Valentine’s Day is celebrate on 14 February each year. The day of love is synonymous with red roses, chocolate boxes, love letters and Valentine cards. Many lovers and singles do not believe in celebrating this day and consider it an exhibit of love that can be done at any time of the year. But love it or hate it, you simply cannot ignore Valentine’s Day.
This makes us wonder how this day came into being and became so popular among many and what is it about the day that makes people fall in love even more?
Some Fascinating Valentine’s Day Facts
Origin of Valentine’s Day
There are two theories when it comes to the origin of Valentine’s Day.
Historians believe that Valentine’s Day was derive from Lupercalia, a Roman fertility festival.
The occasion was celebrate in a unique way, which is also termed as “sexual play”, with young, unwed women to increase their fertility.
The other theory says that it is also believe that Emperor Claudius II, a Roman emperor, didn’t allow couples to marry during wartime.
But Saint Valentine was against this and perform secret weddings.
As a result, he was imprison and execut for his actions.
Before his death, he sent a letter to his lover, the jailer’s daughter, and sign it off as “From your Valentine”.
Since then, 14 February is celebrate as Saint Valentine’s Day, a day to mourn his death or burial.
And all this while we thought Valentine’s Day began on a sweet note.
Significance of Valentine’s Day
Red roses are the favourite flowers of Venus, the Roman goddess, and the red bud represents strong romantic feelings.
It is no surprise why red roses are bought or sold the most, follow by chocolate and jewellery.
As per data gathered by The Society of American Florists in 2018, about 250 million roses are produce in the US on Valentine’s Day.
As per the US National Retail Federation, Americans spent USD 21.8 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts for partners, pals and furry friends in 2021.
The maximum number of roses is import to the US, on this romantic holiday.
In Singapore, the number of roses you buy determines how affluent you are.
There is a significance to the number of roses you give or receive on Valentine’s Day.
While receiving one stalk signifies love, giving two or 15 means an apology.
If you get 12 stalks, the person wants you or wants to get marry to you.
If you are lucky enough to get 50 stalks or more, then your romantic love controls you completely or is extremely rich.
No wonder roses are the most popular flowers given on Valentine’s Day.
Chocolates are sold in massive amounts as Valentine’s Day gifts.
The first box of heart-shape chocolates was introduce by Richard Cadbury in 1868.
Richard hails from a family that made chocolates.
He use the special holiday to produce Valentine’s Day chocolates with a variety of other products.
In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is celebrate over three days, each from one month starting February.
Women give chocolates to men on 14 February.
Then on 14 March, women receive candies from men and finally, on 14 April, the singles eat black noodles.
In the Middle Ages, when dating apps like Tinder didn’t exist, youngsters looking for love drew names from a bowl to see who their Valentine would be.
What we find amusing that ‘wearing your heart on your sleeve’ was taken literally.
These young men and women would pin the name they found on their sleeves for a week.
This was done so that everyone, including the special someone, could see how they feel wearing the name tag, which would show their true feelings.
As per the report by the National Confectioners Association, almost 86% of Americans gift chocolate and candy on Valentine’s Day in 2021.
Candy hearts were first introduce as medical lozenges by Boston pharmacist Oliver Chase in 1847.
He made the first candy-making machine back then.
After identifying the potential in the candy business, he shift his focus to producing candies with Necco wafers.
The candies that come in boxes contain different labels such as “True Love,” “Hug Me” and “You Rock”.
Valentine’s Day Celebrations Around the Globe
Valentine is the name of a town in Texas, USA, that got its name from Saint Valentine.
To boost chocolate consumption in the country, Ghana declare 14 February as its National Chocolate Day.
In the Philippines, 14 February seems to be the most common wedding anniversary date because there has been a rise in marriages over the past decade.
Finland celebrate it as the Day of Friends or Friendship’s Day.
Cards and gifts are exchange with lovers, family members and friends.
In Japan, women take the lead and buy chocolates and gifts for their belove.
The sweethearts return the favour on 14 March, which is mark as White Day.
