Valentine's Day is thought to have been named in honour of Saint Valentine, a third-century Roman Catholic priest who died on February 14 in 269 AD
The feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated annually on February 14 in honour of the early Christian martyr Valentine. He was a priest and physician who served during the 3rd century in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. When the emperor outlawed marriage for young soldiers, Valentine went against this injustice being done to young men and started performing secret marriages for young lovers, so husbands wouldn't have to go to war.
Valentine was imprisoned and interrogated by the emperor in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and discussed with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed on February 14 AD 269. The other tale suggests that the Saint may have been killed while succouring persecuted Christians escape torture in Roman prisons.
St Valentine became so popular that couples all across the world started celebrating Valentine’s Day as the day of love. The day is an opportunity to confess love to that one special person in your life and shower them with affection, which usually means showering them with gifts or planning to take them on the perfect date. Gradually, folk traditions have become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love.
In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius marked February 14 as a celebration in honour of his martyrdom. Because so little is known about St Valentine, the Catholic Church withdrew him from the General Roman Calendar in 1969. Nevertheless, the church still regards him as a saint and includes him in the Roman Martyrology on February 14. St Valentine is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, lovers, travellers and young people. He is shown in pictures with birds and roses.
This day isn’t all about flowers and chocolates around the world but more about love. The Charter of the Court of Love is the first literary reference to February 14 as an annual celebration of love. The charter, which was supposedly granted by Charles VI of France in Mantes-la-Jolie in 1400, describes lavish celebrations that various members of the royal court were expected to attend. These celebrations included a feast, competitions for love songs and poetry, jousting, and dancing. During these celebrations, the ladies present would hear and resolve disagreements between lovers.
Different countries celebrate it in their way. In most Latin American countries, for example, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the US territory of Puerto Rico, Saint Valentine's Day is known as 'Day of Lovers' or 'Day of Love and Friendship'. It is also common to see people perform acts of appreciation for their friends. In the US, there are around 190 million Valentine's Day cards delivered each year, without considering the hundreds of millions of cards exchanged by schoolchildren.
It took until about 1992 for Valentine's Day celebrations to take off in India. In addition to an economic liberalisation that allowed the valentine card industry to expand, thanks to programmes on commercial TV channels, specialty radio shows, and love letter competitions. Right-wing nationalists had issued warnings to couples not to embrace or kiss in public areas for fear of being attacked by activists for "vulgar displays of affection in public spaces." Despite this celebration of love goes on unabated.
In Japan, stores sell heart-shaped chocolates which the women offer to their loved ones to express ‘kokuhaku’ (the act of confessing feelings). Females gift Giri-choco to male friends, bosses, family members, or work colleagues as a debt of gratitude. Honmei-choco, the hand-made sweet treats are offered to the boyfriend, husband, or lover. Tomo-choco is shared between female friends and enjoyed away from the men. Romantic couples in South Korea celebrate the day of love on the 14th of each month. The day of roses is celebrated in May, the day of kisses is celebrated in June, the day of hugs in December and single people celebrate black day in April by eating black noodles.
In the Philippines, many young couples marry in an event sponsored by the government as a form of public service. In Ghana, February 14 is celebrated as National Chocolate Day. One can attend performances, music events, and restaurants that have themed menus for the special day. On February 14, San Trifon Zartan, or ‘day of winemakers’ is celebrated in Bulgaria wherein young and old couples celebrate their love with a glass of local wine. The day in Denmark encompasses more than just roses and chocolates. Handmade cards with pressed snowdrop-shaped white flowers are exchanged by lovers and friends.
Friendship Day, or Sobrapaev, is observed in Estonia. Couples, single people, families, and friends gather to celebrate the holiday with presents and romantic celebrations akin to those in Italy. In Brazil, Dia dos Namorados, or Lover's Day is observed with the exchanging of chocolates, cards, and flowers. Festivals of music, dancing performances, and family dinners are all part of the celebration. In England, there is a tradition. Ladies used to put five bay leaves on their pillows on Valentine's Day to dream about their future husbands. Australians choose to give a gift, go on a date or embark on a romantic adventure – or all three!
Finland and Estonia celebrate Friend’s Day on February 14, a day for honouring friends and neighbours with cards and gifts. It is also a popular day to get engaged in both countries. Singles in Estonia can take a ride on the Love Bus in hopes of meeting someone special.
