The tradition of giving flowers on Valentine's Day is believed to have originated in the 17th century, when King Charles II of Sweden introduced the “language of flowers,” or floriography. The Rise of Valentine’s Day Flowers. By the 19th century, Valentine’s Day had become a well-loved holiday for expressing affection, and flowers naturally took center stage. Their beauty and fragrance made them ideal gifts, and their meanings added a romantic touch. Roses in particular soared in popularity, with red roses dominating the market. Valentine’s Day is widely recognized as a celebration of love and affection, but the origins of the day are somewhat ambiguous. As the holiday evolved from a blend of Roman rituals, Christian traditions, and medieval courtly love through centuries, chocolates and flowers became nearly synonymous with February 14. But why are these two items the default symbols of romance on Valentine’s Day Roses are synonymous with Valentine’s Day and have long been the symbol of love. The Society of American Florists estimates that 250 million roses are produced just for February 14. 83% of all flowers purchased for Valentine’s Day are roses, according to SAF , with red roses being the highest percentage color of roses bought at 65%. The first instance of St. Valentine’s Day having anything to do with romance came in 1382 from English poet and writer Geoffrey Chaucer in his 700-line poem Parlement of Foules. The history of Valentine’s Day and the language of flowers, also known as floriography, is a fascinating topic full of interesting stories and cultural traditions. The origins of Valentine’s Day The origins of Valentine’s Day can be traced back over 2000 years ago to ancient Rome. Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated every February 14; this year Valentine's Day falls on a Friday. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts By the early 1910s, an American company that would one day become Hallmark began distributing its more official "Valentine's Day cards." Universal Images Group / Getty Images A Valentine’s Day postcard from 1910. Every year on Feb. 14, millions of people exchange the flower to express their love — and upwards of 250 million are produced annually for Valentine’s Day, as of 2018, according to the Society About a century after flowers became a customary gift, another development would change the face of Valentine's Day forever. The Spaniards introduced chocolate to Europe in the 1500s, but it wasn't until the late 1700s, and the invention of the steam engine, that mass production of the luscious treat became possible. 7. The tradition of giving Valentine's Day flowers dates back to the 17th century. Giving red roses may be an obvious romantic gesture today, but it wasn't always! The history of Valentine’s Day goes back to 3rd century Rome with the execution of a priest named Valentinus known today as St. Valentine. Every February 14th, millions across the globe send their loved ones heart-shaped cards and Valentine’s Day chocolates to express their love and affection. Valentine's Day Flowers Meaning. Valentine's Day facts and history revolve mostly around one emperor and Saint Valentine. During Emperor Claudius II's reign, he canceled all marriages throughout Rome in order force the men who didn’t want to leave their wives and families to enlist in the army. Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14 every year, is synonymous with love, romance, and heartfelt gestures. Couples exchange cards, flowers, chocolates, and tokens of affection, while others take the day to appreciate their friendships and family bonds. Valentine’s Day is commonly celebrated by exchanging handmade or store-bought “Valentines” (greeting cards) or other tokens of affection like chocolates and flowers. In many schools, it has become customary for young students to bring in Valentines to swap with classmates. The tradition of giving red roses on Valentine’s Day can be traced back to the Victorian era when the language of flowers (floriography) was popular. Red roses symbolize love and passion. How is Valentine’s Day celebrated around the world? Valentine’s Day is celebrated in various ways worldwide. Why roses are given on Valentine's Day goes back to ancient times. Several important historical and cultural factors have shaped this custom: Ancient Origins. In ancient Rome, roses were the sacred flowers of the goddess of love. History of Valentine's Day and Why Flowers are the Perfect Gift by Stefan Karatzas 18 Jun 2023 Valentine’s Day is a day for love and romance. The Catholic Church doesn’t recognize St. Valentine’s Day on its calendar anymore, but people throughout the world still celebrate the day. CHANGING TRADITIONS. Valentine’s Day traditions have evolved a lot over the years. For example, in the Middle Ages—which lasted from the 5th to 15th centuries in Europe—people started exchanging
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