Saint Valentine and the true origin of the celebrated 'day of love'
By Molly Geoghegan
Jeremy Mikula
Approximately 141 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.
But how did we declare
this one day out of the year to be one for lovers?
With all the cards, balloons,
and chocolate being prepared for the upcoming holiday, you might be wondering
if there is further meaning behind the candy conversation hearts we exchange
every year.
The origins of
Valentine's Day come from the patron saint of love and happy marriages—Saint
Valentine.
Many stories surround
Saint Valentine, but all share the common thread that he lived as a sympathetic
and romantic figure.
When Valentine was
serving as a priest in third century Rome, Emperor Claudius II declared that
single men made better soldiers than those with wives or families and marriage
was outlawed for young men in Italy.
Valentine, who saw the
injustice of this law, continued to marry young lovers in secret and was later
sentenced to death and jailed for his actions.
While imprisoned, he
fell in love with his jailer's daughter. It is said that he made the first
"valentine card" by writing her a letter before his death signed
"From your Valentine."
Today, Italy carries on
Valentine's real life "Romeo and Juliet" story by celebrating with
tokens of love and gifts —traditions that have been adapted and become
customary in the United States. In certain parts of the country, it has even
become a custom to get engaged on that day.
The rituals of roses and
chocolates can be found as part of Valentine's festivities in many other parts
of the world as well. The British also celebrate Valentine's Day with cards and
gift exchanges between loved ones.
Some families in Norfolk
incorporate the character of ‘Jack the Valentine' into their holiday fun.
Children are told there will be a knock on the door on Valentine's Eve and upon
opening the door, a present is ready for them, but the sender is nowhere to be
found. In more pranking variations of the tradition, the package is pulled away
by a string as the child attempts to pick it up.
In Japan and Korea,
women present gifts to their significant others on Feb. 14, but the male gives
his gift on another day later in the year.
People in Denmark might
send a gaekkebrev—a "joking letter"—that includes a silly rhyme in
the letter, but with no signature.
Instead, the sender
leaves a dot for each letter of his or her name and if the woman guesses
correctly, she receives an Easter egg that spring.
During the Middle Ages,
Valentine's Day was believed to be the beginning of the birds' mating season.
This added to the idea
that February was the month of romance—and no matter the differences in
traditions from country to country, the month of love is a notion that still
remains universal.
While most countries
celebrate the day of Saint Valentine with floral arrangements similar to those
of the United States, you might make this Valentine's Day a bit more worldly by
incorporating, "Va a ser mi día de San Valentín?"
(Spanish),"Va-tu être mon Valentin?" (French), or "Sie werden
meine valentine?" (German), into your holiday cards.
Whatever you choose, the
message is clear—"Will you be my Valentine?"
