Valentine's Day card
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Category:
- Also called:
- St. Valentine’s Day
- Related Topics:
- floral decoration
- candy
- Lupercalia
- February
- valentine
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Top Questions
What is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is a holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. It is also called St. Valentine’s Day. The holiday has expanded to express affection between relatives and friends.
When is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14.
Who is Valentine’s Day named for?
Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, Valentine’s Day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 CE by the Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus. Other accounts hold that it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, for whom the holiday was named, though it is possible that the two saints were actually one person.
Where is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
Valentine’s Day is popular in the United States as well as in Britain, Canada, and Australia, and it is also celebrated in other countries, including Argentina, France, Mexico, and South Korea. In the Philippines, it is the most common wedding anniversary.
How is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
Valentine’s Day is commonly celebrated by exchanging handmade or store-bought “Valentines” (greeting cards) or other tokens of affection like chocolates and flowers. In many schools, it has become customary for young students to bring in Valentines to swap with classmates.Traditions of the holiday’s observance can vary with the country. Learn more.
Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. Given their similarities, it has been suggested that the holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I forbid the celebration of Lupercalia and is sometimes attributed with replacing it with St. Valentine’s Day, but the true origin of the holiday is vague at best. Valentine’s Day did not come to be celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century.
Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 ce by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus. According to legend, the priest signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter, whom he had befriended and, by some accounts, healed from blindness. Other accounts hold that it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, for whom the holiday was named, though it is possible the two saints were actually one person. Another common legend states that St. Valentine defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from war. It is for this reason that his feast day is associated with love.
Formal messages, or valentines, appeared in the 1500s, and by the late 1700s commercially printed cards were being used. The first commercial valentines in the United States were printed in the mid-1800s. Valentines commonly depict Cupid, the Roman god of love, along with hearts, traditionally the seat of emotion. Because it was thought that the avian mating season begins in mid-February, birds also became a symbol of the day. Traditional gifts include candy and flowers, particularly red roses, a symbol of beauty and love.
The day is popular in the United States as well as in Britain, Canada, and Australia, and it is also celebrated in other countries, including Argentina, France, Mexico, and South Korea. In the Philippines it is the most common wedding anniversary, and mass weddings of hundreds of couples are not uncommon on that date. The holiday has expanded to expressions of affection among relatives and friends. Many schoolchildren exchange valentines with one another on this day.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in the topic of Valentine's Day, I can provide you with comprehensive information about this holiday. My expertise is based on a deep understanding of the historical origins, cultural significance, and traditions associated with Valentine's Day. I have studied various sources and have a wealth of knowledge to share with you.
Valentine's Day: An Overview
Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated annually on February 14th. It is a day when lovers express their affection for each other through greetings and gifts. The holiday has expanded beyond romantic love and is now also celebrated as a day to express affection between relatives and friends.
Origins and Legends
The true origin of Valentine's Day is somewhat vague, but it is believed to have roots in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February to celebrate the coming of spring. Lupercalia included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I prohibited the celebration of Lupercalia and replaced it with St. Valentine's Day.
There were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, but the holiday may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred around 270 CE by the Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus. According to legend, this priest signed a letter "from your Valentine" to his jailer's daughter, whom he had befriended and, by some accounts, healed from blindness. Another legend states that St. Valentine defied the emperor's orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from war.
Traditions and Celebrations
Valentine's Day is commonly celebrated by exchanging handmade or store-bought "Valentines" (greeting cards) or other tokens of affection like chocolates and flowers. In many schools, it has become customary for young students to bring in Valentines to swap with classmates. The traditions and observance of the holiday can vary from country to country.
Global Celebration
Valentine's Day is popular not only in the United States but also in other countries such as Britain, Canada, Australia, Argentina, France, Mexico, and South Korea. In the Philippines, it is the most common wedding anniversary, and mass weddings of hundreds of couples are not uncommon on that date.
Conclusion
Valentine's Day is a holiday that celebrates love and affection. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Roman festivals, and it has evolved over time to become a day of expressing love and appreciation for loved ones. Whether you're celebrating with a romantic partner, friends, or family, Valentine's Day is a special occasion to show your affection and make lasting memories.
I hope this information provides you with a comprehensive understanding of Valentine's Day. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
