Valentine's Day is a holiday filled with love, romance, and intriguing history. The origins of this day are shrouded in mystery, with stories of ancient rituals, martyred saints, and surprising customs.
In this post, we'll delve into the fascinating and little-known facts about Valentine's Day, exploring its evolution and revealing the unexpected tales behind this beloved celebration.
1. South Korea's Black Day
South Korea has a somber counterpart to Valentine's Day, known as "Black Day," which is celebrated on April 14th. On this day, single people mourn their solo status by wearing black and eating black-colored foods, such as noodles and coffee.
2. Martyrdom of Saint Valentine
There were actually multiple saints named Valentine, but the most well-known was a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriage and was subsequently executed on February 14th.
During his imprisonment, Saint Valentine is said to have healed the daughter of his jailer and converted her and others to Christianity.
3. Chaucer's Influence on Valentine's Day
Geoffrey Chaucer's poem "Parlement of Foules" is often credited with popularizing the idea of linking Valentine's Day with courtly love. Chaucer's work helped to spread the notion that Valentine's Day was a day for lovers to express their affection and devotion to one another.
4. Victorian-Era Valentine's Day Cards
The tradition of exchanging Valentine's Day cards originated in Victorian England, where people would create elaborate and intricate cards with lace, ribbons, and other decorations. These cards often featured romantic messages and poetry, setting the stage for the modern-day greeting card industry.
5. Cupid's Origins in Ancient Mythology
Cupid, the mischievous god of love, has its roots in ancient Roman and Greek mythology. Originally known as Eros, Cupid was the son of Venus and was often depicted as a winged child with a bow and arrow, symbolizing the power of love and desire.
6. Japan's Unique Valentine's Day Tradition
In Japan, Valentine's Day is celebrated on two separate days: February 14th and March 14th. On the first day, women give gifts to men, and on the second day, known as "White Day," men return the favors, creating a unique and thoughtful twist on the traditional holiday.
7. Ancient Roman Festival of Lupercalia
The ancient Romans celebrated the festival of Lupercalia from February 13th to 15th, which involved rituals to purify and fertilize the city, as well as matchmaking and pairing of women with men by lottery. This festival laid the groundwork for the modern-day celebration of Valentine's Day.
8. The Ancient Celtic Festival of Imbolc
The Celtic festival of Imbolc, which took place on February 1st, marked the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
This festival involved rituals to purify and protect the home, as well as the celebration of the goddess Brigid, who was revered for her power to bring fertility and love.
9. Denmark's Valentine's Day Tradition of "Gaekkebrev"
In Denmark, Valentine's Day is celebrated with a unique tradition called "gaekkebrev," which involves exchanging funny, rhyming poems and stickers. These lighthearted messages are often anonymous, adding to the playful and mysterious nature of the holiday.
10. The World's Oldest Known Valentine's Day Message
The oldest known Valentine's Day message was written by a French duke named Charles, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London in the 15th century.
The duke wrote a poem to his wife, declaring his love and devotion, which has been preserved and is now considered one of the earliest examples of a Valentine's Day message.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.