A heartfelt celebration of love or over-commercialised nonsense? Whatever your stance on Valentine’s Day, it is difficult to avoid it.
It’s always commemorated on 14 February, which in 2023 falls on Tuesday, and has been associated with romance for hundreds of years.
But why is the date so associated with love, who actually was Saint Valentine, and how is the occasion marked around the world? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why is Valentine’s Day on 14 February?
No one is completely certain around the origin of the date, but there are plenty of theories.
Some, for example, believe St Valentine’s Day was placed on the date to mark the burial of Valentine of Rome.
Apparently, Gelasius scrapped it for Valentine’s Day to Christianise the pagan festival, but there is no proof of this.
The date is referred to in “Parchement of Foules”, a 1382 poem by Geoffrey Chaucer, which is believed to be the first time Valentine’s Day was associated with romance.
In that work, he wrote: “For this was on seynt Volantynys day / Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.”
This translates to: “For this was on St. Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.”
This is a reference to the start of birds’ mating season, which in Middle England was generally accepted to be on 14 February.
Valentine’s Day in something like its current form rose to prominence in the 18th century, with people beginning to send cards and give presents to their partners.
Who was Saint Valentine?
The celebration actually links to at least two saints – the aforementioned Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni – and possibly another of the same name about whom little is known.
Valentine of Rome was a Roman priest who was martyred in 296 and added to the calendar of saints by Pope Galesius in 496.
The story goes that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers, who were forbidden to marry, and for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire.
According to legend, during his imprisonment, Valentine of Rome restored sight to the blind daughter of his judge, and before his execution he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine”.
Valentine of Terni was a bishop who was martyred during the persecution by Emperor Aurelian in 273.
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How is Valentine’s Day celebrated around the world?
The date is marked in different and more unusual ways around the world. So if you are keen to change things up this year, here are some traditions from around the globe:
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on two different dates in Japan, with women presenting gifts to their loved ones on 14 February, and men later returning the favour on the White Day, which is celebrated a month later on 14 March.
Women typically give the gift of one of two types of chocolate.
One is called giri-choco, which is bought for friends, bosses, colleagues, or close male friends, while boyfriends and husbands are given hon-mei, usually prepared by the women themselves.
Slovenia
The date is associated with agriculture in Slovenia, and is considered the beginning of spring. It is often the day that workers head back to the fields, with many proposals occurring there.
Germany
The colour red will often be seen all across the country as a symbol of love and passion on Valentine’s Day, with bouquets of roses usually being an essential part of celebrations.
Children also often present heart-shaped gifts with messages of love to their parents, teachers and classmates, and baskets of chocolates and sweets are also traditionally given.
Argentina
Not content with celebrating love for just one day, Argentinians devote an entire week to the festival of love, known as ‘sweetness week’.
Held between 13 and 20 July, lovers exchange kisses for sweets, with the week of celebrations coming to an end with a friendship day as well.
South Korea
South Koreans can’t get enough of the romance and celebrate the day of love on the 14th day every month of the year.
Meanwhile, those who are single observe “the black day” in April, when they eat black noodles.
France
One traditional Valentine’s event in France was the loterie d’amour, in which hopeful singles would line up in houses facing each other and take turns calling through the windows until they were paired up.
The women left on their own then gathered afterwards for a bonfire ceremoniously burning images of the men who rejected them.
While many will celebrate the day with chocolates, flowers and romantic dinners, others opt for a more direct approach with some women pinning the name of their love on their sleeve for the day.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information on various topics, including Valentine's Day. I can provide you with information about the origin of Valentine's Day, the history of Saint Valentine, and how the occasion is celebrated around the world.
Origin of Valentine's Day
The exact origin of Valentine's Day is uncertain, but there are several theories. One theory suggests that Valentine's Day was placed on February 14th to Christianize a pagan festival. Another theory is that the date was chosen to commemorate the burial of Saint Valentine of Rome. The association of Valentine's Day with romance can be traced back to a 1382 poem by Geoffrey Chaucer called "Parlement of Foules," where he wrote about birds choosing their mates on St. Valentine's Day.
Saint Valentine
Valentine's Day is associated with at least two saints: Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. Valentine of Rome was a Roman priest who was martyred in 296 and later added to the calendar of saints by Pope Gelasius in 496. According to legend, he performed weddings for soldiers, who were forbidden to marry, and ministered to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire. It is said that he restored sight to the blind daughter of his judge and wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" before his execution. Valentine of Terni was a bishop who was martyred in 273 during the persecution by Emperor Aurelian.
Celebration of Valentine's Day around the world
Valentine's Day is celebrated in various ways around the world. Here are some traditions from different countries:
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Japan: In Japan, Valentine's Day is celebrated on two different dates. On February 14th, women present gifts, usually chocolates, to their loved ones. A month later, on March 14th, known as White Day, men return the favor by giving gifts to women.
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Slovenia: In Slovenia, Valentine's Day is associated with agriculture and is considered the beginning of spring. It is a day when workers head back to the fields, and many proposals occur during this time.
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Germany: In Germany, the color red is often associated with Valentine's Day, symbolizing love and passion. Bouquets of roses are a common gift, and children often give heart-shaped gifts with messages of love to their parents, teachers, and classmates. Traditionally, baskets of chocolates and sweets are also exchanged.
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Argentina: In Argentina, Valentine's Day is celebrated as "sweetness week" between July 13th and July 20th. During this week, lovers exchange kisses for sweets. The celebrations culminate with a friendship day.
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South Korea: South Koreans celebrate love on the 14th day of every month, not just on February 14th. Each month has a different theme, and couples exchange gifts and spend time together. However, those who are single observe "the black day" in April by eating black noodles.
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France: In France, one traditional Valentine's event was the "loterie d'amour" (lottery of love). Hopeful singles would line up in houses facing each other and take turns calling through the windows until they were paired up. Women who were left without a partner would gather afterward for a bonfire and ceremoniously burn images of the men who rejected them.
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South Africa: In South Africa, Valentine's Day is celebrated with chocolates, flowers, and romantic dinners. Some women also pin the name of their love on their sleeve for the day, taking a more direct approach to expressing their affection.
These are just a few examples of how Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world. The traditions and customs vary from country to country, but the common theme is the celebration of love and affection.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts mentioned in the article. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
