As you already know valentine’s day is coming so love and romance, 14th of feb, right? Everybody knows whether someone is dating, a couple or not. The history of  Valentine’s Day is much broader and interesting, which you are gonna know in just a few minutes. Stay tuned and follow the article.

What does history say?

Long long ago somewhere in Italy there lived a saint known as Saint Valentine. Yes you heard it right, your romantic festival is named after a prestigious  saint. Before anyone questions, let me accept that history had many martyrs named Valentines. But most of the historians agree that Saint Valentine is the one after whom valentines day was named.

Saint Valentine, the rebel against the king

Saint is popular for challenging the then king named Emperor Claudius II, not once but multiple times. Firstly, he arranged marriages of two soldiers who were forbidden to do the same, by the honourable king, which led to his exile.  During his exile, he again committed a sin. The second time while Saint was in the jail, he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter named Julia. Julia was blind by birth and St. Valentine taught her arithmetic, nature, and history, helping her see the world through his description. But her father, the jailer, came to know about her love affair with Saint.

The first Valentine’s Day

Saint proved his pure love by his faithful prayers that healed Julia, as he was challenged by the jailer to do so. Miraculously, the first thing she saw after getting her eyesight was the last letter of the saint before his execution. Unfortunately, only the letter of St. Valentine because he was no more as he was mercilessly executed by the king.The letter was signed as “from your Valentine”, therefore the world celebrated that day as the “first Valentines day”. Was the story heart breaking? Of course it was. But there are some interesting facts also.

Medieval and modern era facts

• In the medieval era, Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English Literature, called St Valentine’s Day as the season of love and mating among birds.
• During Victorian times, there were cards called Vinegar Valentines. Interestingly, they were as sour as their pronoun, vinegar. People used to write hateful letters to the people they disliked.
• Romans celebrate their god of love, Cupid and fertility festival known as Pagan festival, during the mid february. 
• In Europe and the United States, it is the second largest card sending holiday, just after Christmas. On  this day students send letters to their teachers and professors.
• Chocolates brands like Cadbury, have their premium heart shaped chocolates for the love bird from the 1860s. 
• By the 19th century and 20th century, the USA saw a surge in the 14th of February party, for example by Local businesses, bakeries, clubs, social parties and post offices, such parties used to have sweets, cards and drinks.

How February 14th Is Celebrated Today

It has been evolving with the time,and varies from place to place, for example the culture slightly differs in the US and Europe  from that of the middle east and asian countries.

• Europeans generally celebrate by sending cards, gifts, and heart shaped chocolates to their loving partner and people enjoy dinner dates organized by many renowned hotels.
• In the United States, V-Day is one of the biggest gifting occasions, with wine chocolates, and personalized cards being top choices for couples.
• Asian countries like China and India celebrate it with their own cultural touch. China has its own V-day Chinese Qixi festival in August. In India people wear ethnic clothes and celebrate by exchanging gifts and celebrate a whole week of Valentines like Rose day, Teddy day, Chocolate day etc.
• Not only this, it is also banned in the conservative middle east countries like that of Iran, and Saudi Arabia of Asia.
• But one thing common in all these countries is that people exchange gifts with their loved ones, for example a girl  expects her  boy friends to give the best chocolates, roses, and wine gifts for her.

Singles do Jingles

Even singles enjoy this day by celebrating among friends or introverts enjoying their own company.

• People buy chocolates of various brands, specifically available for singles.
• People nowadays also celebrate by visiting various places for holidaying, for example, New York city, Hawaiian island of the US.
• Even singles are celebrating now—by sending a thoughtful Valentine’s wine gift to friends has become a popular trend in the US.
• And, even introverts with no bestie and buddy generally surprises themselves, by ordering gifts for themself and enjoying them while scrolling their phone. 

Wayforward

Do not see February 14th just as a couple day.it has a back story and the interesting facts we told you here. It’s the same day when St. Valentine was executed, do not forget to give credits to him too. It’s a season celebrated by personalities from the father of English literature to us 19th and 20th century parties to Vinegar cards. Healthy caution: do not send any Vinegar card to anyone Hello! Don’t forget to send cards to your professors if you belong to  the United States. And it’s  okay to have it as a normal day, if one doesn’t feel FOMO. 

Take care. Happy Valentines.

FAQs

1. Is the day of Valentine a Roman festival?

Ans . Some historians do say but remember then time the Roman empire was spread to more than 30% of the current Europe. So be open minded and celebrate it fully.

1. Was Saint Valentine executed?

Ans. Yes, as we mentioned he was executed on the first ever Valentine Day, when he signed his last letter to his girlfriend Julia.

In this article, we’ve  discussed the evolution of valentines day from ancient to modern times. With due respect to the changes, one thing remains constant, that is surprising your loved ones by giving them cards and presents. If you are someone who is looking forward to buying a more gifts, you can visit www.dcwineandspirits.com.