February 14  Valentine's Day History

Valentine's Day derived it's name from Saint Valentine. The most famous of the Saint Valentines lived in Rome around the year 270. He held Christian beliefs and as this was unacceptable thinking at the time, he was jailed for them. The jailer had a young daughter who was blind and Saint Valentine was said to have cured her affliction. Because of this miracle, he was sentenced to death. He sent a note to the young woman he had cured and signed the note "From Your Valentine". Saint Valentine was beheaded on February 14th. At the time, the Romans were celebrating a holiday for Juno - the queen of the Roman gods. The young men on this day picked the names of girls who would be their partners for the dances and games, hence it became a special day for people in love. When Romans became Christians, the old holiday was kept, only now it became part of Valentine's Day. No one knows how it spread to Northern Europe, but for over 500 years the day has been celebrated and was brought to America by settlers from the British Isles.

There are many symbols and customs relating to Valentines Day  

Picking Names of Valentine sweethearts as the early Romans did.

Birds are often used in Valentine pictures because of belief that birds pick their mates on February 14, hence lovebirds.

Gifts are sent.  Knights who wore ribbons, etc. given by ladies who favoured them-why Valentine cards are trimmed with ribbons, velvets, satins and lace.

Red Hearts Very old sign of love.

Cupid-Ancient Roman god-shot arrows into people's hearts to make them fall in love.

Doves always in pairs, pure, beautiful, affectionate.

    Thus we find that Valentine's Day is a mixture of customs, legends, beliefs and superstitions that have been handed down from one generation to another.

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