Valentine's Day: Name days without a birthday. What is Valentine's Day? Happy Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day - the history of the holiday From what the holiday of Valentine's Day came from
The tradition of celebrating Valentine's Day, also known as Valentine's Day, came to us from the West. On this day, lovers give each other gifts, confess their love and, of course, give each other special cards - valentines. interesting history of occurrence this holiday.
There is a beautiful legend about the origin of Valentine's Day. According to this legend, the Roman emperor Claudius II, who lived in the third century AD, was an opponent of marriage unions, as they prevented his legionnaires from fighting well. Therefore, the emperor issued a decree forbidding marriage. The priest Valentine, contrary to the decree, continued to secretly marry lovers, for which he was thrown into prison and sentenced to death. The jailer's daughter, seeing Valentine and learning his story, fell in love with him. The priest reciprocated her. Since they could not see each other, the lovers communicated through correspondence. On the day of execution The 14th of February 270 (according to other sources 269) of the year, the priest sent his beloved the last note signed "From Valentine".
According to another version of the legend about the origin of the holiday of all lovers, the head of the prison in which Valentine was imprisoned for his "criminal" deeds, learned about the healing abilities of the prisoner and brought his blind daughter Julia to him. On the day of his execution, Valentine wrote a farewell love letter to Julia. Having received the note, the girl found yellow saffron inside it and a miracle happened - she received her sight.
Under the name Saint Valentine's several early Christian holy martyrs are known. One of them was Valentine, a Roman priest who was executed around 269 AD. Another famous Saint Valentine is the Bishop of Interamna. This saint was known for his miraculous healings. He was executed for converting the mayor's son to Christianity. It is possible that this saint is mentioned in the legend. The feast of February 14 in memory of both saints was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I.
Already in our time, 1969 year, as a result of the reform of worship, St. Valentine was removed from the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church (along with other Roman saints, information about whose life is contradictory and unreliable). Catholic Church February 14 honors the memory saints Kirill and Methodius. The Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of Valentine, Presbyter of Rome July 6 (19).
According to one legend, the roots of Valentine's Day go back to pagan times. It is believed that the "predecessors" of this holiday were the so-called Lupercalia- a celebration of abundance and eroticism. Lupercalia were held in ancient Rome in honor of the goddess of "feverish" love, Juno Februata, and the patron god of the herds, Faun (Luperka) on February 15th.
Young girls wrote love notes to men and put them in a special urn for drawing lots. The man who took out such a note had to look after the one who wrote it. On this day, men whipped oncoming women with whips made from the skin of a sacrificial goat. This was supposed to promote the fertility of women, so they were happy to be exposed to blows.
Pope Gelasius I in 494 AD"moved" the celebration of the Lupercalia from the fifteenth to the fourteenth of February. Thus, Lupercalia coincided with the day of veneration of St. Valentine. Soon the celebration of Lupercalia came to naught.
The celebration of Valentine's Day in February is also associated with the beginning of the mating season for birds. It was believed that if a marriage union is concluded at this time, it will be long and happy.
It is traditionally believed that the holiday in honor of lovers came to the countries of the former CIS from the West. However, celebrations, to some extent similar to the Roman Lupercalia, have long been in Russia. So Kupala Day has been celebrated in Russia since ancient times, falling on July 7, more precisely on the night of July 6-7, according to the old style, on the night of June 23-24. The holiday was dedicated to the summer solstice and the pagan Slavic sun god Kupala. On this day, the Sun, the maturity of summer and the green mowing were honored. Young people girded themselves with bandages of flowers, put wreaths on their heads, danced round dances, sang songs. Later, in connection with the adoption of Christianity in Russia, this pagan holiday was replaced by the veneration of the memory of John (Ivan) the Baptist, because the day of the Nativity of John the Baptist coincided with the pagan holiday of Kupala. The name "Ivan Kupala" was assigned to the holiday, under which we know it now.
July 8 (June 25, old style) the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom, patrons of love and family happiness.
Massively February 14 as Valentine's Day and as Valentine's Day in Europe is celebrated with 13th century, and in America - with 1777. This holiday is secular(not religious).
Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day, February 14 - History, traditions and legends.
An interesting story about the holiday of Valentine's Day for children and adults.
February 14th is Valentine's Day, the patron saint of all lovers. This is the most romantic holiday in the world, when everyone confesses their love to each other, give touching gifts and valentines to their loved ones. For more than eighteen centuries, there has been a tradition to celebrate this holiday. Despite the fact that the word “saint” is present in the name of the holiday, it has nothing to do with religion, since it is a secular holiday. Nevertheless, February 14th we associate with St. Valentine.
History of Valentine's Day. History of Valentine's Day. Who is Valentine?
There are a lot of legends and rumors about Valentine's Day. So who is Saint Valentine, who presented this holiday as a gift to the whole world?
There is an opinion that in fact there were two Saint Valentines, who were venerated on the same day and died in Ancient Rome in 269 (270?) years. But now no one remembers for certain which of them the holiday was dedicated to. It is only known that one of the saints, younger, served as a preacher in Rome and worked as a doctor. During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Claudius, he was executed. Another Valentine, Bishop of Terni, lived near Rome and died a martyr's death at the hands of pagans in the same year 269 (270?).
Much in the legends of St. Valentine converges and intertwines, but each of them has some kind of peculiarity that makes it different from the others.
Most versions converge on the first Valentine, who was a preacher and physician and lived in the 3rd century Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Claudius. A hard and cruel fate fell on him. The fact is that the militant emperor issued a decree according to which his soldiers could not marry, so that the joys of family life would not distract them from service. Valentine, on the other hand, disregarded Claudius's prohibition and married the lovers in secret. For these unlawful acts, he was seized and imprisoned.
The priest's jailer, having learned that the prisoner, among other things, had the gift of healing, brought his blind daughter to him. Valentine healed the girl, the young people fell in love, but their happiness was not destined to work out - Valentine was executed.
However, the day of his death - February 14 - forever remained in the memory of people as a symbol of the all-conquering power of love. It is also symbolic that the date of Saint Valentine's execution coincided with the Roman festivities in honor of Juno, the goddess of love. Subsequently, Valentine was buried in Rome (according to other sources, part of his relics is in his homeland in the city of Terni, and part is in the church of St. Anthony in Madrid). It is not surprising that Valentine was not forgotten and was chosen as the patron saint of all people in love. As a Christian martyr who suffered for his faith, he was canonized by the Catholic Church. In 496, Pope Gelasius proclaimed February 14 as Saint Valentine's Day.
Since then, every year on February 14, people remembered Valentine and arranged a holiday for all lovers. On this day, girls and boys gathered together, wrote names on pieces of paper and threw these leaves into a jug, then each pulling out one piece of paper and recognized the name of their lover.
How it all happened in reality, we do not know and will never know, but one thing is clear - St. Valentine died in the name of love.
There is another version of the origin of the holiday. According to her, Valentine's Day originated from the Roman holiday Lupercalia, celebrated in honor of the god Faun (Luperka) - the patron saint of flocks. The celebration took place annually on February 15th. In ancient times, on this day, all the Romans quit their business and began to have fun. Over time, the holiday changed, new ceremonies appeared.
The main task that everyone had to carry out on this day was to find their soul mate. So after the end of the holiday, a large number of new families were created.
Traditions of celebrating Valentine's Day in different countries
Over time, Valentine's Day acquired its own rituals, some of which have survived to this day. In each country, the traditions differed, although the one and the same for all peoples and times was that on this day it is very popular to arrange weddings and get married.
Some beliefs also say that on this holiday a woman can approach her dear man and politely ask him to marry her. If a young man is not yet ready to take such a decisive step, then he should politely thank for the honor and give the woman a silk dress, and buy himself a silk cord with a heart strung on it.
In other countries, the tradition of donating clothes is somewhat modified. So, for unmarried women, lovers give clothes as a gift. If a girl accepts and leaves a gift, then she agrees to marry this man.
At different times in different countries there were different beliefs. For example, the first man a girl meets that day should be her Valentine, regardless of his desire.
Some people believed that if a girl saw a robin on Valentine's Day, then her husband would be a sailor, if a sparrow, she would marry a poor man, but would be happy with him, and if she was a goldfinch, she would become the wife of a millionaire.
Valentine's Day in England
In medieval England, this custom was popular: several guys got together, wrote the names of the girls on pieces of paper, put them in a hat and drew lots. That girl, whose name fell out to a young man, became his “Valentina” for a year, and he became her “Valentina”.
"Valentin" had to treat his "Valentina" in a special way: compose sonnets in her honor, play the lute, and was also obliged to accompany the girl everywhere; in a word, behave like a real knight.
There was a tradition of dressing up children as adults. Reincarnated in this way, the children went from house to house and sang songs about St. Valentine.
Nowadays, the British understand love in a slightly different way, this concept has expanded, since not only people, but also beloved animals, such as horses or dogs, are congratulated on Valentine's Day.
In Wales, on February 14, in the olden days, wooden "spoons of love" were carved, which were then given to Their loved ones. Spoons were decorated with a variety of hearts, keys and keyholes, which said: "you found the way to my heart."
Valentine's Day in America
The Americans also had their own traditions. At the beginning of the 19th century, on Valentine's Day, they sent marzipan products to their brides. However, the composition of the treat included sugar, which in those days was very expensive. This custom gained a truly wide scope after the processing of sugar beets began in 1800. The Americans urgently set up the production of caramel on the continent and began to scratch words corresponding to the holiday on sweets. Caramels were made in red and white, as red symbolized passion, and white symbolized the purity of love. In the 50s of the 19th century, sweets began to be packed in cardboard boxes that had the shape of a heart.
Valentine's Day in Japan
In Japan, Valentine's Day began to be celebrated in the 1930s. This tradition did not go by itself, but at the suggestion of one large company engaged in the production of chocolate. Chocolate, by the way, is still the most common gift on this day.
In our time, the Japanese have turned this holiday into "March 8 for men." On this day, gifts in Japan are accepted mainly by representatives of the stronger sex. And, accordingly, it is customary to give various men's accessories; razors, lotions, brushes, etc.
And on this day, the people of Japan hold an event called “The Loudest Love Confession” - boys and girls climb onto the platform and take turns screaming love confessions with all their might.
How Valentine's Day is celebrated in other countries
It is customary for the French to give jewelry on Valentine's Day. And the romantic French were the first to introduce "valentines" as love messages-quatrains.
Balanced and calm Poles prefer to visit this day
Poznan metropolis, where, according to legend, the relics of St. Valentine rest, and his miraculous icon is located above the main altar. The Poles believe that if you pray to the image, it will definitely help in love affairs.
In Italy, Valentine's Day is celebrated in a very different way. The men of this country consider it their duty to present gifts to their beloved on this holiday, mostly sweets. This is probably why in Italy this day is called “sweet”.
Conservative Germans adhere to the point of view that Valentine is the patron saint of the mentally ill, so on this day they decorate psychiatric hospitals with scarlet ribbons, and special services are held in chapels.
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th. How did this holiday come about? Who is Saint Valentine? Why does everyone give valentines on this day? Let's talk about the origin of the holiday, what myths and legends are associated with this day.
Valentine's Day Holiday Origins: Legends and Myths
The Catholic Church venerates three holy martyrs with the name Valentine, but there is almost no reliable information about their lives. It is only known that Valentine of Rome was a priest and was martyred during the persecution of Christians in the 3rd century AD. e. Another Valentine was Bishop of Interamna (now the city of Terni, Italy). He was executed for his faith on February 14, 270 and buried near Rome. The saint is revered by both Catholics and Orthodox. About the third Valentine, we only know that he died in Carthage.
More detailed information about the holy martyrs appeared already in the era of the Mature Middle Ages (in the XI-XIV centuries). But at first they also lacked any romantic color. It is likely that the legends are about another saint or even different ascetics named Valentine.
Valentine's Day origin of the holiday: "Golden Legend"
According to legend, the Roman emperor Claudius II could not recruit enough soldiers for his army. Then he decided that it was wives who did not let their husbands go to war, and forbade young men to marry.
Saint Valentine was a healer and preacher of Christianity. He not only prayed for the sick, but also secretly married lovers, despite the prohibition of Tsar Claudius. Once a prison guard turned to him for help. He asked to heal his daughter Julia from blindness. The priest prescribed eye ointment for the girl and told her to come later.
However, rumors of secret weddings reached the emperor, and Saint Valentine was imprisoned. Knowing that he would soon be executed, Valentine wrote a suicide note to the blind Julia with a declaration of love and gave it to her through her father.
Valentin was executed on the same day, 14 February. When the girl opened the note, inside it was saffron and the signature "Your Valentine". Julia took the saffron in her hands, and her eyesight was miraculously restored.
Subsequently, as a Christian martyr who suffered for the faith, Valentin Interamnsky was canonized by the Catholic Church. And in 496, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 to be Saint Valentine's Day.
This story can be called a fiction, if only because in the time of St. Valentine (in the 3rd century) there was no special ceremony of church wedding at the conclusion of marriage. In addition, the Christian religion in pagan Rome was despised and persecuted, and it is unlikely that Emperor Claudius attached great importance to this rite.
Valentine's Day Holiday Origins: Pagan Roots
According to another version, the church needed Valentine's Day to supplant the pagan holiday. The Romans believed that the founders of their city, the brothers Romulus and Remus, were suckled by a she-wolf. In honor of this animal, "lupercalia" (from lupus - wolf) was celebrated. A goat (the food of wolves) and a dog (the animal most hated by the wolf) were sacrificed. Then the slaughtered animals were skinned and narrow belts were cut from their skins. Two naked young men took these belts and began a ritual run, during which they whipped everyone who came across their path with belts. Women and girls deliberately exposed various parts of the body to blows, as it was believed that this helps to become pregnant and give birth easily.
The sacred belts were called “februa”, from this word the name of the month came from, in the middle of which lupercalia was celebrated - “february” (February).
Valentine's Day Holiday Origins: Traditions
Valentine's Day began to gain wide popularity only in the 19th century in Great Britain. Later, the holiday began to be celebrated in the United States. On this day, young people had to draw notes from the bowl with the names of girls they knew. The couples that formed as a result were "Valentines" during the year and accepted signs of attention and courtship from each other.
In the middle of the 19th century, merchants took up the promotion of the holiday. On February 14, lovers arrange romantic dates for each other, buy heart-shaped cards - “valentines” - and other cute gifts: plush toys, perfumes, bouquets of flowers, sweets, etc.
Different countries have their own traditions of celebrating Valentine's Day. So, in Japan it is customary to give chocolate. On this day, a Japanese woman can, without hesitation, confess her love to a man.
In England, on February 14, the girls guessed at the betrothed. There was such a belief: if you see a robin on this day, it means that your husband will be a sailor, a sparrow - you will marry a poor man, a goldfinch that you met foreshadowed a rich husband.
At the beginning of the 19th century in America, it was customary for brides to give marzipans - a rather expensive delicacy at that time. Now women are given chocolate, sweets and caramel in red and white colors, symbolizing love and purity.
The French give jewelry and jewelry to their chosen ones.
Many people believe that if you propose on February 14 or get married on that day, the marriage will be happy and strong.
At the same time, Saint Valentine himself and the religious origins of the holiday are rarely remembered.
Valentine's Day origin of the holiday: Orthodox and Catholics
Saint Valentine is revered by both the Catholic and Orthodox churches. In the Catholic liturgical calendar, February 14 is the commemoration of Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius.
The Hieromartyr Valentine remained on the lists of the church, but only as a locally venerated saint, since historical information about his deeds is extremely scarce. Thus, this holiday is not obligatory for either Catholics or Orthodox.
Valentine's Day came to Russia relatively recently. He began to gain popularity only in the early 1990s.
On January 15, 2003, the Bishop of the Italian city of Terni, Vincenzo Paglia, donated to His Holiness Patriarch Alexy the relics of the Hieromartyr Valentine, which have since been kept in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
In the Orthodox Church, two martyrs Valentine have their own commemoration days. Valentine the Roman - presbyter - is venerated on July 19, and the holy martyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna - on August 12.
In the Orthodox tradition, Saints Peter and Fevronia have been considered the patrons of the family and marriage since ancient times. In 2008, the Federation Council of Russia approved the initiative to establish on the day of their memory (July 8, new style, which corresponds to June 25, old style) "Day of Marital Love and Family Happiness."
According to http://www.aif.ru/
In its modern form, there are more than 16 centuries. But the holiday takes its origins much earlier - its prerequisites appeared several centuries before our era.
Lupercalia is an ancient Roman celebration of fertility. They arose in honor of the love of the goddess of passion Juno Februata and the god Faun (Luperka). From the nickname of God, the name of the holiday subsequently arose, which for a long time was celebrated on February 15th.
A few centuries before our era, ancient Rome was overwhelmed by a wave of miscarriages, stillborn children and infant mortality. The people were on the verge of extinction. Therefore, families without children or families with one or two children participated in various rituals to receive blessings from the gods for the birth of a child. So, every year on February 15 in the same place in Rome, where, according to legend, the she-wolf (Lupa - from Latin) fed the founders of the city (Remus and Romulus), the celebration of Lupercalia took place. Animals were sacrificed to the glory of the gods, from the skins of which whips were made. Men stripped naked and ran around the city with whips in their hands. They were scourges of all the ladies they met, and they, in turn, were happy to substitute them. It was believed that such blows increase the ability to bear children and ensure easy childbirth. At the end of the celebration, women were also completely naked.
Famous people also took part in the celebration of eroticism. For example, it is known for certain that Mark Antony played the role of Luperk more than once.
The Romans were very fond of such celebrations. Therefore, even with the advent of Christianity, it was Lupercalia that survived longer than all pagan customs.
In 494 AD, Pope Gelasius nevertheless canceled the Lupercalia and, according to some sources, transformed the pagan holiday into the Christian Valentine's Day, and ranked Valentine among the saints. It is not known for certain whether Gelasius founded this holiday, but that the holiday was named after a real person named Valentine, who sacrificed his life in the name of love, is beyond doubt.
Legends of Valentine
In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, various versions of the life of the Christian Valentine appeared in Europe. There are several versions of what exactly he did to go down in world history forever.
"Golden" legend
During the reign of the cruel emperor Claudius II, the Romans were forbidden to marry. The emperor believed that the family and children had a detrimental effect on men - they were distracted by feelings and showed themselves worse on the battlefield. It is possible to forbid formalizing relations, but not a single emperor can impose a ban on love. People continued to fall in love, and a simple doctor and priest Valentine helped them legitimize their relationship before God. He sympathized with loving couples, and married them at night.
Upon learning of Valentine's "forbidden activities", the emperor ordered his death. In prison, the benefactor fell in love with the warden's daughter, Yulia. He wrote her a love letter (Valentine), signing - "your Valentine". Julia read it only after the death of her beloved. The saint was executed on February 14, 269.
"Salvation of the Servants"
According to another version, Valentine belonged to a famous Italian family. He secretly converted to Christianity and made his servants Christians. During the wedding of two lovers who served Valentine, all three were captured and placed in prison. Since the patricians (representatives of the ruling class) had immunity, nothing threatened Valentine. But the servants were sentenced to death. A Christian wrote a letter in the form of two red hearts - symbols of Christianity. A blind girl was supposed to hand it over, but Valentine himself showed up in prison. He persuaded the jailers to exchange two lovers for his life. Before his death, Valentine gave the blind girl a letter full of love and hope. Her eyesight returned and she grew into a real beauty.
Celebration in Medieval Europe
The tradition of celebrating Valentine's Day was finally strengthened in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. This was especially facilitated by English and French poets. In the poem "Bird Parliament" by Jeffrey Chaucer and the ballads of J. Gower, the name of the holiday is mentioned more than once in the version we are used to. In the works on February 14, birds begin to look for their pairs.
An invariable attribute of Valentine's Day - valentines. Postcards in the form of scarlet hearts were created by the Duke of Orleans at the beginning of the 15th century. While imprisoned in the Tower, he missed his wife and sent love letters to pass the time. In the 18th century, valentines became widespread.
How is the holiday celebrated now?
Valentine's Day does not go unnoticed by lovers in almost any country. But the traditions of celebrating everywhere have their own peculiarities.
In Russia
In Russia and throughout the post-Soviet space, February 14 has been celebrated only since the beginning of the 20th century. The holiday is secular. Representatives of the Catholic and Christian churches are ambivalent about the veneration of St. Valentine. Some note that the veneration of the martyr Valentine continued for a long time - until the reform of the 1960s. Others call the celebration in honor of the saint "optional". But in any case, all lovers do not forget to congratulate their “halves”, presenting them with valentines, teddy bears, flowers or sweets.
In Great Britain
Thanks to the “Bird Parliament” by J. Chaucer, who said that birds form families on February 14, in England, not only people, but also English pets (especially dogs and horses) receive love messages. Unmarried ladies on this day guess as follows: they get up before dawn and stand at the window. The man who catches their eye will be the betrothed.
An obligatory attribute of the celebration in Wales is handmade wooden spoons and decorated with keys, locks and hearts. This tells the recipient that they have found their way into the heart of the giver.
in Italy
February 14 in this southern European country is called "sweet". This holiday got its name due to the fact that the Italians on this day without fail give their beloved any sweet gifts. It is also customary to send incognito postal valentines in a pink envelope.
In Spain
A message to a valentine by mail in this hot country is accepted as standard. But the use of carrier pigeons is the height of the manifestation of passionate feelings for the addressee.
In Finland
February 14 in Suomi is considered the Day of Love. Finns give heart-shaped gifts not only to their loved ones, but also to mothers. Since there is no analogue of March 8 there.
In Japan
It has been celebrated since the 1930s. On this day, the Japanese arrange a traditional competition for the loudest declaration of love. Those wishing to take turns from the bridge confess their feelings to their halves. Whoever does it the loudest wins.
The main gift is chocolate. Moreover, a woman should do it to her lover and friends (polite chocolate). A gift from a husband or boyfriend on February 14 is regarded as an unmanly act. A man should make a return compliment a month later on a “white” day. A woman receives white chocolate from her betrothed.
In Denmark
In this country, Valentine's Day is celebrated cheerfully and noisily, arranging parties, concerts, and performances. Traditionally, they give dried or fresh white flowers, postcards with love content. Congratulations to all - loved ones, friends, colleagues.
In France
It was the French who introduced the tradition of composing quatrains for their loved ones in honor of the holiday. Of the gifts in the highest esteem - jewelry. The French also like to give: romantic trips, pink yogurts, lottery tickets, heart-shaped sausage, underwear, chocolate mousses, lottery tickets.
Also, the French like to arrange all kinds of romantic competitions, for example, for the longest serenade.
The tradition of giving red roses was introduced by Louis XVI. It was he who gave these flowers to Marie Antoinette. According to legend, Aphrodite stepped on white roses and stained them with her blood.
In Holland
On this day, ladies have every right to approach the man they like and say: “Be my husband!”. And it won't look vulgar. If a man does not agree to start a family with a brave woman, he will be obliged to buy her a silk dress.
IN THE USA
The celebration of Valentine's Day in North America began in the late 18th century. Very quickly, the holiday was commercialized - now almost no one makes valentines with their own hands. But everything is in order in the trade sphere: valentines take the second place, after Christmas, in the volume of sales of greeting cards.
Since the 19th century, there has been a tradition of giving marzipans and figurines made from them. In those days, these products were very expensive due to the inclusion of scarce sugar in the composition. On February 14, Americans congratulate not only their soul mates, but also their parents, grandparents, and friends.
In Georgia
An alternative holiday to Valentine's Day is Love Day. It is celebrated on April 15th. However, this does not prevent romantic Georgians from celebrating and confessing tender feelings to their loved ones at least twice a year - the more often, the better!
In Germany
Valentine among the Germans is considered the patron saint of mentally ill people, not lovers. Therefore, on February 14, it is customary to decorate psychiatric clinics with red ribbons. There is a special service in the chapels.
In Poland
The Poles are sure that the relics of St. Valentine are located on the territory of modern Poland - in the Poznań Metropolis. Therefore, many lovers go there to bow to the miraculous icon. They are sure that it will help in love affairs.
In Saudi Arabia
Celebration is prohibited. Otherwise, serious fines are imposed on the violator.
Date in 2019: .
If there was no holiday for All Lovers, it would be worth inventing it. On February 14, millions of loving people from different countries bring their beloved pieces of their hearts in the form of congratulations and gifts. How is Valentine's Day celebrated in Russia and other countries of the world?
The eternal love story originates from the time of paganism. Over its centuries-old history, it has acquired many beautiful legends, beautiful tales.
And while loving hearts will beat, Valentine's Day will exist and gain new fans.
The prototype of Valentine's Day was an erotic festival held in ancient Rome. Lupercalium - the so-called unusual holiday, the purpose of which was to increase the birth rate. As usual, during any celebration, the Romans glorified the gods. And at the erotic festival honor fell to Juno. The goddess patronized all women, and, of course, family life and motherhood.
During the holiday, girls who had not yet been lucky enough to find a mate wrote their name on parchment. All notes were collected in one huge basket. It was the boys' turn to tease fate. They blindly chose the note. Only a happy chance could unite loving hearts, everyone else had to live for the next year with the chosen one that fate had given him. This festival took place on February 14th.
And literally the next day, the second stage of unusual fun took place. Young people of unearthly beauty had the honor to run through the streets of the city in the nude. In their hands were belts with which the young people tried to whip the ladies and young ladies who got in the way. And if anyone thinks that the Romans resisted, they are greatly mistaken. The girls gladly substituted their soft spots, not forgetting to throw off their clothes.
Similar holidays were held not only in Rome, but among almost all the people who worshiped various gods. The meaning of such holidays was not so much in the canonization of high relations, but in procreation and veneration of their deities.
Valentine's Day: the history of the holiday
When Christianity came to Rome, the priests began to replace pagan holidays by any means. Making ordinary people celebrate new and unfamiliar celebrations is not easy, but changing the name or changing the meaning of a native holiday for centuries is quite simple. It was this idea that the church took advantage of.
Pagan celebrations and festivals were replaced by a new feast of lovers. The Catholic Church proclaimed Valentine's Day. And Valentine himself is canonized as the patron saint of all lovers. This happened in 496.
Why did this saint get such an honor? What actions glorified him during his lifetime? There are different legends about Valentine, but they are all related to love stories.
One of the legends tells about the extraordinary healing abilities of Valentine, for which he was imprisoned. However, grateful people passed notes to the healer with requests and thanks even to prison. The guard, who got such a note into his hands, did not raise a fuss, but brought his blind daughter to Valentine. He was able to restore the girl's sight, and a flame of love flared up between the young people. But the end of the story is sad. The guy was executed, and before his death, he sent it to his beloved with words of love, which he signed: “Your Valentine”
Another sad legend tells of Valentine as a fearless priest of ancient Roman times. Julius Claudius II, who ruled in those days, issued an order forbidding legionnaires to start families so that the army would become stronger and more numerous. But he could not forbid the warriors to fall in love.
Under pain of execution, all the clergy refused to unite the hearts in love. Only Valentine decided on such a feat, who continued to conduct wedding ceremonies for soldiers. For this he was sentenced to death. Already in the cell, he saw a beautiful girl and fell in love with her. It was the daughter of a security guard, who also liked the guy. But they were never lucky enough to open up to each other. She read the note that Valentine gave to his beloved only on the night of February 14, but in the morning they managed to execute the guy, without letting him speak to his beloved.
The history of valentines
The tradition of giving notes to loved ones appeared in the 15th century. Prior to this, lovers exchanged signs of their feelings in other ways. They often sang, played musical instruments, danced and expressed their feelings in words or in poetry.
The most famous Valentine is considered to be a note from the Duke of Orleans to his wife. He wrote to her from the dungeons of the prison, and the heart-shaped note itself is still kept in the museum.
Since the 18th century, postcards and notes in the form of hearts have gained particular popularity. They are given as tokens of special attention. Young ladies and young people decorate postcards with lace, write love messages on them. Vintage hearts look simply gorgeous, they cannot be compared even with modern ones printed in a printing house. But if you wish, you can still make magnificent crafts in the form of hearts, valentines or postcards with your own hands today.
How is Valentine's Day celebrated?
St. Valentine's Day has long lost its religious background, and ancient customs are completely forgotten. Over the 16-century history, it has acquired many new shades, and each nation has embellished Valentine's Day with their customs and rituals. And let some skeptics treat the supposedly alien Catholic holiday with contempt. Lovers of many countries on February 14 continue to enjoy an unusual sweet holiday and send signals of their love. Indeed, for true love there are no state borders or religious prohibitions.
And yet, each country has its own traditions and rituals associated with the celebration of Valentine's Day in February.
France. The French love to show off. They came up with the idea of giving jewelry on Valentine's Day. And also messages in verses. Love quatrains in French are like music. It is impossible to remain indifferent after a declaration of love in the language of love.
The holiday came to America only in 1777 and immediately became a favorite. Practical Americans came up with the idea of giving candies and sweets in the form of hearts on Valentine's Day.
Italy. For the Italians, passionate feelings are not alien, which quickly flare up into a real flame. Lovers congratulate each other on February with cakes, sweets and pastries.
Finland. It is an honor for hot Finnish guys to congratulate the young ladies on Valentine's Day. Indeed, in the country the holiday is practically equated to March 8th.
Japan. In this country, men are more fortunate. Here it is customary to congratulate the representatives of the stronger sex with appropriate gifts. Women will receive return gifts exactly one month later on March 14 for White Chocolate Day.
Poland. It is in Poland that the relics of St. Valentine are located. Here is the holy miraculous image. It is to him that pilgrims go with requests and for blessings. And, most interestingly, the saint does not leave a single request without attention - he works miracles even centuries after his execution.
Russia. Valentine's Day came to us in the 90s, like many other Western celebrations. There is an opinion that a Catholic holiday cannot become native for Orthodox Christians. But is it possible to force lovers not to exchange tender words, gifts and valentines. Valentine's Day in Russia quickly found millions of fans. And every year, with joy and tenderness in our hearts, we try to congratulate not only our loved ones, but also all people dear to our hearts.
Congratulations in prose and poetry
Happy Valentine's Day, I congratulate you today. And I want to fall in love with all my heart, so that forever. Love true, devoted and without looking back. So that feelings are mutual with understanding, patience and devotion. I wish you earthly love, but a little sublime, simple, but endless, dear, but incredibly sweet.
I remember the warmth of your hands
And I look into the depths of your eyes.
And let my tender words sound.
On Valentine's Day, rejection will not be known.
Happy Valentine's Day
I congratulate you today.
And feelings strong, deep
I wish from the bottom of my heart.
And let hundreds of sincere confessions.
Secret expectations will not be deceived.
Larisa , February 9, 2017 .