History , Customs , Traditi ons
Dec 23, 2015
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