Symbolism of Roses
The traditional gift of roses on Valentine's Day has its own history. The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red roses symbolize love and romance, pink roses suggest admiration and gratitude, white roses stand for marriage and spirituality, and yellow roses represent friendship and joy.
Valentine's Day Is Not Just for Romantic Love
In Finland, Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä, which translates to "Friend's Day." It's more about remembering all your friends, not just romantic relationships. Similarly, in Guatemala, it is known as Día del Cariño, a day for showing love and affection to friends and family.
The First Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates Was Introduced in 1861
Richard Cadbury, of the Cadbury chocolate company, is credited with selling the first box of chocolate candies in a heart-shaped box in 1861. This marketing genius tapped into the heart as a symbol of love and created an enduring Valentine's Day tradition.
Conclusion
Valentine's Day, a day steeped in history and tradition, is much more than just a day for lovers. It's a day to celebrate love in its many forms, whether it be romantic, platonic, or familial. These ten facts shed light on the lesser-known aspects of this beloved holiday and remind us that love, in all its forms, is a universal language.
