Past – History (I know you have heard it several times)

The History of Valentines day and its patron saint is still a mystery. There are lots of arguments going on regarding the exact origin and history regarding this day. St. Valentine’s Day has got both Christian and ancient Roman traditions attached to it. So, who was Saint Valentine? How did he become associated with Valentines Day? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. But all these Valentines were martyred for their stand for love and companionship till their last breath.

According to the most popular legend Valentine was a priest who lived 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. Valentine, realizing the injustice of this law, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Another legend says that Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl who may have been his jailor’s daughter who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Valentine was seen as a heroic and romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day gained popularity around the seventeenth century. t was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes by the middle of the eighteenth century. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.

Present (I don’t have to tell you this, do I?)

Today Valentine’s Day has become a traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine’s cards, or offering candy. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine’s Day. Different flowers presented during Valentines Day means different things. For example a Red rose means love, a yellow rose means friendship and orange rose means fascination.

In this internet era, e-cards have to some extent given way to traditional valentine’s greeting cards. Boyfriends are mostly gifted with wines, flowers, shirts, ties, wallets, gadgets or chocolates etc while girlfriends are gifted with flowers, chocolates, jewelry, a special romantic dinner etc.

Red Love; I love you; Desire; Passion; Courage; Respect
Red-Withered I would rather die; Our love is over
Deep Red Bashful
Burgundy Unconscious Love
White Innocence and purity; I am worthy of you; You’re heavenly, Charm and Innocence; Silence; Secrecy; Reverence and humility
Bridal White Happiness, love
White-Dried Death is preferable to loss of virtue
White-Whithered Transient impression; You made no impression; Fleeting beauty
Yellow Texas love; Joy and friendship; Joy and respect; Jealousy; Decrease of love; Try to care; Freedom
Pink Perfect happiness; Please believe me
Light Pink Gentle and graceful
Dark Pink Thankfulness; Gratitude
Orange Fascination
Peach Modesty; Appreciation; Admiration; Sympathy
Coral Desire
Lavender Love at first sight; Enchantment
Red and White Unity; An engagement
Rosebud Beauty and youth; A heart of innocent love; You are young and beautiful
Rosebud-Red Pure and lovely
Rosebud-White Girlhood
Thorn less Love at first sight
Bouquet of Mature Blooms Gratitude
Tea Roses I’ll always remember you
Single Full Bloom I love you; I still love you
Bridal Happy love
Red and Yellow Blends Jovial and happy feelings
Crown of Roses Beware of virtue; Reward of merit; Symbol of superior merit
Hibiscus Delicate beauty
Pale Colors Sociability; Friendship
Single Rose Simplicity
Two Roses(Taped or wired together) An engagement or coming marriage
Full blown Rose placed over two buds Secrecy
Leaves Symbol of hope
Roses-Sent every month Beauty ever new