6 Fun Facts About Valentine’s Day

February has long been celebrated as the month of romance. Most countries around the globe celebrate Valentine’s Day every year on February 14. It’s a time to honour your sweetheart. 

Who was Saint Valentine?

Who is this mysterious Saint Valentine and where does this tradition come from? Until I started doing some research, I didn’t know there were so many myths surrounding the exact origin of Valentine’s Day. One common legend states that St. Valentine, in the name of love, defied the Roman Emperor’s orders and continued to perform marriage ceremonies in secret. At the time the empire was at war and the Emperor had suspended marriage ceremonies as it was felt that single men made better soldiers. When these marriages came to light, St. Valentine was beheaded and became a martyr. It is for this reason that this day is associated with love.

Valentine’s Cards

Every year a billion Valentine’s cards are exchanged, second only to Christmas. The oldest known Valentine was sent from the Tower of London by a captured war prisoner to his wife.

People initially sent homemade cards and eventually commercially made card became popular. Years ago, woman would sometimes send greetings that were meant to discourage unwanted suitors. They were called vinegar Valentine’s or penny dreadfuls.

Flowers

What is the most popular Valentine’s flower? It was the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess. The red rose, of course, as it represents strong romantic feelings.

Chocolates

In the 19th century, Richard Cadbury, of the famous British chocolate manufacturing family, added chocolates specifically designed for Valentine’s Day to his product line. His idea obviously was a good one as gifting chocolates on Valentine’s is still a popular practice. His company produced the first heart shaped box of Valentine’s chocolates. 

Conversation Hearts

In the mid 1800s a Boston pharmacist wanted to make lozenges and invented a machine that could mass produce them. Eventually, this became the first candy making machine as he abandoned the lozenges business and went into making candy. Inspired by Valentine’s cards he eventually made the heart shaped candies with printed messages on them known as conversation hearts that we all had as kids. 

Sealed With a Kiss

Do you know how the use of the letter X came to symbolize a kiss? In mediaeval times many people couldn’t write their names. The letter X was used to sign off on documents. After marking with X, the writer would kiss the mark as a sign of their oath. Thus, the term sealed with a kiss. At one time it was even considered unlucky to sign your name to a Valentine card, so they wrote From Your Valentine on it instead of their name.  

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Do you give or receive cards, flowers, chocolates or candy? 

Happy Valentine’s Day

From Your Valentine

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LINKS ⬇️

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Thank you for reading!