What Does Valentine’s Day Mean

In today’s world, society the meaning of St Valentine’s Day means LOVE.  It’s a celebration of, whereby, men and women treat one another with loving affection; by doing romantic things towards one another.  Baring cards; gifts; meals; chocolates, all this contributes towards some kind of sexual romantic ritual to be alone together; on this special day 14th February, St Valentine’s Day.

How did St Valentine’s Day transpire?  Where did it come from?

All this originates from Pagan and Christian concepts, customs and beliefs.  It had been an attempt to convert Pagan traditions of Sexual festivities worshiping Gods and Idols.  Celebrating Lupercalia (known as the “festival of sexual license”).  On the Feast day of Juno Februata a Roman Goddess of Love (fever), purification and also for women and marriage:  These rituals used be celebrated on the 15th February and got changed to 14th February by ancient Romans done in honour of the Hunter God Lupercus of fertility, light and protection; they believed it would protect them from wolves devouring life stock and people.

How these ceremonies were done, were small pieces of paper with teenage girls names written on them put in a ballot boxes; would be drawn at random by teenage boys.  This would join them together as sexual partners for a year, also joining them in festivities and erotic games throughout Rome for the feast of Juno Februata.  This custom lasted for centuries with the ancient Romans.

The festival Juno Februata had been renamed to that of ‘Feast of Purification of the Virgin Mary’.  The dates were changed by Pope Gelasius from 14th to 2nd of February, then back to the 14th February known as Candlesmas day ‘The presentation of the Lord’ and also known as ‘The Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the feast of ‘The Protection of Christ’.

Christianity was the official religion of the Romans in A.D. 325.  Church leaders wanted to abolish Pagan festivals and ‘Lupercalia’ which was very high on their list. It was not until A.D. 496 the Church of Rome was powerless to rid the festival of ‘Lupercalia’; Instead Pope Gelasius changed the dates from the 15th to the 14th February and called it St Valentine’s Day as mentioned earlier.  (After one of the church’s Saints who had been executed in A. D. 270 by a Roman Emperor for his beliefs).

According to Catholicism it is known three St Valentine’s all of them martyrs.  One a Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), one a priest at Rome, the other who suffered in Africa with his companions, who is not identified: Several men named Valentine, who had been made Saints, were merged in to one official day, St Valentine’s Day as we know it today.

The church could not totally eliminate ‘Lupercalia’.  So they decided to put names of Saints to be elected to be drawn unsystematically by teenage boys and girls, for them to emulate the Saints life, chosen.  The church saw it as ‘Christianizing it’ from pagan ways. 

Men still practised ‘Lupercalia’ under a water-downed version, by sending woman romantic messages and notes, declaring their undying love, under the name of St Valentine.  Over the centuries by using this method, cards started to evolve at the end of the 18th and early 19th centuries.  These cards would be decorated with painted pictures of flowers; cupid; hearts and even lace attached to them were used instead for St Valentine’s Day.

Where does the actual name Valentine come from?  It derives from a Latin word Valentinus – Valens ‘”to be strong and mighty”‘.  It is portrayed through religious principles from the bible where it is described ‘a man named Nimrod who was mighty and strong hunted before the Lord with a bow and arrow’.

People of the world took on this Roman mythology and used the Latin word Valentinus – Valens in their own native language where they worshiped their own gods. The Romans initially copied Greek mythology.

The Greeks – Lupercus was known as the hunter God.  The Romans – Lupercus was known as the hunter God, and also known as Pan God of light.  The Phoenicians worshipped the same as the Roman and Greeks.  Therefore, their Lupercus was known as Baal, the Sun God.  Baal was one of many different names for Nimrod, ‘A Mighty Hunter, Especially of Wolves, and the list goes on and on.  Out of all of these mythical names of Gods, Cupid the God of desire, affection and erotic love, the son of Venus the Goddess of Love, beauty, sex and fertility arose.  The Pagan devotion for ‘Lupercalia’ developed in to religious Christianity faith; it all progressed from the bible.

All of this when you look through the eyes of Christianity and its beliefs from the bible; ‘.Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  ‘Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD’.  Is not what ‘God’ did; make man in his own image; if you are a believer in God then you would agree.  If you are a Romantic and A lover then you must believe in the God of Cupid (desire), and the Goddess Venus. (Love) to this you would agree, which of these Gods do you believe in?

St Valentine’s Day is all about loving relationships, who you Love and Cherish. Also, if someone admires you would like to get to know you; so you can be loved and can love back.

The Picture of Whitney Houston came from the below site

 http://www.picgifs.com/celebrities/whitney-houston/8526/celebrities-whitney-houston-586954/

© Copyright 2012

This poem was written to how I had seen relationships and marriages break down and break up with no reconciliation, due to various circumstances, that destroyed the love between couples.

Valentine Won’t You Be Mine

Valentine! Valentine! Won’t you be mine?

No more lies only but truths.

It does not matter what age you are,

Be it young, be it old

Stand up and be bold.

Don’t let the years roll by,

As time will fly.

Some say love is strong,

People do try to interfere.

Don’t be beaten, don’t break, don’t fear.

Because at last wedding bells you hear.

Valentine! Valentine won’t you be mine.

The day arrives with love, joy and pride,

You the groom, and your bride.

No more mud slinging, No more dirt.

From times that have gone by with hurt.

From people who lied and made trouble,

Out of jealousy, greed that’s a double!

The feelings that are about to be destroyed

Made you the groom and your bride annoyed.

Because the years did not pass

And now you are both happy at last.

Valentine, Valentine won’t you be mine.

© Copyright 2012

In the South, the women get up early in the morning and sweep the portion in front of their main gate and then wash the place by sprinkling water. Then they draw designs with the help of kolam powder or rice flour.

A simple kolam:

Image via Wikipedia

Originally, it was a custom to use rice flour to draw kolams. This was done in order to feed small insects like ants, and birds like sparrows and crows and creatures like the squirrels. Even today some women follow this while many have turned to using kolam powder made with limestone.

Kolams are beautiful designs drawn through lines – curved and straight – and some have dots kept before they are joined together to make a lovely design.

During days of festivals and celebrations, these kolams are drawn in big sizes and decorated with color powder to make them look more attractive. In Kerala, rangolis are decorated with flowers during a festival called Onam which marks the beginning of their New Year.

A colorful kolam on a festival day:

Image via Wikipedia

In South India, in Tamilnadu, kolam competitions are held and prizes are given for the best kolam. During the month of Margazhi (which is in December), women get up very early in the morning and draw these kolams with rice flour. This is supposed to be winter season and a time when ants and birds find it difficult to get food. Hence our ancestors had designed it this way of feeding the needy.

Image via Wikipedia

In the South, there is another way of drawing these kolams during festive seasons. Rice is soaked in water for an hour or two and then ground into a fine paste. Water is added to make it into a thin liquid. By wetting a small piece of cloth in this liquid, curves and lines are drawn to make a beautiful kolam. This looks bright when it gets dried. This kolam is bordered with a red powder (again wetted) called “Kaavi” in Tamil.

Image via Wikipedia

Another interesting aspect of this art is it helps the women as a form of exercise too as they have to bend down while drawing these kolams. So kolam also helps one to keep oneself fit… 

Now-a-days, individual houses have given way to many high rise apartments and flat systems have become common in cities. Hence there is no space for drawing kolams. Instead, flat owners paste kolam stickers in front of the doorstep. But in villages and small towns, kolam is still being drawn. People consider it a good omen also to have kolams in front of their gates. Though it is sad to see the decline of a beautiful art in cities, it is heartening to see it alive in some places at least.   

About a week ago, streams of red lanterns were strung around everyhere, arguably the most famous of the decorations that are festooned. Tasselled shaped cloth ornaments are hung up, usually in people’s houses or on the front of doors. The lanterns are strung everywhere, inside and out.

A few blocks from where I’m living, street sellers manning moving stalls have them all cluttered with strings of red and red: cloths of chilies, lanterns, the tasselled, and all sorts of dragon designs as well as keeping the precious decorations covered over with thick plastic tarpaulins. I repeat – it has and is raining – and this year’s animal or mascot sign is the dragon which, tying in the with the Spring Festival celebrations, means good luck and authority. The rest of the festival means happiness, contentment, getting together with friends, associates and family which is why Chinese go to town during this time and hand make their ‘Jaozi’ – dumplings, dough wrapped in meat fillings which are boiled.

Chinese, usually, find it hard to resist setting off bangers and pther fireworks. The Spring Festival celebrations are no exception. If you are looking for a quiet time because it’s the holidays, forget it. I was just hitting the sack the other night, thinking all was going to be quiet on the western front, when all of a sudden, firecrackers were set off – a five-minute din which sounded as though everything was crashing or raining down all around.

The wet weather has an unpleasant raw feeling – wet and an extra dose of cold clashing – so it wasn’t ideal for staying out too long.

The nearest supermarket was driving me nuts. I hate crowded places at the best of times, but shopping trolleys and bodies in the way was just the last straw, particularly as Chinese are absolutely unconscious of showing any consideration if they knock against or brush your body with themselves, their baskets, their trolleys. I kept my elbow out bent on purpose.

So, there you have them…some of the Chinese New Year Festival happening in a nutshell. They’re a bit like Christmas and New Year in the west, although not quite, either.

A New Years Resolution 

Now Christmas is past,

All the love, joy, and peace we share,

Has made me think at last,

New Year’s eve, will it be fair.

To grant everyone’s wishes,

To make sure no-one misses,

To stop famine, wars, abusiveness and pollution,

With these 12 days of Christmas,

With the New Year’s resolution.

Let the old year out!

The New year in without a doubt,

Is that not what Christmas is all about?

To keep Joy, love and peace,

To make sure word gets around,

For those people in need, close and dear,

All the year round,

Wishing everyone a Happy New year.

As the minutes tick by,

2011 will fly,

For all the world to see,

2012 will be.

No fuss, no fury, in the months to come,

O Lord, let your will be done.

Let the homeless be homed,

Let the abusiveness stop,

So there no tears to mop.

Let the world shine in peace,

Let there be love and joy,

For every man, woman, girl and boy.

Let the cruelty stop, to man’s best friend

Let the insanity end.

Let no-one be forgot

Auld Lang Syne.

© Copyright 2011

Happy New Year to you my friends, I wish you, this to be the best year of your life with the grace of God. In our place people used firecrackers but not that much as this place is a little out of the city limits and my fellow citizen are a bit orthodox type and have faith in old traditional ways of celebrations such occasions.

We danced Bhangara to the tunes of big drums and had a lot of fun you know the Punjabi ways. Some of them had some drinks but none was out of control. I was away for most of the day and came back in the evening to have fun with friends in the evening. This really was full of joy. There was nothing as smoky as I heard from some parts of our country and some other countries, where some people even died or injured seriously due to firecrackers.

The problem seems to be these days that people have, forgotten the good ways of the occasions and have taken every thing for simple fun and wasting money. I am not saying that fire crackers are as bad a thing which should not be used but going out of the way and overdoing it certainly too bad.

The way people are wasting so much of money on such unproductive things is really so disgusting, especially when the environment is on the stake. I am sure this needs a serious thinking before this is too late.

When Adolph Ochs, bought the New York Times way back in 1896, he decided that he wanted to mark the new HQ at One Times Square, earlier known as Longacre Square, with a suitably large celebration, coming up with the idea of the dropping ball and fireworks display that continues into the present. Ochs had the  ball modelled on what were dubbed  time balls, placed atop  buildings visible to sailors from far offshore, and dropped at predetermined times -  12 noon or 1pm – to help mariners keep accurate time for longitude calculations.

The Times Square Ball drop is viewed every New Year’s Eve by millions globally, but few realize just how much that ball has changed since the party started in 1907. Back then it was a ball made of wood and iron, five feet across, weighing in at seven hundred pounds and festooned with 100 light bulbs, the latest new technology back then.  The ball became a complete iron structure in the twenties, replaced by an Aluminium ball in 1955. The lights, however, remained pretty much unaltered until 1995.

Then a computer was introduced to control strobe lighting effects, and in truth there have been only two years, 1942 and 1943, when the lights played at New Year. The latest ball sits atop a 77ft tower, is 12ft in diameter and weighs almost 12,000lbs, the ball these days covered over with light emitting diodes –  32,256 red, blue, green and white varieties, allowing for all kinds of colour variations, as many as 16million differing shades of colour acheivable with this technology.

On a green note, the new lighting system is much more energy efficient than in 1907, the LEDs using 80% less energy. Control of the lights is viia Paderborn, Germany based company e-cue, so fine that each of the thirty thousand plus LEDs can be individually directed so that any pixel-based pattern can be created on the surface of the ball, including  video.

2,688 Waterford crystal triangles make up the sphere, into which the Waterford company  has worked four themes – Let There Be Love – Let There Be Courage – Let There Be Joy – Let There Be Light –  crystals all designed to withstand up to temperature stresses averaging about 33 degrees Fahrenheit on New Year’s Eve. The 2012 New Year’s Eve Ball carries the theme of Let There Be Friendship, a sentiment we should all be hapy to echo in our own celebrations.

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The headline will have had hundreds, if not thousands of teenage girls – and possibly some older than that – feeling shocked and horrified at the very idea that the object of their lustful fantasies might not actually swing their way at all, simply because he prefers company of young males instead, but that was not what the headline actually said.

Think about it for a moment – Justin Beiber Gay – then think about the time of year we are into, the season of good will to all men, of good cheer and merriment, of gifts and celebration, and then consider what the word gay actually means? It is Christmas time just past, when family and other loved ones offer gifts to those they care about.

Even idolised young media gods like Justin have people close to them, siblings, parents, good friends etc., and no doubt those loved ones will have been doing all they can to ensure that the young man has a truly happy festive season, full of joy and laughter.  Celebrations of this nature lead to great feelings of warmth and camaraderie, that very togetherness leading people to experience genuine gaiety in the things they choose to do with others.

This is the original, undiluted meaning of the term to be gay, nothing to do with sexual preference but all about the delicious, heady delights of simply having lots of fun in the company of those whom you care about and who care about you.  No Christmas or New Year party could ever truly be a success if it were not infused thoroughly by undisguised and unfettered gaiety, with all the accompanying merriment and laughter.

On this, the last day of 2011, a momentous year which has seen so much drama in this world of ours, we can all look forward to hearing the clock strike midnight, and toasting the advent of a new year in which we all get closer to realizing our dreams and ambitions. I fully intend that I should be at the very least a bit tipsy as I raise my glass to 2012, and like Justin Beiber and millions of others, I intend to feel very gay indeed.

Every year the big gift giving debacle comes to rest on the shoulders of determined shoppers somewhere around November 1st. By about November 15th, what was a light load and has become noticeable heavier as ideas and inspiration seem to be missing their target: you. It is especially difficult when considering your mother—she usually doesn’t want anything, and yet you know she is always thrilled to get something. However, the usual bevy of bathroom products just won’t cut it this year—something really unique is in order. This year, what could be better than some cashmere knitwear to really make her feel like she is appreciated for all that she does?

Cashmere products come in many shapes and sizes. Depending on your budget, there are a range of options, from scarves and gloves to robes and cardigans, to choose from. In reality, spending a little bit more than normal on a gift for her this Christmas might actually allow you to spend a little less on other gifts for her throughout the year as the value of a cashmere gift goes beyond it sticker price. Cashmere is an excellent way to show someone you care enough to give them the very best. Anything made from cashmere is a delight to own, and the softness and strength of the fibres make the warmest and most inviting products to own. Besides, if on Christmas morning all you usually see your mum opening involve being in the kitchen, taking a bath, or kneeling in the garden (which are all worthwhile pursuits) maybe it’s time she got something that simply said how much she is worth a little indulgence that is just for herself.

Cashmere can be bought anywhere from high street retailers to boutique shops to online dealers. Be sure and familiarize yourself with cashmere so you know you are getting the best deal for your money. A cashmere sweater—like pearls and champagne—is a timeless classic that will never go out of style. Buying something in cashmere for your mum is a way to guarantee a special Christmas morning.

Image by volantwish via Flickr

 For some, it is a reminiscent day of a remarkable past year and for others, it is a relieving holiday that marks the end what could have been a difficult year. Regardless, it is widely considered as an occasion to be celebrated in the most outstanding ways.

While New Year’s Eve parties can always commence at any point during the day, it is most commonly an evening event, with midnight signifying the most momentous hour. The countdown into the New Year is a recognized tradition that people worldwide partake in, even while observing parties from different time zones. The most popular way to ring in the New Year with a literal bang is with fireworks displays, which are prominent throughout many major cities in the world. Most major cities around the globe host vast varieties of celebrations, a large number of which are televised, to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

In Australia, one of the first major cities for New Year’s Eve celebrations due to the time zone, the largest celebration occurs in Sydney and is an event that is observed worldwide. Around 2 million people attend the Sydney city celebration that centers in the vicinity of the widely recognized landmark, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney’s glorious fireworks are a globally televised treat and the significant event is meticulously planned and usually centered on a specific theme.

England’s biggest party can be observed in London, where one of the world’s biggest fireworks displays launches off directly from the London Eye, lighting up the midnight sky and surrounding the city in colorful showers of light. The chimes on the historical Big Ben clock mark the traditional countdown into the New Year.

New York in the United States offers one of America’s biggest and most prestigious New Year’s Eve parties on the streets surrounding Times Square. Locals and tourists flock to the Square in the early hours of the morning just to save spots for the momentous countdown event. Surrounding the famous landmark are venues that offer musical and theatrical events that occur throughout the day in celebration of the end of the year. Considered the most watched televised event, the significant 10-second countdown is the highlight of the evening, during which a Waterford Crystal-made “New Year’s Eve” ball drops during the final 10 seconds from the One Times Square Building, coming to rest at the bottom of the building at exactly 12:00 AM. Showers of glittering confetti shoot from the sky and the city rejoices as the New Year is welcomed.

Brazil’s Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro has been considered the number one location to party for New Year’s Eve. With several different stages lining the beach, three stages are dedicated to a variety of music including highly danceable Brazilian pop tunes, rock music and sexy samba beats. The spectacular fireworks display launches directly from the huge main stage and everyone is dressed in Brazilian’s traditional white for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Approximately 2 million people flood the beach during New Year’s Eve and the event is remarkably spectacular.
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We all know, or think we know about our traditional Christmas holiday, but for some, celebrations start much earlier, or much later, and are by no means the same as our own. In Spain, the holidays begin on Dec. 8 on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, when an elaborate ritual dance is performed by boys on cathedral steps. Children in Spain receive gifts on Epiphany when the Magi re-enact their journey to Bethlehem. Shoes filled with straw are left on window sills for the horses of the wise men.

In Sweden, the eldest daughter in a family wears an evergreen wreath with candles on her head and serves coffee and buns to her family for breakfast on Dec. 13. This ritual remembers St. Lucia who carried food to the early Christians hiding from persecution in dark underground tunnels. To light the way, she wore a wreath of candles on her head.

In Iraq, families gather around lighted candles as children read the Christmas story. After the reading a bonfire of thorn bushes is lit. If the thorns burn to ashes, good luck will fill the year ahead. When the fire dies each person jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish. On Christmas day the priest also blesses one person with a touch. They then touch the one sitting next to them and this continues until all present have felt “the touch of peace.”

In Greece, 40 days of fasting precedes a Christmas feast, which always features “christopsomo” or Christ Bread. These large, sweet loaves are shaped and engraved with images that reflect the family’s profession.

To remember the star of Bethlehem, in Poland, the Christmas meal does not begin until the first star appears in the sky. The feast is made up of 12 courses, one for each apostle and an extra chair is set at the table for a stranger, or the Holy Spirit to share the meal.  Paper lanterns decorate the “Tree of Light” that is central to celebrations of Christmas in China, where children await visits from Dun Che Lao Ren, which means Christmas Old Man.

Mango and banana trees are decorated in India and small oil-burning lamps light the edges of rooftops as special decorations.  The first Christmas in Australia was celebrated in 1788 with a worship service and a toast to the King. That day’s goodwill to the convicts, who made up a large part of the country’s population took the form of leniency. Michael Dennison, who stole a pound of flour was granted only 150 lashes, instead of the 200 to which he was sentenced.

For many, the 17th Dcember is special, because The Lord of Misrule arrives. This is the first day of the Roman festival Saturnalia. It was a period of great feasting and festivity, with a lot of drinking and eating not unlike a modern Christmas party. Slaves would become masters for the festival, everything was turned upside down. This part of the Roman festival survived into the 17th Century in the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. A servant was made the Lord and organized the chaotic celebrations.

“La Posadas,” the remarkable build-up to Christmas Eve, is perhaps the most delightful and unique Mexican tradition. Beginning December 16th, it commemorates the events in the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and  this nine day festival is gaining in popularity.

Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe are used as Christmas decorations , but they predate Christian celebrations. Holly and ivy were used by the Romans,  during Saturnalia. Although many people still demand a celebratory kiss under the mistletoe, you are meant to pick one berry for each kiss. The ancient druids regarded mistletoe as a magical plant and are said to have harvested it with a golden sickle.

In Italy they have no Christmas trees, instead they decorate small wooden pyramids with fruit. The Christmas tree is an evergreen plant that symbolises life. It was sacred to the Druids who tied golden apples to its limbs, so decorating trees is an age-old custom. Egyptians brought green date palms indoors to symbolise life over death during the winter months.

16th century Germany popularized the idea of a decorated Christmas tree. Folklore tells us that Martin Luther was so amazed by the twilight stars that he brought a tree into his house and decorated it with candles to capture the moment. The first Christmas trees were decorated with candles, fruits, sweetmeats, gilded nuts, ribbons and small trinkets. During the Victorian Era glass blown ornaments became popular.

Lights illuminated many pagan winter festivals The Romans bound candles to trees during the festival of Saturnalia. During the Celtic ‘Imboli’ candles were placed in every window, and bonfires lit. During medieval times a giant candle was lit and was kept glowing until Twelfth night. Many people still leave a candle burning in the window to “light the way for Joseph”.

The Welsh, in ancient times, also decorated a Holly Tree in some areas, and practised the customs of throwing out Beans to release the demons, a similar tradition to the European custom of taking down all the Christmas decorations by Twelfth night or bad luck will befall. Originally, the date for taking down evergreens was 2nd February, thereby releasing the wood spirits, which had sheltered in the house during the winter.

A quaint legend surrounds decorating trees with tinsel. A mother decorated a tree for her many children. Late at night spiders spun webs to cover the tree. The Christ-child turned the webs into silver stands as a blessing. An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees. A spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck.

In Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, it is customary for the streets to be blocked off on Christmas eve so that the people can roller-skate to church. Father Christmas is called Papai Noel in Brazil. Many Christmas customs are similar to USA or UK. For those who have enough money, a special Christmas meal will be chicken, turkey, ham, rice, salad, pork, fresh and dried fruits, often with beer. Poorer people will just have chicken and rice.

Sending red Christmas cards to anyone in Japan constitutes bad etiquette, since funeral notices there are customarily printed in red. In Norway on Christmas Eve, all the brooms in the house are hidden because long ago it was believed that witches and mischievous spirits came out on Christmas Eve and would steal their brooms for riding.

Finally, you need to know that the Egyptians don’t even begin their celebrations until January 6th, officially, so you can appreciate just how long the Christmas celebrations last, if you hop around the world.  So think again about your own perceptions, where Xmas is concerned. There is much more to it than you might ever have believed.