Love is beautiful, and we should celebrate it. But what is the meaning of Valentine’s Day? This article shows you the meaning behind this special occasion and where it comes from.
People of all ages worldwide share cards, flowers, and gifts on Valentine’s Day, showing their friendship, caring, and love. Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and bouquets of bright roses are exchanged at romantic dinners between beloveds. Even a five-year-old school kid makes and presents Valentine’s Day cards to their friends and loved ones. All those gestures show our caring for each other.
What is the meaning of Valentine`s Day?
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Valentine’s Day is when lovers, friends, and other people show their affection with gifts and greetings. This day origins back as far as the Roman period where it started with a feast called Lupercalia, a rejoiced fertility, which was a Mid-February Holiday.
What is the history? Where does it come from?
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Valentine’s Day is a fixed day on the calendar. The holiday comes from the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in the middle of February from about 750 B.C. to the end of the 5th century A.D.
This festival celebrated the coming of spring with fertility rites and women’s pairing with men through lottery. This was done by picking names from a jar.
In old Greece, people observed a mid-winter celebration for the goddess Hera and god Zeus’ marriage. A few historians think if such traditions may have affected the way people celebrate February 14.
Why is it the Day of Love?
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In the Middle Ages, the poet Geoffrey Chaucer (1340s-1400), was the very first to connect Saint Valentine with romantic love by a poem.
The poem describes a group of birds that gather together in the early spring – on ‘seynt valentynes day’ – to choose their mates for the year.
That was the start of the tradition of courtly love – a ritual showing admiration and love – typically in secret.
Where is it celebrated?
That practice spread across Europe, and stories developed about a High Court of Love where women judges would reign on issues associated with love on February 14 every year. Great historians assume that such meetings were gatherings where individuals read poetry and played flirtation games.
Valentine’s Day falls on February 14 and is celebrated across the globe. Pope Gelasius announced February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day, at the end of the fifth century. Since then, February 14 has been the special Day of celebration, both romantic and religious.
What are the symbols, and why?
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The use of sending love messages grew into people sending unique cards showing their affection. Such cards were lovely creations handmade by the sender and individually made to show how much they love and value the recipient.
Cards would include sentimental verses, telling the beauty of the receiver and how much they were cherished. Nowadays, we send digital cards, messages, or a GIF.
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Saint Valentine’s Day cards were also embellished with images of flowers, hearts, and cupid. These are trimmed with ribbon and lace. Such embodiments are still utilized today to signify love and are recognized throughout the globe.
More answers on the meaning of Valentine`s Day:
Valentine`s Day is on the 14th of February. This is a fixed date meaning that it is celebrated every year on the 14th of February.
This lovely day is not exclusive to lovers. Many people celebrate this day with friends to celebrate friendship and showing that you care.
Two cute puppies.
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In Japan, White Day is celebrated on March 14th, a month later than Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 14th.
White Day in Japan, on March 14th, is the day that men are expected to return the favor by giving gifts to the women they received gifts from on Valentine’s Day.
Japanese sweets
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Last-minute Valentine`s Day Gift Idea.
Looking for a nice gift? Why not try an Amazon Valentine`s Gift card? That is always a nice present. See all of the benefits of an Amazon Giftcard:
- It never expires.
- Instantly delivered or scheduled for a later date.
- Personal gift message.
- Over 150 designs and 20 occasions.
- Make it more fun with animation.
- Use your own photo to make it more personal.
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Now that you understand what is the meaning of Valentine’s Day, what is your plan?
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