Until Chaucer wrote poetry about "Valentines" in the 14th century, this holiday was for the martyred Christian saint(s) Valentinus. It was first established by Pope Gelasius in 496AD and later deleted from the general Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.
It is celebrated in countries around the world, but mostly in the West.
As noted above, the day first became associated with romatic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century it had evolved into an occaision in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionary and sending hand-written greeting cards (known as "valentines").
Modern Valentines Day symbols include the heart shape outline, doves and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, hand-written valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
Don't forget chocolate! :) Handmade cards are beautiful. Wish I had the time. Husband and I used to make Valentines gifts...but then life crashes in. Besides chocolate is always welcome.
ReplyDeleteM Pax: Ah yes... chocolate! How did I miss that tantalizing treat! Especially inside those red heart shaped boxes! Tee Hee!
ReplyDeleteOooh, what lovely embroidery!!
ReplyDeleteI made us sugar free fudge for Valentines Day. Yum! And I didn't even strangle him when he forgot what day it was... he still had brownie points in his Good Husband Account from past romantic good deeds. ;-)
Rettakat: Thanks! It sounds like you had a fun day! I would have loved to be a fly on the wall to see the look on his face when he found out what day it was. Classic expression right there in front of you! Anyway, I'm glad he had "brownie points" saved up.
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