Honestly, most of us just know Valentine’s day to be about love and big romantic gestures, other than that it’s completely dark. Yet every year we have high expectations on the day.
What is Valentine’s day?
Valentine’s Day is known as St. Valentine’s Day, a holiday that takes place on the 14th February, is about lovers who express their affection with greetings and gifts. Given their similarities, it has been suggested that the day has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February.
10 facts you need to know about Valentine’s day according to History.com and Good Housekeeping:
1. Who was it named after?
Valentine’s Day was named after its patron saint, St. Valentine — but there’s actually some confusion surrounding which St. Valentine the holiday technically honors. According to History.com there were at least two Valentine’s, one a preacher and the other was known for illegally marrying couples in the spirit of love until he was caught and sentenced to death.
2. Why was It associated with love?
It wasn’t until the Middle Ages, though, that the holiday became associated with love and romance, a tradition that first started from the common belief in France and England that birds started their mating season on February 14.
3. The first defined Valentine’s
According to History.com, it was a poem written by a French medieval duke named Charles to his wife in 1415. Charles penned this sweet note to his lover while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London at just 21 years old.
4. Exchanges of gifts and cards
People started exchanging cards and handwritten letters to both lovers and friends during the 17th century, but it was in the 1840s that the first Valentine’s Day cards were mass-produced in the U.S.
5. The tradition of giving flowers
Giving out red roses started becoming a popular thing in the 17th century.
6. The meaning behind the color of the flowers given on Valentine’s day
Red in flowers is traditionally known to resemble a color of love but happiness, pink, purple or white symbolizes royalty and sympathy respectively, these may be given on the holiday too.
7. The art behind Valentine’s messages
Back in the 19th century, people used to hire a Valentine’s writer for their romantic messages and poetry.
8. The most purchased gift
Jewellery is the most purchased item to give on Valentine’s every year.
9. Where did the heart shaped chocolate come from?
This was introduced in 1861 by the son of Richard Cadbury, John Cadbury to help increase sales.
10. Most couples get engaged on Valentine’s day
Many couples get engaged on Valentine’s day because of what it symbolizes and it’s meaning. People love doing big gestures on the day.
Also see: Should men be the only ones to spoil their women on Valentine’s day?
