Valentine's Day is a day of flowers, candy, tokens of love and above all, profits for those who sell them. But just where did Valentine's Day begin? Turns out, historians don't really know. But like all good legends there is no shortage of stories.
The most common story seems to concern the Roman feast of Lupercalia, an ancient fertility rite, honoring Juno, the goddess of love and marriage. On February 14th, the day before the feast began, men would supposedly draw tickets from an urn and be expected to pursue the woman whose name they drew.
A more common and religious explanation concerns Saint Valentine, who was supposedly martyred on February 14th. Ancient texts record the existence of three St. Valentine's but it's not clear how many there really were, or what actually happened to him.
The Roman Emperor Claudius II forbid marriage of any soldier and who ever was to marry a soldier would be put in jail and sentenced to death. Although the favorite story concerns a third century priest named Valentine who defied the Emperor and performed secret marriages for soldiers.
When the Roman Emperor Claudius II found out his order had been defied, the priest was sent to jail to await execution. He supposedly sent the jailer's daughter a note before his sentence was carried out, signed 'from your Valentine'. He was put to death on February 14th, 270 A.D. In honor of the priest, The Pope named February 14 as St. Valentine's Day.
Since this day the sending of notes has been continued, and now means a sincere example of caring for your significant other, close friends, and also your family.
Today, Valentine's Day is known as the annual holiday honoring lovers, exchanging gifts, and also sending those famous cards.
People all around the world celebrate Valentine's Day in many different ways. In the United States and Canada, people exchange gifts. In Europe, the British children sing special Valentineʼs Day songs. And in China, the people put up colorful shrines and have flowers decorated everywhere.
People around the world also give gifts. It is a sign of love and caring for everyone. Some gifts that are given are things such as candy, flowers, and stuffed animals. Many people also make marriage proposals on this love-filled holiday.
The favorite legend about the history of Valentine's Day and that is the story of Cupid. Cupid was the son of the famous goddess, Aphrodite. Cupid is the most famous of Valentine symbols and everybody knows the cherubic boy armed with bow and arrows.
The arrows signify desires and emotions of love. If struck by an arrow the next person you saw would supposedly be the love of your life.
No matter which legend is true, Valentine's Day has since become a multi-billion dollar industry, while simultaneously representing a small token of love presented to your significant other, for those who honor this special holiday