“Valentine’s day” “Día de San valentín”

“Valentine’s day”

“Día de San valentín”

“Día del amor y la amistad”

“Día del cariño”,  “Valentinsdag”

“Alla hjärtans dag”

“Dia dos namorados”

“Araw ng mga puso"

We have a day celebrated around a large swathe of the world, a day when we celebrate love and friendship. But how did it originate and how relevant is it to love?

Its origin is said to come from the Christian celebration of “Saint Valentinus”. It is mainly celebrated on February the 14th.  ( although not exclusively).

It was originally a commemorative or feast day. There is no certainty as to who exactly “St Valentine” was and it is reported that early church records show there were many St Valentines. Popular mythology is that Valentinus was an early Roman priest who carried out ministries to Christian soldiers, performing weddings forbidden under the Roman Empire. He caused the wrath of the Emperor and he was imprisoned and executed. It is believed during his imprisonment that he cured the jailor’s daughter of blindness. Most is legend although it is reported that two St Valentinus’ were buried on the Via Flaminia in Rome. 

So where do our modern traditions come from? The popular slogans on today’s cards such as “Be my Valentine” are rumoured to come from the story that before his death St Valentinus signed a letter to the jailer’s daughter “Your Valentinus”. He is also reputed to have given the soldiers he married paper hearts to remind them of God’s love and their vows.  The giving of flowers may well have originated from the story that the jailer’s daughter, once cured, planted a pink blossoming almond tree in honour of Valentinus. 

It is said that it wasn’t until later, in the Middle Ages, when the tradition of a romantic celebration started.  Courtiers used Valentine’s Day to declare their love to others.  It was in the 18th century in England the traditions of giving cards and gifts emerged. In the mid 19th century companies in America started the mass production of cards and the trend swept around many parts of the world.  

It could now be seen cynically as a largely commercial affair. It is reported that in 2010, in the US alone, over 1 Billion cards were sent annually. In some Nordic countries the flower industry brought back the celebration to boost the sales of cut flowers! In Japan it started as a chocolate industry campaign which has since resulted in a complicated and often value laden system of chocolate giving and tends to be more of an obligation! 

However, I personally I can’t really complain about a day that reminds me of the gift of love and gives me the opportunity to express it to those I love and I’m never going to turn away chocolates or flowers!