ALT-1 Valentines Day Traditions
Valentine's Day has a long history and the belief is that it was founded as far back as Roman times. The traditions and customs of the day have therefore been ongoing for many years and whether it is simply sending a card expressing your feelings or something more extravagant, the day itself has become a special time for couples. However, how many of us actually know the reasons why we celebrate this day. Until doing a little background research and writing this article, I have to admit that I was one of those people who had never really considered the story behind Valentine's Day and the history and legend involved.
Valentine's Day is believed to have its roots in Roman and Christian history. The history itself is shrouded in mystery and there are a number of legends about the day and St Valentine himself. The Catholic Church recognizes a few Saints who were named Valentine and the stories associated with these Saints are believed to have had an influence on the present day traditions. One such legend contends that Valentine was a roman soldier who sent the first Valentine's greeting while he was held in prison. While there he fell in love with the daughter of one of the guards and before he was put to death he sent her a letter which he signed 'from your Valentine'. This is a common expression which is still in use to this day.
Another legend has it that Valentine was a priest who lived during Roman times. When the Emperor of the day decided that all soldiers should remain single, as he believed this made them better fighters, Valentine defied this and continued to marry soldiers and their sweethearts. When the Emperor found out about this he had Valentine executed. Many people believed that there was some truth in these legends and that Valentine's Day was originally celebrated to commemorate the death of Valentine. With Valentine considered a romantic figure in history, the day became associated with love and romance.
Others believe that Valentine's Day was founded by the Christian Church to celebrate Valentine's feast in an attempt to 'Christianize' an earlier pagan festival called Lupercalia. These festivals were held at the start of Spring in February and part of the rituals included the young single women in a town writing their names on slips of paper and placing these in a large pot. The young bachelors in the town would then pick a name from the pot and these two would be paired for the year. Often these meetings ended in romance and marriage and around 498AD Pope Gelasius decreed that February 14 be the day of the festival and many believe this went on to become celebrated as St Valentine's Day.
In the Middle Ages it was also believed that the mating season of birds began in February and this added to the idea that February was a time of romance and couples. As time moved on, February the 14 became the accepted date for celebrating St Valentine and the Valentine feast and the romantic traditions of these encouraged sweethearts and couples to exchange messages of love on this day.
Valentine's Day as we know it today probably started in the 1600's when lovers stared to exchange tokens of affection and it was around this time that printed cards started to appear and be exchanged on Valentine's Day. The use of printed cards made it easier for couples to exchange messages without having to write a letter and this popularized the tradition in many countries. In the UK the oldest know Valentines Day card is held in the British Museum and comes from around this time, while in America it is believed that the first Valentine's Day card was sent by Esther Howland in the early 1800's and she also started selling these to others.
Since this time Valentine's Day has become a popular tradition and 14th February is now accepted around the world as a day for romance and couples. Sending cards and flowers, arranging a romantic meal and buying presents is now common and enjoyed by millions of people in countries all over the world. Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and on such a romantic day everyone should take the time to show someone how much the care.
