Valentine's Day (or Saint Valentine's Day) falls on February 14. That day is the traditional holiday for all lovers as they have the unique chance to express love for each other, even if feeling is not mutual. Greeting cards with love messages, gifts in the form of heart, chocolate and red roses are the usual attributes of Valentine's Day.

History

By one version, the day was named after the Christian martyr Valentine. He lived in roman Terni about AD 200-300 and he was an average Christian priest, however he studied the natural science and medicine as well. Claudius II, the Roman imperator, respected the martial spirit of roman legionaries and he did not permit them to marry because of married warrior's spirit tends to his wife, not to war. But Valentine wasn't afraid the imperator's anger, holding the secret wedding ceremonies for legionaries. Moreover, he was an arbiter between the quarreled couples and wrote the love letters instead of slow-witted legionaries.

In AD 269 he was arrested and sentenced to death. The blind daughter of a jailer, who became healthy on the strength of Valentine's medical skill, fell in love with him, but as he vowed celibacy so he was not able to answer her feelings. However, he wrote her a heart-piercing letter on February 13, the day before the execution...

It's only a beautiful legend, as we aren't able to know how it was in reality, but this Christian priest died in the name of Love, no doubt. As a Christian martyr, who suffered martyrdom, Valentine became a saint.

By another version, the furious wolves (or lupus) lived in the woods near ancient Rome. Citizen begged the god Lupercus for mercy, and Lupercalia, a festival after the name of this god, celebrated on February 15. It was a holiday of spring alchemy, love and fertility. Young guys and girls played mysteries on which they put in the special box the love-letters with sender and addressee names, and these letters were sort of invitation to love.

Traditions and Observances

USA

Tradition to celebrate Valentine's Day has been imported to North America by British settlers in the 18th century. The first cards, decorated by prints and manually painted, with beads, seashells, berries etc, were the real work of art. During the Civil War the valentine's card accompanied by patriotic and political lyrics. The valentine's card exchanging became overgrown with all kinds of gifts, and now includes roses, chocolate, gifts in the form of heart. In the eighties, the diamond industry started to promote Valentine's Day, declaring the jewelry as the best gift.

Denmark

By Valentine's Day, all friends and lovers send each other the dry snowdrops. Man can send valentine's greeting card with romantic lyric to his sweetheart but without his name. Instead name he writes as many dots as his name has letters. If girl guesses who wrote the letter, so she must give him a Paschal gift.

France

World capital of love and kisses celebrates Valentine's Day in a big way. In a few weeks before holiday, the streets and shops are shining with romantic symbolic, inviting lovers to give each other not only traditional but also original presents.

UK

Valentine cards, flowers and chocolate - it's the standard gifts. In some regions, a character called Jack Valentine knocks at the doors and gives candy and gifts for children. In other regions, people bake the valentine's cakes with caraway and raisin.

Japan

Valentine's Day celebrates twice - on February 14 and month after date. In February, women give flowers, candy or chocolate to their lovers. In March, on so-called White Day, men return the gifts and besides, the gifts must be equal. For example, if woman presents a jewelry, so man is obliged to present the same.

Taiwan

On February 14 men give the expensive bouquets of flowers, mostly roses, to their sweethearts. The color and quantity of flowers are very important. One red rose means "favor", 11 roses - "love", 99 roses - "forever", 108 roses - "be mine".