Theories Of Valentines Day Origins
Theories Of Valentine's Day Origins
Though theories on pagan traditions are closer explanations of how Valentine’s Day emerged, several people opted the religious theory of February 14’s origin.
Historical experts—some historians and archaeologists—consider three theories that explain the origins of this universal celebration of love and romance. However, only two of the three theories link the day to romance. The last involves martyrdom during the pre-Christian era.
The first theory considered by historians is the feast of Lupercalia. On February 14, a day before the real festival of Lupercalia begins; the Romans honored Juno who was the queen and goddess of marriage and women of the Roman mythology. On the day of festival, Roman women would write love letters and put them in a large urn so that men could choose from. Then, a man would pursue the woman who authored his chosen letter.
The Eastern people’s tradition of exchanging love letters on February 14 is another theory linking romance and Valentine’s Day. During the Middle Ages, the Europeans believed that birds began to mate on February 14.
The third theory, which is well known today, came from archaeologists who uncover an ancient church and Roman catacomb for St. Valentine. Until now, they are not sure how many Valentines there are. The Catholic Church even recognizes three different saints named Valentine who lived during the third century. All the death of these three Valentines happened on February 14.
The popular one was a Roman priest who practiced Christianity. He celebrated masses and performed marriages against the orders of Emperor Claudius II. Even at the brink of death, the Roman priest did not deny his beliefs. They say that before his death, he sent a friend a note signed “From your Valentine.” This phrase is until now a famous card message.
Following the course of history, people accepted more the Christian origin of Valentine’s Day rather than the two pagan traditions. Hundreds of years after, St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers and Pope Galasius named February 14 after him. In 1969 however, Pope Paul VI removed the celebration from the calendar. The martyrdom of the saint and the influence of Roman festival in the history made the celebration of Valentine’s Day exist until today.
Modifications of Valentine’s Day happened as time changed. Before, Valentine’s Day cards were custom-made using colored paper and colored inks. There were pinprick cards, cutout designed letters, rebus valentines, and acrostic valentines to name a few.
The first mass-produced card was decorated with black and white pictures in 1800s. Later on, cards were decorated with silk, lace, flowers, feathers, satin, and sometimes golden leaf. Because of advanced technology, modern Valentine’s Day card has become sophisticated. At first, manufacturers made greeting post cards until they also developed cards with recorded romantic messages, pop-out images, and love songs. The introduction of Internet also opened doors for a new way of sending letters. Lovers can now send love letters through electronic mail.
Today, people give chocolates and flowers other than cards. Valentine’s Day is now highly commercialized.
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The History Of Valentines Day Cards
... letters and the quantity of letters they sent. This practice of exchanging Valentine s Day cards was once banned during the height of racial atrocities in human history. The Chicago post office recorded around 25,000 cards it rejected because of their indecency. As time changed, the use of Valentine s Day cards became more popular. Today, production of Valentine s Day cards has become a large enterprise, ...
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Using Online Dating Services For Valentines Day
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Giving Chocolates For Valentines Day
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Tips To Look Good On Your Valentines Date
... attraction matters especially on first meetings. If you want to look good on your date, it is a must to pay attention to your hair. Solving your mane issues is a major thing because hair is every person s crowning glory. If you want to look your best, try choosing a hairstyle that would complement the shape of your face. You can do this by going to a salon and asking for a beautician or a stylist s ...
Giving Gifts On Valentines Day
... giving flowers and chocolates until anything will do as long as it shows feelings of love. Early Valentine s Day gifts were actually love letters, flowers, and chocolates. In most traditions, if not all, these conventional gifts have stayed. Once in history, Valentine s Day was marked as the second highest time, next to Christmas Day, people bought cards. Exchanging cards every 14th of February has ...
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... surefire hit. For outdoorsmen, consider practical things he can use while outdoors. - Chef or is into culinary art. Give him something that he can use while cooking or preparing foods. If he is inclined to the art of cooking, enroll him to cooking class. For men who love to cook, opt for a special array of spices and sauces or a stainless knife set. - Metrosexual. Take note of his fetishes. Usually, ...
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