Every year, Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romance on February 14th. It is celebrated by spending time with significant others and giving them traditional gifts like flowers, cards, and chocolate. Valentine’s Day is a worldwide celebration, but few people know how these traditions came about and who St. Valentine really was.
The tradition of flowers being given on Valentine’s Day originates from when Victorians delivered a message to love interests using floral bouquets in the 19th century. Roses are the most common to be given since different colored roses represent different kinds of love, such as romantic or platonic. It is also said that the rose is the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Another common gift on Valentine’s Day is the classic card. The tradition of sending cards began in 1415, when a duke, imprisoned in a tower, sent a poem to his wife for Valentine’s Day. By the 19th century, when the average person was able to send cards through the mail, it became the most common way to show affection. Another standard Valentine’s gift is a box of chocolates. The tradition of giving chocolate to loved ones on Valentine’s Day originated from Spanish explorers who brought chocolate back to the old world in the 17th century, where it gained popularity in Europe.
Many years ago, there was a decree issued in Rome that forbade marriage in order to have more men for the troops. According to the Emperor Claudius, single men supposedly made better soldiers than married men. Valentine of Rome urged young lovers to come to him so he could join them in the sacrament of matrimony in secret. Emperor Claudius, who issued the decree, found out what Valentine was doing and he was arrested. The website Catholic Culture states, “Because he was so impressed with the young priest, Claudius attempted to convert him to Roman paganism rather than execute him. However, Valentine held steadfast and in turn attempted to convert Claudius to Christianity, at which point the Emperor condemned him to death.” While in prison, Valentine formed a friendship with the jailer and his daughter while they were tending to him. He was able to convert both the jailer and the daughter to Christianity. The night before he was to be executed, Valentine wrote and sent an affectionate letter to the jailer’s daughter and signed it “From your Valentine.” He was beheaded and died a martyr for his faith on February 14th, 273 AD in Rome.
From the history of it, Valentine’s Day may seem like a bitter holiday, but it is one of the most joyous. St. Valentine showed his affection in such a powerful way, that it still resonates with people today. People mirror his passion by demonstrating it to their loved ones.
