How Valentine’s Day started

  Valentine’s Day is on February 14 of every year. It has been a tradition all around the world since the 1840s. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. All countries celebrate this day differently than other countries. Items that are known for being bought are chocolate and sorts of candies, flowers, and meaningful gifts for loved ones. These gifts being handed out are all in honor of St. Valentine. 

     Around the world some traditions they consider are types of gifting materials in  India, couples in Bulgaria celebrate with a glass of wine shared with their loved ones, and in Wales people give others homemade wooden spoons to resemble their love for each other. It is common for people to give each other handwritten notes and small things to show their affection towards another person. 

     Valentine’s Day originated in ancient Rome and it came from the Roman ritual of Lupercalia that started spring to the card-giving traditions of Victorian England. The three main saints The Catholic Church lets stand out named Valentine or Valentinus. Some think the reason it occurs in the middle of the month was to celebrate the day of Valentine’s death or when he was buried but others think the Cristian church decided to make it this day because then it would recognize “Christianize” which is known as the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. 

     Valentine’s Day is a day when loved ones get to enjoy the day together and have the whole day to themselves. 

     Another commonly known name around this time of year is Cupid. People might know him as a naked cherub who throws arrows that resemble love to lovers. But he is much more than that. Cupid is a Roman God and Greek god of love, Eros. According to history.com, “Accounts of his birth vary; some say he is the son of Nyx and Erebus; others, of Aphrodite and Ares; still others suggest he is the son of Iris and Zephyrus or even Aphrodite and Zeus (who would have been both his father and grandfather). According to the Greek Archaic poets, “Eros was a handsome immortal played with the emotions of Gods and men, using golden arrows to incite love and leaden ones to sow aversion. It wasn’t until the Hellenistic period that he began to be portrayed as the mischievous, chubby child he’d become on Valentine’s Day cards.” 

     Even if people are not in love with someone it is always appreciated when receiving heartwarming messages or gifts for individuals who might be struggling. 

     Schools around the world also do some traditions coordinated with Valentine’s Day. Some Things schools do to celebrate this day are write notes of kindness, have a door-decorating contest, read some Valentine’s Day books, make a heart collage, craft up some Valen-slime, set up a candy heart estimation jar, and do a crystal heart science experiment.

Check out this website for more information about Valentine’s day: Valentine’s Day