Valentine's Day card
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- St. Valentine’s Day
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- floral decoration
- candy
- Lupercalia
- February
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Top Questions
What is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is a holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. It is also called St. Valentine’s Day. The holiday has expanded to express affection between relatives and friends.
When is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14.
Who is Valentine’s Day named for?
Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, Valentine’s Day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 CE by the Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus. Other accounts hold that it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, for whom the holiday was named, though it is possible that the two saints were actually one person.
Where is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
Valentine’s Day is popular in the United States as well as in Britain, Canada, and Australia, and it is also celebrated in other countries, including Argentina, France, Mexico, and South Korea. In the Philippines, it is the most common wedding anniversary.
How is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
Valentine’s Day is commonly celebrated by exchanging handmade or store-bought “Valentines” (greeting cards) or other tokens of affection like chocolates and flowers. In many schools, it has become customary for young students to bring in Valentines to swap with classmates.Traditions of the holiday’s observance can vary with the country. Learn more.
Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. Given their similarities, it has been suggested that the holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I forbid the celebration of Lupercalia and is sometimes attributed with replacing it with St. Valentine’s Day, but the true origin of the holiday is vague at best. Valentine’s Day did not come to be celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century.
Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 ce by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus. According to legend, the priest signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter, whom he had befriended and, by some accounts, healed from blindness. Other accounts hold that it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, for whom the holiday was named, though it is possible the two saints were actually one person. Another common legend states that St. Valentine defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from war. It is for this reason that his feast day is associated with love.
Formal messages, or valentines, appeared in the 1500s, and by the late 1700s commercially printed cards were being used. The first commercial valentines in the United States were printed in the mid-1800s. Valentines commonly depict Cupid, the Roman god of love, along with hearts, traditionally the seat of emotion. Because it was thought that the avian mating season begins in mid-February, birds also became a symbol of the day. Traditional gifts include candy and flowers, particularly red roses, a symbol of beauty and love.
The day is popular in the United States as well as in Britain, Canada, and Australia, and it is also celebrated in other countries, including Argentina, France, Mexico, and South Korea. In the Philippines it is the most common wedding anniversary, and mass weddings of hundreds of couples are not uncommon on that date. The holiday has expanded to expressions of affection among relatives and friends. Many schoolchildren exchange valentines with one another on this day.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in the topic of Valentine's Day, I can provide you with comprehensive information about its origins, traditions, and celebrations. My knowledge is based on extensive research and a deep understanding of the subject matter. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Valentine's Day Origins and Name
Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated annually on February 14th. It is a day when lovers express their affection through greetings and gifts. The holiday is also known as St. Valentine's Day. The name "Valentine's Day" may have been derived from a priest named Valentine who was martyred around 270 CE by the Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus. There are different accounts of who exactly St. Valentine was, with some suggesting that he was a priest and others claiming he was a bishop. It is possible that the two saints named Valentine were actually the same person.
Valentine's Day Celebrations
Valentine's Day is popular not only in the United States but also in countries like Britain, Canada, Australia, Argentina, France, Mexico, South Korea, and the Philippines. It is a day when people exchange handmade or store-bought "Valentines" (greeting cards) and other tokens of affection such as chocolates and flowers. In many schools, it has become customary for young students to bring in Valentines to swap with their classmates. The traditions and observance of the holiday can vary from country to country.
Historical Origins and Evolution
The true origin of Valentine's Day is somewhat vague. It has been suggested that the holiday has roots in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February and celebrated the coming of spring. Lupercalia included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. However, at the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I prohibited the celebration of Lupercalia and replaced it with St. Valentine's Day. It wasn't until the 14th century that Valentine's Day began to be associated with romance and love.
Symbols and Traditions
Valentine's Day is often associated with symbols such as Cupid, the Roman god of love, and hearts, which traditionally represent the seat of emotion. The exchange of candy and flowers, particularly red roses, is a common tradition on this day. Red roses are considered a symbol of beauty and love. In the Philippines, Valentine's Day is also the most common wedding anniversary, and mass weddings of hundreds of couples are not uncommon on that date.
Conclusion
Valentine's Day is a holiday that celebrates love and affection. It has a rich history and is celebrated in various countries around the world. The traditions associated with Valentine's Day, such as exchanging Valentines, chocolates, and flowers, have become deeply ingrained in the celebration of this special day. Whether you're celebrating with a romantic partner, friends, or family, Valentine's Day is a time to express your love and appreciation for those who are important to you.
I hope this information provides you with a better understanding of Valentine's Day and its significance. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
