History, Customs ,Traditions

THE HISTORY OF VALENTINE'S DAY

• The celebrations of St. Valentine's Day are steeped in legends and mystery.

• Who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?

THE FIRST LEGEND

One legend contends that Valentine was a

priest who served during the third

century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better

soldiers than those with wives and

families, he outlawed marriage for young

men.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape

harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten

and tortured.

THE SECOND LEGEND

THE THIRD LEGENDIt is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his

jailor's daughter — who visited him in the prison.

Before his death, the man wrote her a letter, which he

signed “From your Valentine”, an expression

that is still in use today. It's no surprise that by the

Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular

saints in England and France.

MIDDLE AGES

Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England

that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine's Day —

should be a day for romance.

LOVE NOTES

In all legends there is one thing- the presence of a letter or a note to the lover. Now they are called "Valentines".The peak of their

popularity, "Valentines" reached in the

eighteenth century, particularly in England.

People used colored paper and colored ink.

THE MOTHER OF THE VALENTINE

The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting

cards produced in the U.S. were created in the

1840s by Esther A. Howland. She made

elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and

colorful pictures known as "scrap".

DID YOU KNOW?

Approximately 150 millions Valentine's

Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's

Day the second most popular card-sending

holiday after Christmas.

Approximately 85% of all valentines are

purchased by women.

ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE VALENTINES

Handwritten poem, "To Susanna" dated

Valentine's Day, 1850 (Cork, Ireland)

Esther Howland Valentine, circa 1850: "Weddings now are all the go, Will you marry me or no"?

Valentine's Day Roses Valentine's Day Hearts Cupid Lovebirds & Doves

Love Knots Valentines Day Lace

There are several symbols attached to the romantic

festival of Valentine's Day. Each of these Valentine's Day Symbols has an interesting.

Over the years these symbols have become a part of the Valentine's Day Tradition.

ATTRIBUTES OF THE HOLIDAY

GREAT BRITAIN

Valentine's Day began to be popularly

celebrated around the seventeenth century.

It was common for friends and lovers to

exchange handwritten notes. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to

express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's

feelings was discouraged.

WALES

Wales is famous for its so-called "love spoons". Before the holiday lovers cut out of wood a

spoon, decorate it with hearts, keys and give to each other. Such present means: “You have

found a way to my heart".

RUSSIA

In Russia there is the holiday of family and love- Ivan Kupala Day, which is celebrated on July 8 and associated with the legendary love story of Peter and Fevronia. Since 2008, 8

July is officially declared in Russia as the Day of family, love and fidelity. Young people are

fond of foreign tradition and celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14

ICELAND

In Iceland this holiday symbolizes passionate love. There is an interesting ritual in this country: the girls

hang on the neck of the guys pieces of coal, while those hang on theirs small stones. The main idea of this is that the head off flames on the day Wali while rubbing the stone on the stone has a spark.

FINLAND AND ESTONIA

In Finland Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day".

This day is more about remembering all your friends, not only your loved ones.

In Estonia Valentine's Day is called Sõbrapäev, which has the same meaning.

SLOVENIA

In Slovenia, St Valentine or Zdravko was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health. It has been celebrated as the day of the first

work in the vineyards. Valentine's Day has only recently been celebrated as the day of

love.

SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN

In South Korea, similar to Japan, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give

non-chocolate candy to women on March 14 (White Day).

On April 14 (Black Day), those who did not receive anything on the 14th of February or March go to a

restaurant to eat black noodles.

PROJECT WORK