One of the most awaited annual festivals, Valentine’s Day celebrates love, admiration, and friendship. The day is celebrated on the 14th of February every year, where people exchange or send messages and gifts to show their love and affection.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually, but have you ever wondered about when it was first celebrated or the history behind it? Was this day always about love and friendship? So, why valentine day is celebrated? Well, we are here to answer all the questions you have.
The History of Valentine’s Day
Not everyone is aware that Valentine’s Day is named after a Catholic Priest named Saint Valentine. Saint Valentine lived during in 3rd century in Rome. Several stories about the priest can be found online, and slowly the stories turned into a legend, which we know today.
During the 3rd century, several Romans took up Christianity. Emperor Claudius II who was a pagan created law about what Christians could do and do not do. He also believed that the Roman soldiers need to be completely devoted to their country and hence passed a strict law that prevented them from marrying a woman from the Christian community. Saint Valentine, a Catholic Priest, helped Roman soldiers marry their love via Christian ceremonies kept a secret.
After a period of time, Emperor Claudius II found that Valentine was getting Roman soldiers married; he was jailed, stating it to a crime. When Valentine was imprisoned, he cared for the other prisoners and the jailor’s daughter, blind. Legend also states that Valentine cured the blindness of the girl, and his final act before being executed was to write a love message to her, with the sign “From your Valentine.” Saint Valentine was executed on the 14th of February.
When was 14th February Proclaimed as Valentine’s Day?
The 14th of February was proclaimed Valentine’s Day after 200 years. This was when Rome completely took up Christianity, and the Catholic Church was working hard to stamp out the paganism that remained. During those days, a fertility ritual was held by the pagan in February every year. The Pope proclaimed February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day after abolishing the fertility ritual. This was considered to be a feast day in the “Catholic Calendar of Saints.”
But, this was not the time when St. Valentine was linked with romantic love. It was way after the proclamation that a well-known poet by the name of Chaucer, from the Middle Aes, linked it to love. This marked the beginning of the tradition, where couples express their admiration and love for one another – most of the time in secret.
The custom of expressing courtly love spread across Europe. It is said that there was a High Court of Love, which had female judges who would rule on the issues that were related to love on the 14th of February every year. Many historians also believed that such meetings were more like gatherings where people recited poetry and played “games of flirtation.”
Slowly, with passing time, Valentine’s Day was celebrated across the world – as a day of love.
Prominent Symbols of Valentine’s Day
It is a well-known fact that people send love messages via special cards on Valentine’s Day. In earlier days, the cards were special as they were handmade and designed individually by the sender. These cards expressed love and affection for the recipient. The cards sent out on this special day mostly include a sentimental verse, a picture related to love or cupid, and also include hearts or flowers and are then trimmed using laces or ribbons. Such images are used to date to symbolize courtly love.
Interesting Facts about Valentine’s Day?
It was considered bad luck during Victorian times if the sender signed on the Valentine’s Day card.
More than 1 billion cards get exchanged this way, making it the 2nd largest season for card-sending after Christmas.
Esther Howland manufactured the first Valentine’s, and she is also known as the “Mother of American Valentine.”
Single people can celebrate SAD- Single Awareness Day, which interestingly is celebrated on 14th February.
In Finland, the day is celebrated as Friend’s Day, where people celebrate friendship.
The phrase “wear your heart of your sleeve” came from Middle Ages, where both men and women used to draw names to see who their valentine was. They then wore the name on their sleeves for a week for people to see.
It was in the year 1537 that King Henry VII officially declared a holiday for Valentine’s Day.
How is Valentine’s Day Celebrated in Contemporary Times?
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in different countries, and each of the countries has its own unique tradition. In some countries, the day is celebrated by expressing love for friends and family. Some traditions in such countries include leaving presents, lollies for kids and so on.
In other countries, Valentine’s Day is celebrated by people who are in love. Millions of cards specially made for this day are exchanged. Some of the common gifts exchanged are flowers, and red roses are sent along with a romantic message. Valentine’s Day gift hampers, too, are popular, and these generally have flowers, chocolates, and a bottle of champagne.
Others would love to spend Valentine’s Day together by unplugging themselves from their busy lives. Couples can relive the amazing bond they share and express how much the other person means to them. Jaisalkot offers special packages this Valentine’s Day, and celebrating the day of love at the luxurious resort will leave an everlasting impact on your better half for sure.
The stunning views of the Thar Desert and the beauty of the surroundings make Jaisalkot the perfect place to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Enjoy the view while you get to cuddle up in luxury in the warmth of your love.
There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than in a dreamy and gorgeous resort, and the arrangements made at Jaisalkot will make you fall in love with each other all over again.