Valentine’s Day | 2024
Valentine’s Day, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated on February 14 of each year. From its original Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, it developed into a significant worldwide celebration of passion and love in many domains of society, including the religious and commercial realms, through following folk practices.
Many martyrdom narratives are linked to different Saint Valentines on February 14, one of which describes Saint Valentine of Rome’s captivity for helping Christians who were being persecuted by the Roman Empire in the third century. An old legend states that Saint Valentine gave his jailer’s blind daughter her sight back.
An 18th-century embellishment to the legend claims that Saint Valentine wrote the jailer’s daughter a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell before his execution; tradition maintains that Saint Valentine performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Roman emperor; numerous later additions to the legend have better connected it to the theme of love;
Table of Contents
History of Valentine’s Day
Although February 14th is popularly observed as Saint Valentine’s Day, nothing is known about the historical person who originated the holiday. This synopsis explores the relevance of the potential identities connected to the day in further detail.
- Valentine of Rome: He was a priest who was martyred in 269, and his relics were dispersed around Dublin and Rome in Europe. He is associated with love because of the legends that surround him surreptitiously marrying couples despite the emperor’s decree.
- Valentine of Terni: A bishop who was martyred in 273, Valentine’s relics are interred at Terni’s Saint Valentine Basilica. Although his narrative is not as well known, it is made more unclear by his association with February 14.
- Third Saint Valentine: Though obscured in early accounts, he was martyred on February 14th in Africa together with some friends. Information concerning his actions and life is still obscure.
Religious Recognition and Modern Celebration:
- Commemorated Saints: February 14th is a saint’s day observed by the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Communion. However, the Catholic Church excluded it from its General Calendar because of its lack of understanding on the particular Saint Valentine.
- Local Celebrations: Although the official date of celebration has changed, some areas, such as Malta’s Balzan and Traditionalist Catholics, continue to mark the feast day on February 14.
- Eastern Orthodox Church: July 6 and July 30 are designated as Saint Valentine’s Days, when the Roman presbyter and the Interamna bishop are both given special honor.
Beyond the Historical Figure:
Even if the exact identity of the real Saint Valentine is unknown, his influence endures in a number of ways:
- Romantic Love: This most common relationship honors the love and affection shared by lovers and is probably influenced by medieval customs and literature, such as Chaucer’s writings.
- Martyrdom and Faith: Regardless of the particulars of their lives, some people continue to emphasize the sacrifices made by the early Christian martyrs going by the name Valentine.
- Cultural Phenomenon: Despite its religious roots, Valentine’s Day has developed into a worldwide occasion for gift-giving, passionate gestures, and sincere demonstrations of affection.
7 Days of Valentine
February 7 is Rose Day.
It is officially known as Rose Day and marks the start of Valentine’s Week. On this day, everyone gives flowers to their loved ones as a way of showing them how much they mean to them. Valentine’s Week is a time when every lover cherishes time beyond all else. They can wish for anything they want in front of their spouse with ease.
February 8 Day of Proposal
Propose Day is the day that follows Rose Day. Every lover hopes for their mate and wants to purchase flowers. if you are a newcomer and have never been in a romantic partnership. Everyone wants boyfriends and girlfriends to keep their spouse from dating anybody, therefore you’re lucky in front of your partner.
February 9 is Chocolate Day.
Savor a chocolate-filled day and present your significant other with a square or bunch of their favorite chocolate flavor.
February 10 is Teddy Day.
Since most girls enjoy teddy bears, you can find out what color your spouse prefers and use that information to buy gifts for her on Valentine’s Day and on Teddy Day itself.
February 11 is Promise Day.
People make lifelong promises to their loved ones on this day that they will grant all of their requests and remain by their side forever.
February 12 is Hug Day.
This day clearly says it all! Give your nearest and dearest your warmest embraces. Hugs are a good method to ensure that people remember you for a while.
February 13 is Kiss Day.
February 13th is Kiss Day—a great day to apply makeup and plant a kiss. Planting a kiss on your partner’s forehead symbolizes accountability and concern.
Love Day is on February 14th.
Finally, February 14th is the big day, when you can use any form of creative expression to show that you care about and are responsible for other people.
FAQ’s
What is the real meaning of Valentine’s day?
The February 14 Feast of Saint Valentine was celebrated, according to the 8th-century Gelasian Sacramentary. In the 14th and 15th centuries, romantic love was linked to this day while ideas of courtly love were at their height, presumably because of its relationship with the “lovebirds” of early spring.
Is Valentine’s Day a holiday?
Valentine’s Day is no longer an official Catholic holiday, and regrettably for all the lovers out there, it’s not an official bank holiday either (though you can always take the day off for a special day with your significant other!). Despite this, many people celebrate Valentine’s Day in all kinds of different ways.
When is Valentine’s Day?
Just to refresh your memory, February 14 is always Valentine’s Day. Wednesday, February 14, 2024, will be Valentine’s Day. (But wait till it happens on a Friday in 2025!)
Pope Gelasius proclaimed February 14th to be St. Valentine’s Day at the end of the 5th century, and ever since, people have celebrated the day, however it was typically more religious than romantic.
What are the 7 days to Valentines?
Rose Day (February 7), Propose Day (February 8), Chocolate Day (February 9), Teddy Day (February 10), Promise Day (February 11), Hug Day (February 12), and Kiss Day (February 13). These are the seven days of love.
What is Valentine’s Day?
On Valentine’s Day, lovers show their adoration by sending one other cards and presents. Another name for it is St. Valentine’s Day. The purpose of the holiday has broadened to include showing love between friends and family.
Where is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
Valentine’s Day is widely observed in several nations, including Argentina, France, Mexico, South Korea, and the United States. It is also popular in Britain, Canada, and Australia. It is the most popular anniversary for weddings in the Philippines.
Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14th?
Early Christians, for the most part, chose to celebrate holidays on days that were in line with already-established festivals and celebrations (such as Christmas and the winter solstice). Accordingly, Valentine’s Day was observed on February 14th, and Lupercalia on February 15th.
How is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
Valentine’s Day is typically marked by the exchange of handcrafted or commercially available “Valentines,” or greeting cards, as well as other expressions of affection such as flowers and chocolates. It’s become common practice for young pupils to bring in Valentines to exchange with peers in many schools. Observance customs for the holiday can differ depending on the nation.
Why valentines day celebrated?
The holiday known as Valentine’s Day is named for Saint Valentine, a third-century Catholic priest who resided in Rome. Numerous legends have been told about St. Valentine, and these tales have combined to form the narrative that we know today.
What is Galentine’s Day, and how is it related to Valentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day is a relatively new addition to Valentine’s Day history, offering a contemporary (and entertaining!) twist on the holiday. Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler on Parks and Recreation, appears to have popularized it. It’s a day to honor your beloved pals. It falls on February 13th, which gives you plenty of time to celebrate with your significant other on the official Valentine’s Day the next day. Presents for Galentine’s Day have evolved into a charming way to honor the individuals in your life.
How did Valentine’s Day start?
Valentine’s Day is a set day on the calendar that was once confused with Lupercalia, an ancient Roman celebration observed in mid-February. Some historians think this is how the event came to symbolize love. Lupercalia was a fertility celebration that might have involved pairing men and women by drawing names out of a jar. The marriage of the god Zeus and the goddess Hera was celebrated in the middle of winter in ancient Greece.
Should we celebrate Valentine’s day?
Ultimately, Valentine’s Day is merely a holiday, and regardless of a person’s relationship status, they shouldn’t feel forced or required to celebrate it. Giving chocolate and presents to someone is a wonderful way to show someone you care, but it’s by no means the only way.
What happened on the 14 February?
Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre: Seven persons are killed in Chicago, six of them are mob rivals of Al Capone’s crew. German battleship Bismarck is launched in 1939, during World War II. Singapore falls as a result of the Battle of Pasir Panjang in 1942, a turning point in World War II.
Who is Valentine’s day named after?
The term of our contemporary love may perhaps have originated with the Romans of antiquity. On February 14 of many distinct years in the third century, Emperor Claudius II put to death two individuals, both named Valentine. The Catholic Church celebrated St. Valentine’s Day in remembrance of their martyrdom.
Can Valentine be a name?
Valentine is a given name that can be used for either gender as well as a surname. It comes from the Roman family name Valentinus, which itself was derived from the Latin word valens, which meaning “healthy and strong.”
What is celebrated before Valentine’s Day?
The seven days of love that come before Valentine’s Day are Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day, and Kiss Day. Valentine’s Week is a significant week every day, and lovers utilize the name of the day to organize romantic gestures and gifts for their significant others.
How many love days in a year?
Complete List for Valentine’s Week Valentine’s Day is on February 14 in 2023. Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day, and Kiss Day are the first days of the festivities one week prior. Inside, discover the meaning behind these seven days of love.
Who created Valentine’s day Why?
Chaucer, as reported by the Times, was the first to associate love with St. Valentine in his 14th-century writings, “The Parliament of Fowls” and “The Complaint of Mars,” according to Oruch, an English professor at the University of Kansas. Oruch therefore asserted that Chaucer created Valentine’s Day in its current form.
Which day is breakup day?
Breakup Day falls on the final day of Anti-Valentine’s Week, exactly one week after Valentine’s Day. Breakup Day is marked on February 21st of each year.
Is Valentine a lovers 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.
Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Chaucer lived in the Middle Ages, the height of courtly love, when love was expressed in poetry, music, paintings, and other wide, romantic declarations that honored a partnership. Poetry and songs of the time began to employ the term “valentine” to refer to a lover by the end of the fifteenth century, and in England, a book titled The Young Man’s Valentine Writer was produced in the eighteenth century. Valentine’s Day as we know it began in the middle of the 1800s when mass-produced paper Valentine’s cards began to be made (but homemade card ideas are still worthwhile to try).
The sad fact about Valentine’s Day history is that tragedies do occur on this beautiful holiday. On February 14, 1929, seven men were murdered in Chicago during Prohibition by a gang commanded by Al Capone. A turning moment in the history of Prohibition was the Valentine’s Day Massacre, when politicians and law enforcement pursued the gangs and mobs that had developed in cities to control goods that were officially forbidden, such as alcohol.
Who Is Cupid?
Valentine’s Day cards frequently feature a nude cherub named Cupid shooting love arrows to gullible couples. However, the Greek deity of love, Eros, is the ancestor of the Roman god Cupid. There are differing stories about his birth: some claim he is the son of Nyx and Erebus, others of Aphrodite and Ares, and yet others that he is the son of Zeus and Aphrodite (who would have been his grandpa and father).
The Greek Archaic poets described Eros as a beautiful immortal who played with the emotions of mankind and gods, sowing aversion with leaden arrows and inciting love with golden ones. He wasn’t depicted as the naughty, overweight child he’d grown into on Valentine’s Day cards until the Hellenistic era.
Valentine’s Day fun facts
Want to win the Valentine’s Day trivia competition at the neighborhood bar or just wow your friends and family with your extensive Valentine’s Day knowledge? Enjoy these interesting facts about Valentine’s Day:
- The average person who gives Valentine’s Day gifts spends close to $200 on candy and gifts, for a total of almost $26 billion.1.
- While most Valentine’s Day cards are sentimental, Victorians would occasionally use them as a means of rejecting a suitor—a tactic known as a vinegar valentine.
- Almost two-thirds of the more than 250 million roses produced for Valentine’s Day are red roses.
- One of the most common days to pop the question is Valentine’s Day. (In actuality, you’re in the window when the majority of proposals occur if you become engaged between December and February.)
- In the 14th and 15th centuries, crimson and the heart form first appeared in medieval art.
- You’re not the only one who doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day much. According to a YouGov survey, only 30% of Americans considered it to be a truly unique event; most people choose other holidays, like as Halloween, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and New Year’s Eve, over the day of love.
What are some fun things to do for Valentine’s Day?
- Arrange a wonderful dinner.
- Take in a romantic film (at home or in a theater).
- Prepare a delicious, romantic dinner at home (or just a delicious dessert on Valentine’s Day).
- Throw a party on Valentine’s Day.
- Make enjoyable Valentine’s Day crafts with your loved ones.
- Snuggle up with a hot romance book.
- Compose a love letter to your partner, remembering to add a few quotes about love!
- Choose some extremely attractive candlelight (using a handful of our most beloved romantic candles).
- Treat yourself to a soothing bath (or two!)
Typical Valentine’s Day Cards and Presents
Valentine’s Day is observed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. Valentine’s Day became widely observed in Great Britain in the 17th century.
Small gifts of affection or handwritten notes were frequently sent by friends and lovers of all social groups by the middle of the 18th century, and thanks to advancements in printing technology, printed cards started to supplant written letters by 1900. During a period when it was frowned upon to express one’s feelings directly, pre-made cards provided people with a simple means of doing so. The practice of mailing Valentine’s Day messages has become more widespread due to lower postage costs.
Handcrafted Valentines were most likely first exchanged by Americans in the early 1700s. Esther A. Howland started selling the nation’s first mass-produced valentines in the 1840s. Known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” Howland created intricate pieces using ribbons, actual lace, and vibrant images that were referred to as “scrap.” Valentine’s Day is now the second-biggest card-sending occasion of the year, behind Christmas, with an estimated 145 million cards sent annually, according to Hallmark.
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