Valentine’s Day – How it Came About

Each year on February 14th, many of us celebrate Valentine’s Day by exchanging cards, flowers, dinners or some sort of little gift with someone the love.

Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is named for the martyred Christian saint named Valentine. He was a bishop of Terni (Italy) that married forbidden couples.(parents did not agree with the connection or because the bridegroom was a soldier or a slave)

Valentine gave the married couple flowers from his garden. That’s why flowers play a very important role on Valentine’s Day. The emperor was not happy and on February 14, 269 AD, Valentine was beheaded because of his Christian faith.

The legend combines the day of the death of Valentine with the Roman festival Lupercalia. It was the festival of the great goddess Lupa. (feminine word for wolf) She was the Great She-Wolf who nursed the twin babies, Romulus and Remus, who later became the founders of Rome. During the annual ceremony, the temple priestesses (lupae) wrote their names on strips of papyrus. These were picked by young men. After the lottery, the youngsters walked through the city and got the blessings of the citizens. The martyr Valentine became the patron saint of the lovers.

During the 19th century, sending Valentine’s Cards became very popular, with pictures of flowers, hearts and a simple message to show their true feelings to the person they love.

On Valentines day we don’t really do much, we show each other all year long.
Do you celebrate Valentines Day? What do you do?

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11 Responses to Valentine’s Day – How it Came About

  1. Freda Mans says:

    I told the hubster no flowers this year. I only want a box of Laura Secord chocolates and a quiet night in with him. 🙂
    Freda Mans recently posted…#Giveaway: Dark Sun, Bright Moon by Oliver SparrowMy Profile

    • Mama Bear6910 says:

      I never get flowers from hubby, he says what is the point they only wilt and die within a few days. I told him it is ok, but a flowering plant would be nice…lol We are having a quiet night at home alone, our daughter is gone for the night. 🙂

  2. Jen says:

    I asked for it not to be celebrated. We’re just getting back on our feet and the money doens’t need to be spent. Hugs will do us just fine.

  3. No we don’t really celebrate it.

    • Mama Bear6910 says:

      we spend all year showing each other our feelings and love for one another. No big deal for us so we don’t really celebrate either.

  4. We celebrate in varying degrees each year- usually we go on a special date ( a little nicer than usual).. and we do things for our kids for school and sometimes something special at home (a treat or special meal).
    Heather Lynne recently posted…Cake Smash with Two BabiesMy Profile

  5. We celebrate Valentine’s Day. We go on a date night. Luckily kids are old enough to stay by themselves
    ourfamilyworld recently posted…Start Gardening Now With These Container Garden SuppliesMy Profile

  6. Valentines is a happy sad occasion for me. My Nanny died on that day when I was 13, but DH proposed to me. Mixed emotions!
    Jennifer Van Huss recently posted…Pawsitively Warm Winter for Your Feline Friend!My Profile

  7. Sarah says:

    I’m not big on celebrating valentines day because I feel like prices get so out of hand on this day, but this year we’ll be having a mini stay-cation sans kids! Woot!
    Sarah recently posted…Changing on the fly – Keep your car running without slowing you down #DropShopAndOilMy Profile

  8. Sarah says:

    I’m not a huge V-Day celebrator because I feel like prices for everything are insane just for that day, but this year we’ll be staying in a hotel downtown sans children! Can’t wait!
    Sarah recently posted…Changing on the fly – Keep your car running without slowing you down #DropShopAndOilMy Profile

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