VALENTINES DAY

Saint Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day is a special day celebrated on February 14 each year by many people throughout the world. In the English-speaking countries, it is the day on which lovers traditionally express their love by sending each other Valentine's cards, or by offering confectionery or flowers. The day is named after two of the many Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with celebrating romantic love in the circle of the author Geoffrey Chaucer during the Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
Valentine's Day is closely associated with the exchange of love notes in the design of "valentines". Modern Valentine symbols include the figure of the winged Cupid, doves, and the heart-shaped outline.

Handwritten notes have given way since the 19th century to mass-produced, printed greeting cards. The sending of Valentines Cards thereby became an established fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain.

Esther Howland (Worcester, Massachusetts), in 1847, developed a business from her home with hand-made Valentine cards which were copies of British cards.

This popularity of Valentine cards in America during the 19th century was a forerunner of the coming commercialisation of United States' holidays. This is because many Valentine cards are now purchased and sent as general greeting cards rather than declarations of love. In fact, it is considered to be one of the Hallmark holidays …

["Hallmark holiday" is a derogatory term, used mostly in the United States, to describe a festival that is thought to exist primarily for commercial purposes. That is, as opposed to commemorating a significant traditional, secular, or religious event. The name comes from Hallmark Cards , a privately owned American commercial enterprise based in Kansas City, Missouri, that profits from such contrived events by selling greeting cards. The company denies having any active role in the creation of the days that bear this disparaging moniker. Holidays that have been labelled as "Hallmark Holidays" include Valentine's Day, Fathers' Day and Mother's Day.]

SAINT VALENTINE

Many early Christian martyrs had the name Valentine. The Valentines honoured on February 14 are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni .

Valentine of Terni was bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and it was written that he was killed during the persecution of Emperor Aurelian. He is buried on the Via Flaminia,. His relics are to be seen at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).

Valentine of Rome was a priest of Ancient Rome who suffered martyrdom around AD 269 and also was subsequently buried on the Via Flaminia but in a different location than Valentine of Terni. Relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome and also in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

The Catholic Encyclopaedia also lists a third saint named St. Valentine who was mentioned in earlier martyrologies under the date of February 14. He was apparently martyred in Africa along with a number of companions, but nothing more is known.

The original early medieval biographies of these martyrs contain no romantic elements. Saint Valentine became linked to romance only in the fourteenth century; by which time distinctions between Valentine of Terni and Valentine of Rome were completely lost. The Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints was revised in1969, and the February 14 feastday of Saint Valentine was removed from the General Roman Calendar. It was relegated to particular national or even local calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14."

St Valentine's Day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint can be found. And throughout the world, Traditionalist Catholics follow the older, pre-Vatican II calendar.

The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were excerpted by The Venerable Bede in England and briefly expounded in Legenda Aurea. ( The Golden Legend or Legenda Sanctorum is a collection of fanciful study of saints that became a late medieval bestseller compiled around the year 1260.)

According to that publication, St Valentine was a persecuted Christian who was interrogated in person by Roman Emperor Claudius II. The Emperor had a discussion with Valentine and was impressed by him. Claudius attempted to get Valentine to convert to paganism to save his life. Valentine refused and then tried to convert The Emperor to Christianity instead! He was executed because of this. He is reported to have performed a miracle before his execution, by healing his jailer's blind daughter.

The Legenda Aurea providing no origins for sentimental love, appropriate lore has been invented in modern times. This depicts Valentine as a priest who refused a law allegedly decreeing that young men remain single. Claudius supposedly did this to expand his army, protesting that married men would not make good soldiers.

The priest Valentine, however, allegedly performed secret marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. In an embellishment to The Golden Legend, on the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he sent the first "valentine" himself. This was sent to a young girl who was the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed, or who was his beloved. The note apparently read "From your Valentine.". However, this legend is believed to have been provided to History.com by American Greetings, Inc. and widely repeated…

THE HISTORY OF VALENTINES DAY CELEBRATION

Modern historians try to link Greco-Roman holidays in February that are supposedly devoted to fertility and love to St Valentine's Day, Professor Jack Oruch of the University of Kansas argues that before Chaucer, there were no links between romantic love and the Saints named Valentinus. The period between mid-January and mid-February in the ancient Athenian calendar was the month of Gamelion, which was dedicated to the sacred marriage of Hera and Zeus.

Lupercalia, observed February 13th - 15th in Ancient Rome, was an ancient rite promoting fertility. But Lupercalia was a local festival only in the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "the chaste Juno" or "Juno the purifier" was celebrated on February 13 th –14th. Lupercalia was abolished by Pope Gelasius I (492-496).

It is a generally held opinion that the Christian church decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to Christianise celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia. Also, that a commemorative feast was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I, for those "... whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God," Amongst these was Valentine.

Alternatively, William M. Green argues that the Catholic Church was not able to abolish the popular Lupercalia festival. But the day set aside was to honour the Virgin Mary.

VALENTINES DAY AND CHAUCER'S LOVEBIRDS

Some say the first association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Geoffrey Chaucer's ‘Parlement of Foules' (1382). However, this may be a misinterpretation, for Chaucer wrote:

“ For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make .”

Chaucer's poem was written in celebration of the first anniversary of the engagement of Anne of Bohemia to King Richard II of England. A treaty allowing for their marriage was signed on May 2, 1381. (When they were married eight months later, she was 14 and he was just 13 or 14!)

There has been an assumption that Chaucer was referring to February 14 as Valentine's Day. However, mid-February in England is not a time for birds to be mating. Henry Ansgar Kelly has suggested that in the liturgical calendar, May 2 is the saints' day for Valentine of Genoa. This St. Valentine was a bishop of Genoa who died around AD 307, but not one of those mentioned earlier as thought to be connected with the feast days of Ancient Rome.

Chaucer's ‘Parliament of Foules' is written as fiction based on an old tradition, but there was actually no such tradition before Chaucer. Explanation of sentimental customs by depicting them as historical fact has its origin with 18th century historians, notably Alban Butler, the author of ‘Butler's Lives of Saints'. Sadly, these myths have been perpetuated by respectable modern scholars. Hence " the idea that Valentine's Day customs perpetuated those of the Roman Lupercalia has been accepted uncritically and repeated, in various forms, up to the present ".

VALENTINES DAY IN THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD AND ENGLISH RENAISSANCE

A "High Court of Love" was established on Valentine's Day in 1400 in Paris! Using the rituals of the law courts for language the of courtly love, This court dealt with betrayals, love contracts, and violence against women. Judges were selected on the basis of a poetry reading - by women. The earliest surviving valentine is supposedly written by Charles, Duke of Orleans; a fifteenth-century rondeau to his ‘valentined' wife, which commences:

“ Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée …”
—Charles d'Orléans, Rondeau VI, lines 1–2 [26]
(At the time, the duke was being held following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415, in the Tower of London.)

Valentine's Day is also ruefully mentioned by Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet (1600-1601):

“To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,
And dupp'd the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.”
—William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

VALENTINES IN MODERN TIMES

A British publisher, in 1797, issued ‘The Young Man's Valentine Writer'. This offered scores of sentimental verses for the young men in love unable to compose their own. Printers had, by then, begun producing a limited number of cards with sketches and verses, called ‘mechanical valentines'. A reduction in postal rates in the 19th century enabled the less personal but easier practice of posting valentines. In turn, that made it easy to exchange cards anonymously. And it is that which is accepted as the reason for the appearance of racy verse at a time otherwise prudishly Victorian.

As paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19 th century, these Valentines began to be assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real ribbons and lace, with imitation (paper) lace introduced in mid 1800's.

Leigh Eric Schmidt has traced the reinvention of Saint Valentine's Day in the 1840s. As a writer observed in 1849 in ‘Graham's American Monthly', " Saint Valentine's Day... is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday ".

The first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace in the United States were produced and sold by Esther Howland (1828-1904) of Worcester, (Massachusetts) shortly after 1847. Esther's father operated a large stationery and bookstore, but she took her inspiration from an English valentine she had received. So the ritual of sending Valentine's cards had clearly existed in England prior to becoming popular in North America.

The English practice of posting Valentine's cards is mentioned in Elizabeth Gaskell's ‘Mr. Harrison's Confessions' (published 1851). Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association (of the USA) has been giving an annual ‘Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary'.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging Valentine's cards in the United States was widened to include a variety of other gifts - usually from a man to a woman. These gifts often include chocolates and roses packed in a heart-shaped, red satin box. In the 1980s, the diamond industry promoted Valentine's Day as a time for giving jewellery. The day has become associated with a platonic generic greeting of " Happy Valentine's Day ".

Jokingly, Valentine's Day is now also referred to as ‘Singles Awareness Day'. In some North American primary schools, children exchange cards, decorate classrooms, and eat sweets. The ghastly greeting cards sent by these students mention ‘what they appreciate about each other'.

The ubiquity of the internet in business at the turn of the millennium has created new traditions. Every year, millions of people use websites as means of designing and sending Valentine's Day messages such as e-cards or printable greeting cards.

VALENTINES DAY THROUGHOUT EUROPE

There are many regional traditions in the UK regarding Valentine's Day. In Norfolk, presents and sweets are left for children at the rear door of houses by a character called 'Jack' Valentine. Many children were scared of this mystical person even though he was leaving treats. In Wales, instead of or as well as St Valentine's Day, many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day) on January 25. This day commemorates the patron saint of Welsh lovers St Dwynwen,.

In France, a traditionally Catholic country, Valentine's Day is celebrated in much the same way as other western countries, and is known simply as "Saint Valentin".

In Spain, Valentine's Day is celebrated the same way as in the U.K. is also known as "San Valentín". However, in Catalonia it is largely superseded by similar festivities of La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day) – with book and/or rose giving.

In Portugal it is often referred to as "Dia dos Namorados" (Boy/Girlfriend's Day).

In Norway and Denmark, 14 Feb, Valentine's Day, is known as Valentinsdag. It is not widely celebrated, but many people make an effort to eat a romantic dinner with their partner. Or they may give a red rose to a secret love or send a card to their loved one.

In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag ("All Hearts' Day"). But this was initiated in the 1960s due to the influence of American culture and by the commercial interests of the flower industries. Although not an official holiday, sales of flowers and cosmetics for this holiday are only exceeded by those for Mother's Day .

Valentine's Day in Finland is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day". This day is more about remembering not only your loved ones but all your friends, as the name indicates.

In Estonia, Valentine's Day is called Sõbrapäev, which has a meaning of similar friendship.

A proverb in Slovenia says that "St Valentine brings the keys of roots," so on February 14, flowers and plants start to grow. Valentine's Day has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the fields and in the vineyards starts. It is also said that birds marry or propose to each other on that day. However, only recently has it been celebrated as the day of romantic love. This day of love is traditionally Saint Gregory's day, the 12th March. Another proverb says "Valentin - prvi spomladin" ("Valentine — first saint of spring"), as in some places Saint Valentine marks the start of spring (eg White Carniola).

The traditional holiday for lovers in Romania, is Dragobete, which is celebrated on 24 th February. It is named after the son of Baba Dochia, a character who was from Romanian folklore. Part of this name is the word drag ("dear"), which is also in the word dragoste ("love"). Romania has also started celebrating Valentine's Day in recent years, despite already having Dragobete as the traditional holiday.

This has caused a reaction from many institutions, reputable persons and groups, but also Noua Dreapta a nationalist organizations, which condemns Valentine's Day for being imported Western kitsch, commercialist and superficial. Which of course, it is!

In Turkey, Valentine's Day is called Sevgililer Günü, which translates into "Sweethearts' Day".

The 15th day of the month of Av, according to Jewish tradition, is Tu B'Av (usually late August). This is the festival of love. In ancient times girls would dance in the vineyards and wear white dresses. Boys would be waiting for them (Mishna Taanith, Chapter 4). In modern Israeli culture this is has become a popular day to give gifts like cards or flowers, pronounce love or even propose marriage.

VALENTINES DAY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

In El Salvador and in Guatemala, Valentine's Day is known as the Day of Love and Friendship ("Día del Amor y la Amistad"). On this day it is common to see people carry out "acts of appreciation" for their friends, although it is similar to the United States' celebration in many ways,.

The Dia dos Namorados in Brazil (literally "Day of the Enamored", or "Boyfriends'/Girlfriends' Day"), is celebrated on 12 th June, when couples exchange flower bouquets, chocolates, gifts and cards. This day was probably chosen because it is the day before Saint Anthony's day (the Festa junina), known in Brazil as the marriage saint. Traditionally single women perform popular rituals called simpatias, to find a boyfriend or good husband. The 14 th February Valentine's Day is hardly celebrated at all, mainly for commercial and cultural reasons, as it usually falls too soon or after the Carnival. For Brazil this is a major floating holiday— long regarded as a holiday of debauchery and sex by many in the country — that can occur anywhere from early February to early March.

In 2009 in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez said to his supporters for a forthcoming referendum on February 15, that " since on the 14th, there will be no time of doing nothing, nothing or next to nothing ... maybe a little kiss or something very superficial ", he suggested people celebrate a week of love after the vote had been carried out.

In much of South America the Día del amor y la amistad (literally "Love and Friendship Day") and the Amigo secreto ("Secret friend") are very popular and often celebrated together on the 14th February.

An exception is Colombia, where strangely it is celebrated every 3rd Saturday of September. This consists of randomly allocating to each participant a recipient who is to be given a secret gift (similar to the idiot Western Christmas tradition of Secret Santa).

VALENTINES DAY IN ASIA

Valentine's Day is celebrated in some Asian countries. South Koreans, Chinese and Singaporeans spend the most money on Valentine's gifts thanks to a concentrated marketing effort,

In Japan, in 1960, one of the largest confectionery companies, Morinaga, originated the modern custom that women give chocolates to men! (Weirdly different to the Western tradition.) Office ladies, in particular, will give chocolate to co-workers.

One month later, on 14 th March, there is ‘White Day'. This has been created by the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association as a "reply day". Then, men are urged to return the favour and give to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day.

Unlike in Western countries, gifts such as dinner dates, flowers and sweets are not common. Sadly it has become an obligation for women to give chocolates to all of their male co-workers.

For a man, popularity is measured for how much chocolate they receive on that day. The quantity of chocolate received is a sensitive issue for men, and they will only admit it after getting promises that the amount will not be made public. This is known as giri-choko, from the words giri ("obligation") and choko, ("chocolate"). Unpopular co-workers receive only "ultra-obligatory" cho-giri choko, which is cheap chocolate. This contrasts with honmei-choko, (favorite chocolate), which is quality chocolate given to a loved one.

Girls may exchange chocolate with friends that is referred to as tomo-choko, from tomo meaning "friend".

Women give chocolate to men on 14 th February in South Korea (Valentine's Day), whilst men give non-chocolate sweets to women on 14 th March (White Day).

On April 14 (Black Day), those who didn't receive anything on 14th of February or 14 th March go to a Chinese restaurant to eat black noodles and " mourn" their single life ”.

Koreans also celebrate 11 th November as ‘Pepero Day', on which young couples give each other Pepero cookies. These are cookie sticks that have been dipped in chocolate syrup, and the date '11/11' is intended to resemble the shape of four long cookies. Which just shows how gullible people can be…

In Korea, the 14th of every month marks a love-related day, though most of them are obscure. From January to December these are Candle Day, Valentine's Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day.

In China, the man gives flowers, chocolate, or both to a woman that he loves. In Chinese, Valentine's Day is called ‘qíng rén jié'.

Valentine's Day in the Philippines, is called "Araw ng mga Puso" or "Hearts Day". It is often marked by a sharp increase in the price of flowers.

SIMILAR VALENTINES TRADITIONS IN ASIA

There is an older observance related to lovers in Chinese culture, called "The Night of Sevens" (pinyin: Qi Xi). According to legend, the Weaver Maid star and the Cowherd star are normally separated by the Milky Way (silvery river) but are enabled to meet by crossing it on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar.

In Japan, a slightly different tradition called Tanabata (weaver for a god), is celebrated, on 7 th July of the Gregorian calendar. But it is never seriously suggested that the celebration is related to the Western St. Valentine's Day, or of lovers giving gifts to each other.

In India, Valentine's Day is firmly discouraged by Hindus. Since 2001 there have been annual violent clashes between shopkeepers dealing in Valentine related goods and fundamentalist ‘Shiv Sena' fanatics, who oppose it as " cultural pollution from the west ".

VALENTINES DAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

In Iran, Sepandarmazgan, is the celebration day of earth and love, held in ancient culture of the Great Persian Empire since the 20th century BC. Young Iranians on this day buy gifts and celebrate.

In Lebanon, people send balloons, cards and roses, to each other on Valentine's Day. Couples meet to go on a romantic dinner dates, and shops are decorated with various red items and many remain open till midnight.

In Saudi Arabia, , religious police prohibited the sale of all Valentine's Day items in 2002 and 2008. Shops removed any red items, as the day is considered a non-Islamic holiday – and in 2008 this ban created a black market of wrapping paper and roses!