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 Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. But the ancient Romans had bloodier, drunker and more naked notions to mark the occasion. In this article, we take a look at the various historical and cultural influences that have shaped Valentine’s Day. From the mysterious figure of Saint Valentine and the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia to the medieval traditions of courtly love and the commercialization of the holiday in the modern era, we explore how February 14th became the day to celebrate love. St. Valentine, a name that is synonymous with love and romance across the globe, lived at a time when the Roman Empire was at its zenith. He is often best remembered for the act of marrying couples in secret defiance of the Roman Emperor's bans. However, the truth about St. Valentine is far more complex, woven from a mixture of historical fragments, religious tradition, and folklore. This has The Evolution of Valentine's Day Traditions. Unsplash. Valentine's Cards and Letters. One of the earliest known Valentine's Day letters dates back to 1415, when Charles, Duke of Orléans, wrote a Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, and the rest is this history. And yes, the thought of someone literally losing their head isn't exactly what we mean in The Pagan Roots of Valentine’s Day: The Festival of Lupercalia. The Valentine’s Day origin can be traced back to ancient Roman celebrations, specifically the Festival of Lupercalia. This festival, which took place from February 13 to 15, was primarily a celebration of fertility and purification. When did Valentine’s Day cards become commercially produced? Valentine’s Day cards started to be mass-produced in the 19th century. Esther A. Howland, an American, is often credited with creating the first commercial Valentine’s Day cards in the 1840s. Why are roses associated with this day? You may have read Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" in a high school English literature class, but the poet is also thought to be the source of our modern ideas about Valentine's Day In his 1382 poem Parlement of Foules, Chaucer wrote: “For this was on St. Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.”During Chaucer's time, birds began pairing off and mating around mid-February, and soon the European nobility started sending love notes around this time of year. 174 Valentines Day Quotes. Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate the power of love and the special bond shared between two people. It is a day dedicated to expressing affection, appreciation, and gratitude for the one you hold dear, which is strange really as love shows 365 days a year! Like every major holiday, Valentine’s Day comes packed to the brim with numerous TV specials set during the most romantic time of the year. Brilliantly exploring the idyllic undertones of the Valentine’s Day season, these TV specials manage to underscore the meaningful connection formed between two characters around the holiday. These Valentine's Day quotes are perfect for lovers, friends, putting in cards or just reflecting on what love means to you. 1 Walter Winchell. Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you. The gimmick around this 2025 slasher is that the infamous Heart Eyes Killer strikes on Valentine’s Day with only one intention: To murder couples enjoying the occasion. What a love-grinch! One fateful Valentine’s Day, the killer targets two co-workers putting in overtime, presuming them to be a couple. Valentine's Day is fast approaching and with it comes all the pink and red merch, sweet treats and extra-special date nights. But remember: Sharing some heartfelt words in a Valentine's Day card message (and V-Day caption on Instagram) is always one of the best ways to celebrate. Stumped on what to write in a Valentine’s Day card? Try these sweet Valentine's Day wishes, funny messages and cute quotes. Search. Subscribe; "It is a curious thought, but it is only when Cute Greetings for a Valentine's Day Card. From your crush to a sweet friend, cute Valentine's messages can show off your playful side. Add one of these notes to your card to spread a little Valentine's Day cheer. Related Articles. 60 Cute Cocktail Names for When You're Feeling Adorable; 39 Beach Activities for Kids to Have the Best Summer Yet Wild is the perfect film to watch for those spending Valentine’s Day alone, because it embodies self-reflection and the courage to move forward alone — no matter how uncertain the path ahead may seem. Her (2013) A thought-provoking exploration of love in the modern age. There are still plenty of cards, yes–and it’s still so fun to mail a Valentine’s Day card!–but check out my list, below, of all my favorite other Valentine’s Day crafts that you can also make out of paper. Hopefully writing your name 20 times won’t be part of the challenge this year! 3D Hearts 3D hearts image via Suburbia Unwrapped You’re the glaze to my donut. The sweet to my heart. Happy Valentine’s Day, J.J.! Love you to the moon and back. Every day. Forever. Love that you’re my Valentine, Chad. Happy Valentine’s Day! I thought I couldn’t love you more, Piper. But I do. I love you this much. Times a million! Happy Valentine’s Day, Rob! Together forever.
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