Of course, it’s no secret to anyone what Valentine's Day is? Love is in the air, and people confess their feelings. You don’t even need to pronounce words, you can say everything with an eloquent look, and you will undoubtedly be understood. Romance, flowers, gifts, heart-shaped sweets and burning eyes in love ... Do you know where and when Valentine's Day came to us?
history of the holiday
This holiday has existed for a very long time - more than 1500 years. So, on February 14, Valentine's Day in Europe began to be celebrated somewhere from the 13th century. America joined the celebrations in 1777. The countries of the former Soviet Union discovered Valentine's Day only in the early 90s.
So, whose holiday is it and why is it called that?
This story begins in the year 269 in the Roman Empire. Then the state was ruled by the severe emperor Claudius II. And the main goal of the Empire was the conquest of land. The sovereign commander was faced with the problem of the shortage of soldiers in the army for military campaigns. And Claudius II found an explanation for this - marriage. The emperor came to the conclusion that the legionnaires, whom their wives and children are waiting for at home, are less interested in the victories of their homeland. Where do they think about conquests, when they need to take care of feeding the family. And Claudius II found what he thought was a wonderful way out: he issued a decree prohibiting marriage. Thus he tried to maintain a soldier's fighting spirit.
However, the ban on creating a family could not prevent men from falling in love. And, fortunately for the legionnaires, there was a man in the empire who supported them. It was a Christian priest from the city of Terni - Valentine. Despite the strict ban of the emperor, he secretly held wedding ceremonies of legionnaires with their beloved in his church. Probably, Valentine was a real romantic, since he not only connected people by marriage, but also helped the lovers in every way: he helped compose gentle messages and gave flowers on behalf of the legionnaires to objects of their passion.
Of course, everything surfaced and became known to the Emperor. And since the law was above all in the Roman Empire, the activity of the priest was sharply suppressed. Valentine was put in jail. And soon the emperor signed a decree on the execution of the priest.
The last days of Valentine, which he spent in prison, are shrouded in a halo of romance. They say that the daughter of the guard chief was in love with him. However, Valentine, who made a vow of celibacy, could not answer her feelings. On the last night before hanging on February 13, he sent her a letter telling her about his feelings. The girl read the message only after the execution of her lover.
Saint Valentine
Valentine's Day named after him. Of course, there is no evidence that everything was exactly as described above. After all, no material evidence of this has been preserved. But it is obvious that the young Christian priest died in the name of love. And so much of this feeling was released to him for his short life: love for a beautiful woman, for God, for the people whom he helped. He was a wonderful man with a great soul, striving to do good. Not surprisingly, Valentine's Day is named after him.
Later, the Catholic Church considered Valentine a Christian martyr, who died for the faith, and recognized as a saint. And in 496, Pope Gelasius I announced that February 14 is Valentine's Day.
However, in a 1969 reform of worship, St. Valentine was removed from the Catholic liturgical church calendar. So did some other saints, whose life there was no reliable information. However, even before that time, the church had no special approval for the celebration of this day.
Triumphs of love
Valentine's Day is a holiday that has existed for over 16 centuries. However, from the 18th century and much earlier the most diverse national celebrations of love have been known.
There is a version that the first was the Roman festival of eroticism of Lupercalia. It was held in honor of the goddess Februat, who was considered a symbol of "feverish" love. The purpose of this celebration was to find your other half. Therefore, upon its completion, many new marriages were created.
The day before the feast of Lupercalia, which was held on February 15, celebrated the triumph of the Roman goddess of motherhood, marriage and women - Juno. On this day, all unmarried girls had to write a love message and put it in a large urn. And men - to draw out a letter. It was believed that every man should take care of that beauty whose passionate and passionate message he received.
In ancient Greece, the holiday was called Panurgy. It was a festival held in honor of the deity Pan, which was considered the patron saint of herds, fields and fertility. Pan was portrayed as a little merry fellow playing the flute and chasing beautiful nymphs with his love.
All of the above is a pagan contribution to Valentine's Day. Whose holiday served as the basis, it is not possible to determine. Most likely, pagan traditions of different nations are reflected in modern triumph.
Valentine
At the end of the XVII century, the English court chronicler wrote that Valentine's Day is a holiday during which lovers can exchange passionate notes, give each other all kinds of gifts, such as rings, sweets, gloves, cakes, etc. But there was an important condition: all souvenirs are in the shape of a heart. Whether this was so in reality is unknown, but most likely, it was from there that the tradition went to send special messages on such a day - valentines.
Today, this word means love letters in the form of hearts. You can’t sign a Valentine card. The recipient himself must guess who she is from.
On Valentine's Day, people want to show their feelings and tenderness to their soulmate. They give roses, symbolizing love, send cute cards, make an offer. It is a celebration of love around the world. But each country has its own traditions of Valentine's Day.
Holiday in France and Italy
On February 14, both the French and Italians have traditionally decided to give flowers and gifts. The difference is, perhaps, in the choice of the latter.
In France, jewelry is considered the best gift on Valentine's Day. In extreme cases, jewelry is also suitable. The French were the first to come up with original and popular congratulations on Valentine's Day today - rhymed quatrains. France is a country of love. And its inhabitants justify this name. February 14th is an abundance of flowers, gifts, pink and declarations of love.
Italian holiday is a sweet day. Traditionally, it is customary to arrange for your loved ones a sweet treat. Therefore, cakes, sweets, chocolate, yoghurts and other goodies are used.
Love and Germany
What is Valentine's Day in Germany? You will be surprised. But February 14th for the Germans is a celebration of the mentally ill.
On this day, services are held throughout the country, where people can pray for the health of mentally unhealthy loved ones, as well as for the peace of mind of Valentine. Orderlies adorn the chambers and corridors of psychiatric hospitals with scarlet ribbons. Therefore, if you see a beautifully decorated building on this day, you should know that this is a “psychiatric hospital”.
But lately, German youth have sought to imitate the rest of the world. And though informally, but still celebrates the holiday of love. In Germany, a pig is added to the traditional European celebration symbols. All kinds of figurines in the shape of this animal, chocolate candies, soft toys and much more are used.
Celebrations in the USA and Canada
Valentine's Day traditions in America are mostly similar to European ones. But still, the main gift to loved ones on this day is red roses. Statistics showed that in the States on February 14, 20,000 roses are sold per minute. And more than a million of these beautiful flowers are bought per day!
Children are also happy on Valentine's Day. The history of the holiday is the script of all school productions and plays. Children dress up as angels and deliver valentines addressed to both classmates and teachers. By the way, in the USA a lot of weddings take place on this day. Especially popular is the famous city of Las Vegas, located in Nevada.
In Canada, on February 14, a girl can make a proposal to her beloved man. And if he decides to refuse, sanctions await him: from a fine to imprisonment! This does not apply to those representatives of the stronger sex who have already found their soul mate. But if a person is free and decided to refuse the lady in love with him, he will be dragged to the “prison”.
Holiday of love in Britain
Real English gentlemen give roses to their ladies. And certainly red. And women who have not yet found their lover prefer to do fortune telling. It is believed that if in the morning on February 14 to stand near the window and look at the empty street, then the first passerby who appears on the horizon will look like a future husband. If the girl manages to call him, then he may even become one.
The British are famous for their quirks. They congratulate not only their soul mates, but also their pets. Horses and dogs are especially fond of. On February 14, in pet stores you can buy food in the form of hearts to please your pets.
Love day in japan
This holiday in Japan is somewhat similar to our day on February 23rd. Japanese men receive much more gifts this day than women. Girls present their beloved with wallets, razors and obligatory chocolate Honmei. Such sweet gifts appeared thanks to the largest confectionery factory with the same name. It is believed that Honmei chocolate can only be given to the most beloved man. So this is a kind of recognition.
In Japan, a competition is held annually on February 14th. Young people rise to a special platform and shout words of love to their girls as much as they have enough strength. Of course, a valuable prize awaits the winner.
Love traditions of Denmark and Holland
On this day, festive parties are held throughout Denmark, dedicated to St. Valentine and all lovers. Numerous concerts, game shows, exhibitions are arranged. The whole country is celebrating. Danes have an interesting tradition. On Valentine's Day, men send a dried flower, with which a lover is associated. So girls learn a lot about themselves and the tastes and fantasies of their chosen ones.
If you really want to get married, you need to go to Holland. There is a tradition there that on February 14, if a girl made an offer, she should not be refused. Of course, it is unlikely that a man can be bound by marriage against his will. But even if the offer is refused, it is possible to ask the chosen one for a silk dress. And any brand and at any price. No man can refuse this. The only condition is that the dress should be red. It is believed that only such an outfit can console an outcast woman. So the Dutch in any case will not remain in the loser.
Friends day
In Estonia and Finland, this is Friendship Day. Of course, lovers also celebrate it. But the peculiarity of the holiday is that true friends also receive postcards and gifts. This is done so that almost everyone can join the holiday, and not just happy lovers.
One way or another, but on this day, as well as around the world, people send valentines, cute little things, gifts, soft toys, sweets and other presents made in the shape of hearts. Flowers are less popular here, as practical Finns and Estonians prefer material expressions of their feelings of love and friendship.
Ban on love
Iran and Saudi Arabia are the only countries in the world where Valentine's Day is officially banned. The traditions of the holiday are considered harmful and pernicious, embarrassing young minds. In Saudi Arabia, there is even a Commission for the Prevention of Sin and the Implementation of Virtue. It was she who issued the decree banning Valentine's Day celebrations. The Commission concluded that "this western holiday extols the original sin of man."
Therefore, all the shops and supermarkets of the country on February 14 are not entitled to sell flowers, valentines, plush toys and all sorts of other attributes of the holiday. And everyone who decides to celebrate this celebration will face a huge fine.
Valentine's Day in Russia
As mentioned above, in Russia Valentine's Day is celebrated not so long ago. However, the holiday has already managed to please many. Especially those who are in love. In Russia, their holiday traditions have already appeared. This day is perceived by the triumph of joy and love. In all corners of the country, lovers send valentines, present gifts and flowers, arrange romantic evenings by candlelight and dates under the moonlight.
Incidentally, in Russia there is also a St. Valentine's Day. The Orthodox holiday is called Valentine's Day. The Russians celebrate it on July 8th. This holiday is a tribute to the legendary love of Fevronia and Paul. And in 2008 it was declared the official Day of family, fidelity and love.