Fun Facts about Valentine's Day - everything you need to know and maybe a little bit more...
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Origins in Ancient Rome: Valentine's Day finds its roots in Ancient Rome's festival of Lupercalia, celebrated mid-February as a fertility rite.
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Chaucer's Influence: Geoffrey Chaucer, the medieval English poet, linked Valentine's Day with romantic love in his works, boosting its romantic association.
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Massive Card Exchange: Valentine's Day sees approximately 145 million cards exchanged annually, making it the second-largest card-sending holiday after Christmas.
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Sweet Love Treats: Over 58 million pounds of chocolate are purchased in the week leading up to Valentine's Day.
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Valentine's Pet Love: Around 9 million people buy Valentine's gifts for their pets, showing love extends to our furry friends too!
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Symbolic Color Choice: Red, symbolizing love and passion, dominates as the color of choice for Valentine's Day gifts and decorations.
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Single's Celebration: Singles also celebrate! Some host "Anti-Valentine's Day" parties or treat themselves to self-love gifts.
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Cupid, the symbol of love, originates from Roman mythology as the son of Venus, the goddess of love.
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Love Locks Tradition: In some cultures, couples attach padlocks to bridges or other landmarks to symbolize unbreakable love.
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Heart-Shaped Craze: Heart-shaped gifts like candies, chocolates, and even pizzas peak in popularity during Valentine's Day, symbolizing love and affection.
Searching for a bit more detail on Valentine's Day? We have you covered.
What is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and affection, observed on February 14th, often marked by romantic gestures, gifts, and expressions of love between partners, friends, and family.
Does Valentine's Day have a modern nickname?
Sure does. Valentine's Day has earned the nickname "V-Day." This shortened form is often used informally and is a quicker way to refer to the holiday, especially in casual conversations, texts, or social media posts.
When is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th, is not only a day dedicated to expressing love but also a significant event for retailers, but what is the history of this Day that has been formed from ancient traditions, myth and poetry.
Ancient Roots
The roots of Valentine's Day are often associated with the elusive figure of Saint Valentine who wrote above the topic of love in defiance against the Roman authorities. Specifics are vague however, we do know that Valentine's Day can be linked with Roman times and specifically the festival of Lupercalia.
What is the Roman Festival of Lupercalia?
Originating as a fertility festival, Lupercalia featured rituals aimed at ensuring health and fertility, with a unique matchmaking element that echoes the modern concept of celebrating love. This ancient connection adds depth to the contemporary celebration, combining historical roots with the expressions of affection seen today.
Interesting Fact: The intertwining of romantic and fertility-related customs in Lupercalia laid the foundation for the romantic associations of Valentine's Day.
Chaucer - Valentine's Day Narrative
Chaucer, a pivotal figure in English literature, played a crucial role in creating the romantic narrative of Valentine's Day. A notable example of this was his work, "Parliament of Foules,". This narrative linked Valentine's Day with the mating season of birds, introducing a poetic connection between nature and the expression of love.
Valentine's Day Greetings
The tradition of exchanging love notes, or "valentines," emerged in 15th-century England, evolving over time into the commercial production of Valentine's Day cards. This paved the way for the retail sector's involvement, turning a personal expression of love into a marketable commodity. Today, the exchange of cards and gifts has become a central aspect of the celebration. At Edible Blooms we certainly receive heartfelt gift card messages however if you're looking for greeting inspiration why not use our card greeting message 'helper'.
Interesting Fact: The commercial production of Valentine's Day cards in the 19th century marked the beginning of the retail industry's significant role in shaping the modern celebration.
Why are gifts exchanged on Valentine's Day?
The origin of Valentine's Day as a day of gift-giving is believed to stem from the actions of St. Valentine himself. Legend has it that he performed marriages for soldiers who were forbidden to wed. He also reportedly sent a letter signed "From your Valentine" to his jailer's daughter, further establishing the connection between the day and expressions of affection.
Timeless Symbols
Valentine's Day is synonymous with timeless symbols that encapsulate the spirit of love. The heart, perhaps the most iconic of all, represents love and passion. Cupid, the mischievous god of desire from Roman mythology, is another enduring symbol often depicted with a bow and arrow, striking hearts and inspiring affection.
Today, exchanging gifts on Valentine's Day is a way for people to express their love, appreciation, and affection for their partners, family, and friends, carrying on the tradition that evolved over centuries. It's a gesture to show care and appreciation for the special people in one's life.
The red rose has become a symbol of Valentine's Day due to its historical association with love, passion, and romance. Here's why:
In Roman mythology, the red rose was linked to Venus, the goddess of love. It's said that the red rose grew from the blood of Adonis, Venus's lover, making it a symbol of eternal love.
Over time, the red rose's symbolism of love and passion became deeply ingrained in Valentine's Day traditions, making it the quintessential flower associated with the holiday. It's now a timeless symbol used to express romantic feelings and sentiments on this special day.
Exchange of Roses and Flowers
Among the most cherished symbols of Valentine's Day are roses and flowers. Red roses, in particular, symbolise love and desire. The tradition of exchanging flowers as a token of affection dates back centuries and has evolved into a flourishing industry during the Valentine's season. In recent times Valentine's Day gifts have evolved. Chocolate flowers are the perfect Valentine's Day Gift.
Interesting Fact: Different coloured roses carry distinct meanings; for example, white roses signify purity, and yellow roses represent friendship.
In 2024 flowers, for many of us are the staple gift, however, as the world of gifting has grown many alternatives are available as Valentine's Day gifting options. Explore some of our favourite Valentine's Day gifts.
Cupid's Arrow
Cupid's arrow is a symbol deeply embedded in the romantic narrative of Valentine's Day. According to mythology, being struck by Cupid's arrow would lead to irresistible feelings of love. This timeless image has persisted through the ages, symbolising the unpredictable and sometimes enchanting nature of love.
Modern Symbols: Emojis
In the digital age, symbols have taken on a new form with the rise of emojis. These are now commonplace and I'm sure will feature heavily in Valentine’s Day card message of love and SMSs.
Above all Valentine's Day is a day where love can be ignited, embraced or cherished.
