Valentines Day History

The origin of the Valentines Day is shrouded in mystery and there are varying opinions about it. Its origin has become theme of many legends. St. Valentines Day as we celebrate today has remnants of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. According to some legends Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying his decree, which outlawed marriage for young men.

There is an interesting story portraying the love affair between St. Valentine and a jailor's daughter. St. Valentine left a farewell note for her, the note read- “from your Valentine”. Valentine's Day is said to have started in the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans regarded her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the festival of Lupercalia, in honor of Lupercus, the hunter of wolves. Legends aside, the popularity of the Valentines Day rose manifold among the people and in tune with it Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine, the patron saint of love and romance.

Valentines Day In America

Over the years a unique tradition of giving Valentines Day cards has evolved in America. These range from being rude and cruel to humorous. But, there were many cards that were complex and required a lot of thought and creativity. Many of these cards had themes like the civil war that which were decorated with rich color, patriotic and political symbols. Then there were ones that showed lovers, their heroes and generals, skits and some also being funny.

There were cards which were not in the best of tastes that some people sent to their former loves or dear ones. Some of these cards were sent to cause embarrassment or discomfort at targeted people. At the same time there were many Valentines that were carefully lithographed and hand-colored, with intricate and beautiful designs and these had a different flavor of their own. There were many cards that were made with complex lace paper, and had decorations and ornamentations such as beads, sea shells, cones, berries, and all various kinds of seeds.

Valentines Day Traditions In Britain

Of the various customs popular in England, penning of verses of love affairs and matters of heart is the most fascinating way to honor the Saint patron of love, the immortal St. Valentine. In various parts of the United Kingdom, celebrations take place according to the customs and traditions and as the day approaches, all magazines and tabloids are readying for the day and they publish sonnets and verses to commemorate St Valentine's Day.

Valentines Day traditions In Australia

The gold miners in Australia who were blushing with new found wealth from the Ballarat mines were willing to pay a princely sum for making elaborate valentines. The merchants in Australia would generally send orders of a thousand pounds at a time to make the Valentines Day grander. The most profligate of valentines were made of a satin cushion and ornately designed with flowers, colored shells, ribbons etc. All this work was kept in a neatly adorned box.

Valentine Symbols

CupidCupid, the winged and mischievous little angel pierces the hearts of his victims with his bows and arrows. The Greeks called him Eros whereas to the Romans he was known by the name of Cupid, the son of Venus. Cupid is thought to be responsible for people falling in love.

Roses

Roses have always been the subject of great importance and a certain hit with the lovers all around the world. Roses symbolize love, compassion, peace, friendship and romance. They are available in various colors, each in turn signifying a different thing. Red for passion, Yellow for friendship and White stands for true love and devotion.

Ribbons and frillsRibbons and trappings are synonymous with love and romance since time immemorial. These were given to the kings and knights by their beloved ones when they went to battles. Even to this day the ribbons form an important part of auspicious occasions.

HeartsNothing symbolizes love more completely as does the heart. And for a romantic person there is no other symbol as important as heart. Heart signifies the life and if you give your heart to someone it means to handover to her or him one's existence. Heart pierced with arrow forms the most important symbol of Valentines Day.

Love Birds and DovesThe belief that birds find their mates on this special day still continues and today's world is no exception to it. The blue colored birds best signify this belief. It is said that lovebirds can't think of life without their mates. Dove on the other hand signifies purity, humbleness and purity and wholesomeness.

Love KnotsThe fashion of sending love knots is traced backed to the Arabic traditions where young Muslim Women in traditional and orthodox households expressed their love and affection via the medium of love knots. These women used to sent their love messages to their beloved one's woven in the knots of a carpet. The concept of love knots continues to exist even to this day.

Love - a terribly misunderstood emotion, although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker.

Made by: Kristina Stavrevska Nina Dimitrievska &&. Katerina Veljanovska