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February 14, 2024
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine (https://www.ctsbooks.org/real-story-saint-valentine/)
The Origin of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance and love. Although the exact origin of the holiday is still unknown, it is believed that it started as a dark and bloody event in ancient Rome.
From February 13 to 15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. The men sacrificed a goat and a dog, then whipped women with the hides of the animals they had just slain. Young women would line up for the men to hit them because they believed this would make them fertile.
Valentine is likely based on a combination of two Valentines who were executed on February 14 in different years by Roman Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century. Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.
Pope Gelasius I muddled things in the fifth century by combining St. Valentine's Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals. But the festival was more of a theatrical interpretation of what it had once been. Noel Lenski, a religious studies professor at Yale University, said "It was a little more of a drunken revel, but the Christians put clothes back on it. That didn't stop it from being a day of fertility and love."
Around the same time, the Normans celebrated Galatin's Day. Galatin meant "lover of women". That was likely confused with St. Valentine's Day at some point, in part because they sound a like.
At the years went on, the holiday grew sweeter. Chaucer and Shakespeare romanticized it in their work, and it gained popularity throughout Britain and the rest of Europe. Handmade paper cards became the tokens du jour in the Middle Ages.
Eventually, the tradition made its way to the New World. The Industrial Revolution ushered in factory-made cards in the 199th century. In 1913, Hallmark Cards of Kansas City, MO, began mass-producing valentines.
Reference: NPR Valentine's Day
How we celebrate Valentine's Day around the world
United States
Americans celebrate Valentine's Day each year on February 14 by sending cards or letters, giving gifts such as chocolate or flowers, and having meals in restaurants.
Argentina - For a Week of Sweetness
Argentinians do not celebrate Valentine's Day in February but celebrate "the week of sweetness" in July. It's the day when lovers exchange kisses and receive chocolates and other sweets.
France - Epicentre of Romance
It is believed that the first-ever Valentine's Day card was originated in France, when Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from the prison in 1415. And the French village called "Valentine" turns into the epicenter of romance between 12th and 14th February. One can see the beautiful yards, trees, and homes decorated with love cards, roses, and proposals for marriage flakes.
South Korea - For a unique set of experience
The romantic couples in South Korea celebrate the day of love on the 14th of each month! May 14 is "the day of roses", and June 14 is "the day of kisses. December is "the day of hugs". In April, single people celebrate "the black day" by eating black noodles.
Philippines - A Gala Event
In the Philippines, Valentine's Day is the time when many young couples marry in an event sponsored by the government as a form of public service.
Ghana - National Chocolate Day
In Ghana, February 14 is celebrated as the "National Chocolate Day". It is a step that the Ghana government took in 2007 to increase tourism in the country. Ghana is among the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. On February 14, once can attend performances, music events, and restaurants that have themed menus for the special day.
Bulgaria - Day of Winemakers
On February 14, San Trifon Zartan is celebrated in Bulgaria, which means "day of winemakers". Young and old couples celebrate their love with a glass of wonderful local wine.
Wales - Day of San Dwynwen
The Wales celebrate its day of love on January 25, which is called the "Day of San Dwynwen". On the day, lovers exchange unique and beautifully handcrafted wooden spoons to each other. This tradition is being practiced since the 16th century.
Spain - Feast of Saint Dionysus
The day of love in Valencia of Spain falls on 9th of October This is known as the feast of Saint Dionysus. The festival is celebrated in most of the parts of Spain by making "macadora", a marzipan figure. The figurines are made by men to gift to their female companions. Once can also witness colorful parades on the streets of the villages of Spain.
South West China - Sisters' Meal Festival
In Miao, Southwest China, the "Sisters' Meal" festival is celebrated on March 15. During the festival, women wear silver accessories and beautiful dresses. They cook various dishes of colored rice that' is offered on silk fabric to young men walking on roads. The destiny of the lovelies inside of the object found in the chosen rice. Two chopsticks mean love and a clove of garlic means the love is over before it has even begun.
China
Valentine's Day in China is not traditionally celebrated on February 14, but as part of the Qixi Festival, which celebrates the legend of the weaver girl and cow herder. The festival happens on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month on the Chinese calendar, which normally falls in August. In the past, women would typically handcraft a gift for their sweetheart, although nowadays the festival is celebrated in a similar way to Valentine's Day in the West, with flowers and chocolate.
Denmark - a Celebration of Love
Although Valentine's Day is one of the new Denmark festivals, the country also celebrates the day of love and romance on February 14 with a twist. In Denmark, Valentine's Day is not limited to roses and chocolates. Friends and lovers exhange handmade cards with pressed white flowers that are colled snowdrops.
Romania - an Unusual Celebration
The romantic and unusual celebration of Valentine's day is celebrated on February 24 as the day when young couples get engaged. It is basically a mix of Valentine's Day and the celebration of spring season. Young men and women go to the forests to pick colorful flowers, while other couples wash their faces with snow as a sign of good luck.
Estonia - a Festival for Everyone
On February 14, Estonia celebrates friendship day known as Sobrapaev. This amazing festival includes everyone, from couples to singles. So not just couples, but family members and friends also exchange gifts and celebrate love.
Japan - Exchange of Unique Gifts
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14, and women buy gifts and chocolates for their male companions or loves. Men can't return gifts until March, which is called the "white day".
Czech Republic - Celebrate Romance
In the Czech Republic, Valentine's Day has gradually become quite popular among young people. The festival is celebrated on May 1. On the day, young couples go on a pilgrimage to the statue of the poet Karol Hynek Macha, and kiss under the cherry trees for good luck.
Brazil - Lovers Day
The "Dia dos Namorados" festival, which is known as "Lovers Day", is celebrated in Brazil. There is a usual exchange of chocolates, cards, flowers, and one can witness music festivals and dance performances. Gifting is not reserved for couples during the festival, family dinners are common on the day.
England - Festival of Romantic Love
On Valentine's day in England, women used to place five bay leaves on their pillows. This was done with an aim to bring dreams of their future husbands. In Norfolk, Jack Valentine acts as a Santa for Valentine's day. Children anxiously wait for the Santa, though they don't get to see Old Father Valentine.
Italy - Popular Day for Couples
Originally, Italians celebrated Valentine's day as their spring festival. Another Italian Valentine's Day tradition was for young, unmarried couples to wake up before dawn to spot their future husband. Today, Italians celebrate by exchanging figts between loves and romantic dinners.
Slovenia - Show Your Affection
In Slovenia, St. Valentine is one of the patron saints of spring. It is believed that on February 14, plants start to regenerate as this day marks the first day of working in the fields for the New Year. There is another popular belif that birts 'propose' to each other on this day. In order to witness this occasion, one must walk barefoot through fields that are often still frozen.
South Africa
On February 14, young people in South Africa make a bold declaration of love by pinning the name of their sweethearts on their sleeves. The tradition is believed to stem from the ancient festival of Lupercalia festival, which would see men wear the name of their Valentine in similar fashion.
Guatemala
In Guatemala, where Valentine's Day is known as El Día del Cariño (the Day of Affection), the focus isn't just on romance, but also love for family, friends, and colleagues. A colorful Old Love Parade, which features the country's senior citizens, take place annually in Guatemala City as part of the celebrations.
References: Written by Sukanya Sen and Emily Chan (Vogue Australia)
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