Table of Contents

Valentine's Day

Name

Valentine's Day is also known as Saint Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Feast.1)

February 14

It is a secular and religious festival observed on February 14 each year.2)

Origin

It began as a Western Christian feast day dedicated to one or two early saints called Valentinus.3)

Important

In many parts of the world, Valentine's Day is considered as an important cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love.4)

Stories

Numerous martyrdom stories are related with several Valentines associated with February 14, including a documented narrative of Saint Valentine. He was imprisoned for performing marriages for soldiers who were prohibited to marry and ministering to persecuted Christians under the Roman Empire.5)

Legend

Saint Valentine, tradition has it, restored sight to the blind daughter of his judge. As a goodbye, he wrote her a note addressed to “Your Valentine”.6)

First Time

The 14th century Geoffrey Chaucer's group was the first to identify the day with romantic love.7)

18th Century England

It evolved into an event in 18th-century England where lovers demonstrated their love for one another by offering flowers.8)

Greeting Cards

These flowers were also selling candy and delivering greeting cards. They were referred to as “valentines”.9)

Symbolism

Today's Valentine's Day symbolism include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the image of the winged Cupid.10)

Mass-produced Greeting Cards

Handwritten valentines have given place to mass-produced greeting cards since the nineteenth century.11)

Europe

Saint Valentine's Keys are presented to couples in Europe “as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver's heart”, as well as to children to protect them from epilepsy.12)

Eastern Orthodox Church

On July 6 and July 30, several portions of the Eastern Orthodox Church also observe Saint Valentine's Day.13)

Bishop of Interamna

The former commemorates Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, while the latter commemorates Hieromartyr Valentine. He served as the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni).14)

Forbidden

Due to religious customs, it is prohibited in many Eastern nations.15)

Every year, around 200 million roses are sold. It is one of the most commercially significant holidays.16)