History, Customs and Traditions

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
There are various popular
and interesting legends
of St Valentine's Day.
Some legends trace the
origin of Valentine's Day
to pagan times while
others link it one or more
Saints of early Christian
Church. Yet another
point of view on the
origin of Valentine's Day
links it to the beginning
of birds mating season.
Popularity of the festival
is perhaps due to the
combined effect of all
these legends along with
the notion that spring is
the time for love.

Early Christian Church indicates
the presence of at least two saints
names Valentine. Some scholars
however, says that there were as
many as seven saints credited with
the name of Saint Valentine or
Valentinus all of whom lived in the
Third Century and apparently died
on the same day. Given here are
some of the most popular of all
legends of Saint Valentine
Several historians trace the origin of Valentine's Day to pagan
times in ancient Roman Empire. In those times, people organized
a holiday on February 14 to honor Juno - the mythological Queen
of Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also regarded Juno as
the Goddess of Women and Marriage. From the following day -
February 15 started the Fertility Festival called the Feast of
Lupercalia. This feast was organized to protect humans from
wolves and to honor the Roman Gods of Agriculture - Lupercus
and Faunus besides the founders of Rome - Romulus and
Remus. During the Feast of Lupecalia, members of Lupercali - an
order of the Roman priest used to gather in a sacred cave where
Romulus and Remus were believed to have been cared for by a she-
wolf or lupa. Following the tradition, the priest would sacrifice a
goat for fertility and a dog for purification. Boys would slice the
goats hide into strips, dipped them in sacrificial blood and move
about the streets gently slapping women and fields with the
animal hide. Womenfolk gladly received a slap, as they believed
that the practice would make them more fertile. Later, during the
Feast of Lupecalia, all the young women in the city would place a
chit of their name in a big urn. Bachelors in the city would each
then take a chit out of the urn and became paired for the girl
whose name was on the chit for the rest of the year. Quite often,
the paired couple would fall in love and marry.

Later, when Christianity spread through Rome, the practice of
finding mate through lottery' was deemed un-Christian and
outlawed. Around 498 AD, Pope Gelasius is said to have declared
February 14 St. Valentine's Day. Some writers link Valentine's Day
with Feast of Lupercalia because of similar date and connection
with fertility.
According to one very popular legend, Valentine was a priest in
Rome who lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Under
his regime, Claudius is said to have engaged Rome into several
bloody battles. To strengthen his army, the Emperor continuously
needed to recruit soldiers. However, Claudius found that not
many soldiers were keen to join the army because of attachment
with their wives and families. In order to sever the bond of
attachment, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in
Rome. Valentine - a romantic at heart priest, defied this callous
decree of Claudius by secretly arranging marriages of young men
and women. When Valentine's defiance was discovered by the
Emperor, he was brutally beaten up and put to death on February
14, about 270 AD.

For his martyrdom and dedication for the cause Valentine was
name a Saint after his death. By Middle Ages, Saint Valentine
became popular as the patron saint of love and lovers in England
and France to the extent that Pope Gelasius declared February 14
as Valentine's Day on 498 AD and put an end to pagan
celebrations. Thus, Saint Valentine's martyrdom day became an
occasion to celebrate love.


Another famous legend on Saint Valentine states Valentine was
an early Christian in Rome who was very popular amongst
children. But during the time when Valentine lived, Roman
regime was not in favour of Christianity and it even persecuted
Christians to make Rome free of the followers of Christianity. In
spite of this strict law, Valentine continued to practice his faith
and refused to worship Roman Gods. This enraged Emperor
Claudius II and he put Valentine into prison.

Valentine is said to have spent a year in rigorous imprisonment
during which he was missed a lot by children. They began to
toss loving notes and flowers between the bars of his cell
window. To an extent, this legend may explain the tradition of
exchanging notes and flowers on Valentine's Day.





Some scholars believe that during his stay in prison
Valentine made friends with jailer's blind daughter who
at times brought to him notes and flowers from children.
Whenever, possible Valentine also replied to the notes.
Days before his execution, Valentine prayed for the
jailer's daughter and she regained her sight. Before his
death, Valentine is also said to have written a farewell
note for the jailer's daughter and signed it "From Your
Valentine. This expression is popular even till date.

Some scholars believe that Valentine was killed because
he tried to help Christians escape from the Roman prison
as they were being tortured and beaten. Yet another set of
scholars say Emperor Claudius II was impressed by
Valentine's kindness and good behavior. He even stated
that Valentine could be freed if he agreed to worship
Roman Gods. Valentine not just refused he even tried to
convert Emperor to Christianity. This made Claudius very
angry and he ordered his execution. Valentine was
beheaded on February 14.

Some scholars talk about the presence of yet
another Saint Valentine related to Valentine's Day
celebration of February 14. This Valentine was a
Bishop residing in Interamna (today known as
Terni) in Italy in the Third Century. He is said to
have dedicated his life to the Christian community
of Terni, becoming the first Bishop of the town.
People adored Bishop Valentine and the fame of
his holiness and miracles reached Rome.
Valentine's was also linked with love because he is
believed to be the first religious personage to
oversee the celebration of marriage between a
pagan man and a Christian woman. This Saint
Valentine is believed to have been scourged,
imprisoned and beheaded by Placidus, Prefect of
Interanma. The relic bones of this Saint Valentine
are housed in a basilica in Terni. To commemorate
the saint, every year on February 14, the town of
Terni hosts exhibitions, fairs and cultural events.
During the Middle Ages, people in
England and France held a popular
belief that birds started to look for a
mate from February 14. This popular
notion further strengthened the idea
that Valentine's Day festival that falls
in the middle of February should be
celebrated as the day of love and
romance. The concept soon gained
ground amongst the lovers and they
began to celebrate the day by
exchanging love notes and simple gifts
like flower.
Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine
served as a priest at the temple during the reign of
Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine
jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius
set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for
exchanging love messages and St. Valentine
became the patron saint of lovers. The date was
marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as
flowers. There was often a social gathering or a
ball. In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is
given credit for sending the first valentine cards.
Commercial valentines were introduced in the
1800's and now the date is very commercialised.
The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post
office business around February 14. The spirit of
good continues as valentines are sent out with
sentimental verses and children exchange
valentine cards at school.

Romantic festival of St Valentine's Day
is celebrated with enthusiasm and
fond regard in several countries
around the world. Most commonly
observed Valentine's Day tradition and
custom is expressing one's love with an
exchange of cards, flowers and gifts.
Pampering one's beloved and making
a romantic proposal to one's
sweetheart is the other popular
tradition of the festival that celebrates
love.


There are several other Valentine's Day customs and
traditions associated with festival but these vary in
different countries because of the social and cultural
differences. What remains the same everywhere though is
celebration of love by lovers. Here we will discuss some of
the most commonly observed way of celebrating St
Valentine' Day.

Looking for Dates
Wishing Happy Valentine's Day' to all We Love
Valentine's Day Custom of Exchanging Notes
Valentine's Day Tradition of Exchanging Gifts
An Occasion to Dine and Wine
Valentine's Day Celebrations in Schools
One of the most popular customs of
Valentine's Day observed worldwide is
to go on a date with sweetheart. Those
without a date start looking for one
days before the festival. The custom
originated from the popular English
belief that birds chose their partners
on February 14. For this reason,
Valentines Day was called the Birds'
Wedding Day in parts of Sussex.

In the beginning, Valentine's Day was
associated with romantic couples only
but in recent times the festival is seen
in much larger perspective. Now,
people take opportunity of the day to
wish Happy Valentine's Day' to
anyone they love be it father, mother,
teachers, siblings, friends, co-workers
or just anyone special to them. The
idea behind this tradition is to
celebrate love, get love and give love to
everyone around us.
One of the most commonly observed Valentine's
Day customs is the exchange of love notes called
Valentines'. Initially people used to exchange
handwritten notes but starting with the 19th
century, the practice of sending hand written notes
was replaced by the exchange of mass-produced
greeting cards. Gradually, Valentines Day cards
came to be gifted to teachers, siblings, parents,
friends and dear ones along with sweethearts.
Today, Valentine's Day festival is estimated to be
the biggest card-sending occasion after Christmas.
Most commonly used pictures in Valentine's
Greetings include images of popular Valentines
Day symbols like red roses, hearts and Cupid - the
pudgy, winged son of Venus, the goddess of love.
These days, there is also a tradition to club
Valentine's with tiny candy hearts with affectionate
messages printed on them.



There exists a strong tradition of indulging
one's beloved with gifts of love. Some of the
most popular gifts exchanged between lovers
on Valentine's Day are fresh flowers - mainly
roses, chocolates and teddy bears. Fine jewelry
is increasingly becoming a popular St
Valentine's Day gift for women due to the
rigorous marketing campaign by diamond
industry. Candies, showpieces besides several
other things are also gifted to dear ones
including grandparents, parents, siblings,
teachers and friends. This is because
Valentine's Day is increasingly being regarded
as the festival that celebrates love between two
individuals and not just lovers.

The other most traditional way to celebrate
Valentine's Day is to go for romantic
candlelight dinners with one's Valentine.
Many also choose to propose their dates in
such a romantic setting and say the golden
words, I love you'. The other most emerging
tradition is to participate in Valentine's Day
balls and dance parties organized by various
societies, clubs and restaurants. Many people
also organize Valentine's Day Couple's parties
in their homes where lovers have a blast in the
company of friends. Those without a partner
organize Valentine's Day Single's Party and
have a good time dancing and playing games
with other friends who are single.
In several countries including United
States and Canada there is a tradition
to organize Valentine's Day classroom
parties in schools. In such parties
children exchange chocolates and
Valentine's Day cards with their
friends. British children sing special
Valentine's Day song and receive
candies and chocolates as reward.
Senior school children usually
organize Valentine's Day dance parties
and have fun with friends.
There are several symbols attached to the romantic
festival of Valentine's Day. The most commonly
attached Valentine's Day Symbols include Roses,
Hearts, Cupid, Lovebirds and Dove besides Love
Knots and Laces. Each of these Valentine's Day
Symbols has an interesting story about how they
become attached with the festival. Over the years
these symbols have become a part of the Valentine's
Day Tradition. The present generation may not
know the story behind these symbols but they
surely recognize the festival with its traditional
symbols.
Valentine's Day Roses
Valentine's Day Hearts
Cupid
Lovebirds & Doves
Love Knots
Valentines Day Lace





Valentine's Day Roses Valentine's Day Hearts Cupid Lovebirds & Doves
Love Knots Valentines Day Lace
Rose is one of the most popular flower and
one of the most powerful symbol of
Valentine's Day. Since time immemorial rose
flower has been a favorite of poets and
romantics at heart. For them, the lovely rose
stand for beauty, passion and love.


Every year on February 14 lovers long for a gift
of Rose from their Valentine as the flower has
come to denote I love you'. No wonder,
demand for roses reach its zenith on
Valentine's Day as people across the globe
chose to express their love with a lovely rose.


Legend behind Valentine's Day Roses

There is an interesting story behind the legend of
Valentine's Day Rose. It is said that once a beautiful
maiden by the name of Rodanthe was pursued by a
number of impassioned suitors. In their desperate pursuit
the lovers broke the doors of Rodanthe's house. This
enraged goddess Diana. She turned Rodanthe into a
flower and her suitors into thorns.


According to a popular legend in Rome once Cupid was
carrying a vase of sweet nectar to the Gods on Mount
Olympus and some nectar spilled on the ground. From
the spot where the nectar fell emerged the beautiful Rose
flower.
An interesting point to notice is that if the letters of the
word rose' are rearranged, it comes out to Eros - the God
of Love. Red roses are also considered to be a symbol of
love and passion and the favorite flower of Venus - the
Goddess of Love.


Meaning of Different Colors of Roses
Rose flower is found in different colors and it is
fascinating to note that each of these different Rose colors
have been assigned different meanings by the society.
Hence one needs to be careful while presenting rose to
someone.

Red Roses - Love and passion
White Roses - True love, purity of the mind and
reverence
Yellow Roses - Friendship, celebration and joy
Pink Roses - Friendship or Sweetheart, admiration
Peach Roses - Desire and excitement or appreciation
Lilac Roses - Love at first sight and enchantment
Coral Roses - Desire
Orange Roses - Enthusiasm and desire
Black Roses - Farewell or "It's Over"
Bouquet of Red and Yellow Roses: Happiness and
celebrations
Bouquet of Red and White Roses: Bonding and
harmony
Bouquet of Yellow and Orange Roses: Passion
Red heart pierced by the Cupid's arrow is a
traditional symbol of Valentine's Day. Heart
symbolizes love and giving someone a heart
means to hand over one's existence to
someone. A heart pierced by a Cupid's arrow
means that when someone presents a heart,
the person takes the risk of being rejected and
feeling hurt. Piercing arrow therefore
symbolizes death and vulnerability of love.
Some people also believe that the heart and
arrow symbolizes the uniting of male and a
female.

Today, one finds great use of red heart symbol
especially heart shaped red balloons in
Valentine's Day decoration. Stuffed red heart
decorated with a lace is a popular Valentine's
Day Gift.
Origin of Valentine's Day Hearts

Around 12th Century people were not aware the function
of heart was to circulate blood inside the human body.
What they knew was that heart begins to beat faster when
a person is upset or excited. They, therefore, derived that
heart was the seat of emotions and feelings. Poets too
eulogized the role of heart in feelings of love and romance
and over the years this make believe connection between
heart and love became deep seated in the minds of
people. Today, even though it has been scientifically
proved that emotions come from the brain heart remains a
powerful symbol of love and Valentine's Day.

Wearing one's Heart on one's Sleeve

The popular expression of 'Wearing one's heart on one's
sleeve' comes from the tradition prevalent in America and
Britain around 1800s. At that time, young men used to
wear slips of paper pinned on their sleeves and had their
girlfriend's name written on it.
Winged and mischievous little angel called Cupid is one
of the very famous Valentine's Day Symbols. The symbol
traces its origin from the Roman mythology where Cupid
has been described as the son of Venus - the Goddess of
Love. It is believed that Cupid had a bow with a quiver of
arrows and anyone hit by Cupid's arrow did not die but
fell in love. According to a myth, it was Cupid's mother
Venus who used to send him on such errands.


In Greek mythology, Cupid is known by the name of Eros
and as the son of Aphrodite - the Greek Goddess of Love.
In Roman and Greek mythology Cupid is always shown as
a youth and not as a fat baby with wings. In Latin,
however, the meaning of the word Cupid' is desire. Latin
mythology shows Cupid as a chubby, naked, winged boy
or youth with a mischievous smile and as someone who
made people fall in love.


In certain mythologies it is said that anyone shot with a
Cupid's arrow falls in love with the first person he/she
sees. It is also said that Cupid's arrow was invisible to his
victims so that they would not be aware that they were
shot until they fell in love. Several legends have used this
mischief of Cupid to create hilarious situations.
Lovebirds and Doves are an endearing and
prominent Valentine's Day symbols. The
symbol traces its origin from a belief in
the olden times that birds found their
mate on February 14. Interestingly, lovers
across the world till date hold on to this
belief.

Reason why doves and lovebirds are
considered strongly as a symbol of
Valentine's Day is that while doves signify
purity, innocence and humbleness picture
of lovebirds conjures up the vision of
couple in love.


About Lovebirds

It is said that blue colored lovebirds
got their names because they sit
closely to each other just like people
who are in love do. People say that
lovebirds can't think of their lives
without their mates. Besides,
lovebirds are known to keeping in
pairs and keeping to themselves just
as the young lovers want to live in
privacy. Nowadays, lovebirds that
are depicted on Valentine's Day are
tiny parrots in bright colors. This is
because lovebirds are genetically
from parrot family.
About Doves

A special characteristic of doves and
pigeons is their extreme loyalty to their
mates. Unlike most other animals that go
from partner to partner, doves remain
with one partner all through their life.
This is why, doves are recognized as a
symbol of love and loyalty on Valentine's
Day.
According to a myth, Roman Goddess
Venus considered dove as sacred because
of its fidelity towards mate. Cooing
sound made by birds is linked to love
sound attributed to lovers. For this
reason, when lovers talk in flowery and
sugary language to each other they are
said to be 'cooing'.
Love knot is yet another symbol of Valentine's Day.
Representing love that will last forever, love knots
are actually a series of winding and intertwining
loops that have neither a beginning nor an end.

Valentine's Day symbol of Love Knots traces its
origin to early Arab traditions. Young Muslim
women living in strict orthodox households used to
express love to young men through secret messages
woven through the knots of a carpet. Lovers read
the messages by turning the knot around and
around. The tradition of sending messages through
the knots gave birth to the concept of love knots
that exist even to this day.


Some people believe the custom of love knots
began with the sailors several years ago. This is
because sailors were skilled at making fishnets and
so making intricate knots was their forte.
Laces and ribbons are a delicate Valentine's Day
symbol. Their association with love and romance
can be traced to ancient times. At that time when
kings and knights went to battles their ladylove
presented laces to them.


There is yet another reason attributed to popularity
of Laces as Valentine's Day symbol. Hundreds of
years ago ladies used to carry lace handkerchief. If
at times a lady accidentally dropped her hanky,
courtesy demanded that the man standing near the
lady pick up the handkerchief for her. Sometimes,
ladies used to drop their handkerchiefs deliberately
in front of the man they liked and wanted to meet.
Lace therefore became a tool in the hands of ladies
to encourage romance. Gradually, people began to
associate lace with romance and started using paper
lace to decorate chocolate boxes and Valentine
cards. Even in present times laces are used in
Valentine's Day Decoration and Cards.
Valentines Day in present times has
become a huge craze especially
amongst the youth in countries
around the world. Those in love start
planning for the Valentine's Day
celebrations with sweetheart days
before the festival while those without
a lover start looking for a date so that
they are able to celebrate the day in
the much-romanticized manner.
Hype for the festival is further built up
by the media and the rigorous
advertising campaign run by the cards
and gifts marketers.
Love is ... a tender feeling,
Love is ... a way of being,
Love is ... just showing someone you care.
Love is ... helping with the dishes,
Love is ... feeding your pet fishes,
Love is ... just giving from your heart.
Love is so very simple,
It's not a mystery.
When you treat those around you
The very same way
You want them to treat you.
Love is ... your baby sister,
Love is ... playing with her,
Love is ... holding her when she cries.
Love is ... sharing your candy,
Love is ... being all that you can be,
Love is ... lending a helping hand when someone needs you.
Love is ...
L-- V- E
Love is ...
For you and me.
Oh! Love is the greatest thing in the world.