On February 14, lovers of many countries celebrate the holiday of lovers. Couples have romantic dinners, surprises, and romantic gif.webpts. On Valentine's Day, they give sweets, cakes, soft toys, souvenirs and always cards in the form of hearts. Once in history, February 14 was a Catholic holiday, and this day was dedicated to a Saint named Valentine. At the same time, the holiday was in no way connected with the love stories of loving men and women, and already much later on February 14 it became a secular holiday.
When is Valentine's Day
Everywhere Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14, and this date has not changed every year throughout the history of the holiday.
In the Middle Ages, February 14 was historically considered the day when the mating season began for birds. In those days, there was a belief: depending on which bird catches the eyes of a lonely girl first, this will be her future husband. If a sparrow met first, there will be a marriage with a windy man, but all the same, the woman in this marriage will receive her happiness. Goldfinch promised a wealthy and noble betrothed. But, seeing the bullfinch, the woman was doomed to wait on land for her husband-sailor.
When February 14 became a Catholic holiday, history is silent. There are many versions, but none of them has been scientifically confirmed.
In the 15th century (1415), the tradition of giving valentines appeared. The first valentine was sent to his wife by the Duke of Orleans. While behind bars, he sent in this way a message of his love and devotion to his beloved. Starting with this story, guys and girls give hearts to their chosen ones with love inscriptions.
In modern history, on February 14, lovers try to surprise and amaze their halves with romantic surprises. Everyone knows what date Valentine's Day is celebrated, and they prepare for this in advance.
Who is Saint Valentine
There are various versions about who Saint Valentine really was.
There are three different versions of who Saint Valentine was. In the history of Catholicism, three significant personalities are named under this name.
- Priest Valentine of Rome. He served the Catholic Church in Rome and was killed during the collapse of the Roman Empire when the persecution of priests began.
- Italian bishop Valentine. He was executed and buried near Rome.
- The history of the third character is practically unknown. There are legends that he was an associate who glorified the Catholic Church and promoted the Catholic faith among the masses.
Valentine's Day can be timed to coincide with each of the above historical figures, however, there is another story of St. Valentine, which is very romantic.
Where did Valentine's Day come from?
There is a version that the history of the holiday on February 14 began in the Roman Empire. The ruler Claudius II drew attention to the fact that young people practically do not go to warriors. Claudius II concluded that this is due to the fact that the wives of young men do not allow them to fight. And then he issued a decree: forbid all unmarried men to get married. At the same time, the physician Valentine was a zealous preacher of the Christian religion. He married couples in love secretly from all.
One person who had a blind daughter once turned to Valentin for help. Her name was Julia. The doctor, seeing the blind girl, fell in love with her. But then the Roman ruler found out that some Valentine was secretly marrying couples, and ordered to put him behind bars. Already knowing about the upcoming execution, the doctor sent an envelope to his beloved Julia, in which there was a healing herb of saffron, as well as a note: "Your Valentine."The doctor was executed on February 14, and Julia, who received a letter from Valentin, opened it and began to see. The Catholic holiday in honor of St. Valentine went into history in 496.
There are many inconsistencies in this romantic story, but no one can claim that this is just a beautiful fairy tale.
The Catholic Church did not consider February 14 as a special day. In 1969, all Roman saints, including St. Valentine's, were removed from the church's calendar. The history of the Catholic holiday ends, but Valentine's Day remains the most important day for all loving people.
At the beginning of the 20th century, enterprising businessmen earned good capital by selling heart cards, sets of sweets, and bouquets of flowers. After all, what holiday is February 14 without such paraphernalia?
Whose is Valentine's Day? In almost all countries, on February 14, happy couples celebrate Valentine's Day, with confessions, gif.webpts and romantic dates.
The main symbols of this holiday at all times have been and remain postcards and gif.webpts, decorated in the form of a heart.
How valentines appeared
Valentine's Day is associated with postcards decorated in the form of hearts. People who are partial to each other exchange valentines as a sign of eternal devotion and love.
On a note! The story calls the first Valentine the declaration of love of the Duke of Orleans, who sent a note in the form of a heart to his beloved wife when he was in captivity.
In the 18th century, Valentine's cards gained widespread popularity in Great Britain. Every person who wanted to confess his love cut out a heart out of colored paper, on which he wrote his confessions using multi-colored ink. Later, ready-made valentine cards appeared, which could be purchased at a second-hand bookstore and sent to your loved one.
Now handmade hearts are back in fashion. Young people, using various materials, make valentines themselves. All kinds of hearts do not exist: paper, knitted, silk, lace, even edible. Postcards that are sent by mail have a special charm. In our historical age of the Internet, getting a sealed envelope containing such a romantic message is really worth a lot.
Symbols and traditions of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is famous for its many iconic symbols. Valentine's Day has the following beliefs and traditions:
- The main colors of this holiday are red and white. The red shade symbolizes passionate love, and the white one - pure thoughts and an open heart. It is also preferable to give pink roses on this day. Pink is also used in the design of presentations.
- Presentations must necessarily symbolize a sublime feeling. You can choose any trinkets in the form of hearts, a cupid figurine, two swans or white doves. Sweets are given in boxes with hearts.
- Any gif.webpt must be accompanied by a valentine - a card in the form of a heart. Do you make it yourself, or use the purchased option, it doesn't matter. But your loved one must receive a heart.
- There is a belief that a wedding held on February 14 leads to further family well-being. Many young couples plan their wedding in advance for this very day many months in advance.
- It remains a tradition in many European countries to guess on this day. One of the popular fortune-telling is that an unmarried girl writes male names on the pieces of paper and folds them under the pillow, and at midnight takes out one piece of paper. This is exactly what, according to legend, the future betrothed will be called.
On this day, it is customary to attach a valentine to any gif.webpt.
How Valentine's Day is celebrated in different countries
It is believed that the origin of Valentine's Day is from Italy. How is February 14 celebrated there?
Italy
It is customary to celebrate Valentine's Day on a grand scale.Everywhere you can find girls with white and red roses, restaurants are filled with happy couples, love reigns everywhere. It so happened historically that in Turin, for example, on February 14, a couple must announce their engagement and arrange a festive dinner with relatives.
France
This country is saturated with love, because it is not for nothing that so many couples in love spend their honeymoon here. The French are very creative in love confessions. Girls on the morning of February 14 can receive a message in a balloon, on the pavement or in the local newspaper. Over a cup of coffee with fresh pastries, French women can find a gorgeous declaration of love on a newspaper spread. Also on this day, men give expensive gif.webpts to their chosen ones: perfume, expensive linen, jewelry. Valentine's day usually ends with a romantic dinner with candles and wine in a pleasant, cozy establishment.
A romantic dinner is a must on Valentine's Day
Denmark
February 14 in Denmark is rightfully considered the most romantic day. Men send their beloved women bouquets of snowdrops, which symbolizes the beginning of a great and tender feeling. The Danes prefer to make valentines on their own, using all their imagination. Inside they can write poems of their own composition. It is important that the postcard is not signed by the author. If the girl to whom the valentine was sent found out who sent it, she sends the young man a chocolate egg for Easter. The Danes spend February 14 strolling through the streets, in cafes, restaurants, and at theatrical performances.
Conclusion
The history of the holiday is not fully understood, there are many versions of where it came from. Nevertheless, Valentine's Day is considered the favorite holiday of the year, especially for those who have already found their soul mate. However, February 14 is a holiday for the still lonely hearts who dream of finding their personal happiness. After all, if you believe the beautiful story, Saint Valentine from heaven helps all lovers, as well as those who are in search.
