What is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day
is a romantic day celebrated on February 14th. People send greeting cards called valentines to their loved ones. Many valentines have romantic poetries, and others have humorous pictures and sayings. The most common saying is, "Be my Valentine."
Valentine decorations and cards can go on store shelves around the world, just for this occasion. The most common gifts to give on Valentine's Day are chocolates and flowers.
How did Valentine's Day begin?
The Valentine's Day probably came from the ancient Roman feast called "Lupercalia." In the early days of Rome, dangerous wolves lived in the forest nearby. The Romans called upon one of their gods, Lupercus, to keep the wolves away. A festival held in honor of Lupercus was celebrated February 15th. The festival was celebrated as a spring festival. Their calender was different at that time, with February falling in early springtime.
One of the customs of Lupercalia for young people was called "name-drawing." On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia, the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and put in a jar. Each young man drew a piece of paper with a name on it. The girl whose name was chosen would be his sweetheart for the year.
Legend says that the day became Valentine's Day after a priest named Valentine. Valentine was a priest in Rome at the time when Christianity was a new religion. The Emperor at that time was Claudius II. He ordered the Roman soldiers not to marry or become engaged. Claudius believed that as married men, his soldiers would want to stay home with their families rather than fight his wars. Valentine disobeyed the Emperor's order and secretly married the young couples. He was eventually arrested, imprisoned, and executed.
Valentine was beheaded on February 14th, the eve of the Roman holiday Lupercalia. After his death, Valentine was named a saint. As Rome became more Christian, the priests moved the spring holiday from the 15th of February to the 14th - Valentine's Day. Now the holiday honored Saint Valentine instead of Lupercus.
Roses and Flowers
Roses are the best-known symbol of beauty and love. Most people know that red roses mean "I love you." A dozen roses certainly sends a big message on Valentine's Day!
Did you know that roses in other colors have meaning too?
• Red and white roses together means unity.
• Pink roses mean grace and gentility.
• Yellow roses symbolize joy.
• Orange or coral roses communicate your desire.
• Burgundy roses are a compliment to your sweetheart's unconscious beauty.
• Sweetheart roses are for couples who like nicknames, as they mean darling, dear, or honey.
• A single rose signifies simplicity, a nice statement to make if your pockets are empty.
• White roses means your sweetheart is heavenly.
• White rosebuds warn that you're too young for love.
Other flowers also carry different meanings.
• Red chrysanthemums, tulips, and carnations still say, "I love you."
• A daisy will compliment your valentine's beauty.
• An elegant cala lily celebrates your lover's splendid beauty.
• You can only send a lavender one time in your life because it goes to your first love.
• Gardenia is for the scared or the shy. It expresses secret untold love.
• Violets express your affection.
So what kind of message do you want to send your sweetheart? Be careful to choose the right flower for your valentine!
Valentine's Day
is a romantic day celebrated on February 14th. People send greeting cards called valentines to their loved ones. Many valentines have romantic poetries, and others have humorous pictures and sayings. The most common saying is, "Be my Valentine."
Valentine decorations and cards can go on store shelves around the world, just for this occasion. The most common gifts to give on Valentine's Day are chocolates and flowers.
How did Valentine's Day begin?
The Valentine's Day probably came from the ancient Roman feast called "Lupercalia." In the early days of Rome, dangerous wolves lived in the forest nearby. The Romans called upon one of their gods, Lupercus, to keep the wolves away. A festival held in honor of Lupercus was celebrated February 15th. The festival was celebrated as a spring festival. Their calender was different at that time, with February falling in early springtime.
One of the customs of Lupercalia for young people was called "name-drawing." On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia, the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and put in a jar. Each young man drew a piece of paper with a name on it. The girl whose name was chosen would be his sweetheart for the year.
Valentine was beheaded on February 14th, the eve of the Roman holiday Lupercalia. After his death, Valentine was named a saint. As Rome became more Christian, the priests moved the spring holiday from the 15th of February to the 14th - Valentine's Day. Now the holiday honored Saint Valentine instead of Lupercus.
Roses and Flowers
Roses are the best-known symbol of beauty and love. Most people know that red roses mean "I love you." A dozen roses certainly sends a big message on Valentine's Day!
Did you know that roses in other colors have meaning too?
• Red and white roses together means unity.
• Pink roses mean grace and gentility.
• Yellow roses symbolize joy.
• Orange or coral roses communicate your desire.
• Burgundy roses are a compliment to your sweetheart's unconscious beauty.
• Sweetheart roses are for couples who like nicknames, as they mean darling, dear, or honey.
• A single rose signifies simplicity, a nice statement to make if your pockets are empty.
• White roses means your sweetheart is heavenly.
• White rosebuds warn that you're too young for love.
Other flowers also carry different meanings.
• Red chrysanthemums, tulips, and carnations still say, "I love you."
• A daisy will compliment your valentine's beauty.
• An elegant cala lily celebrates your lover's splendid beauty.
• You can only send a lavender one time in your life because it goes to your first love.
• Gardenia is for the scared or the shy. It expresses secret untold love.
• Violets express your affection.
So what kind of message do you want to send your sweetheart? Be careful to choose the right flower for your valentine!
