Every February, the world goes romance mad with cards, flowers and gifts, especially chocolate, being exchanged between loved ones. 192 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting card giving occasion after Christmas.
So, how did it all start? There has long been a day of love celebrated dating back to ancient Rome but quite how Saint Valentine managed to get himself associated with the celebration is not clear. The Catholic Church actually recognises three different saints called Valentine or Valentinus
One legend says that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
The stories also suggest that Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl, who may have been his jailor's daughter, who visited him in prison. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. During the Middle Ages, the idea of courtly love took hold and it was common for men to spend ages composing love poems and songs for their ladies.
There are various traditions associated with the day around the world. In Brazil, there is no Valentine's Day. Instead, "Dia dos Namorados" (Day of the enamored) is celebrated on June 12, when couples exchange gifts such as lingerie, chocolates, cards and usually a flower bouquet. This day was chosen probably because it is the day before Saint Anthony's day, known in Brazil as the marriage saint, when many single women perform popular rituals in order to find a good husband (or nowadays, a boyfriend).
In Colombia, the "Día del amor y la amistad” is celebrated on the third Friday and Saturday in September. In this country the Amigo secreto (Secret friend) tradition is quite popular, which consists of randomly assigning to each participant a recipient who is to be given an anonymous gift (similar to the Christmas tradition of Secret Santa).
In Mexico, the "Día del amor y la amistad" is celebrated similar to Colombia but this one falls on February 14.
In Finland, Valentine's Day is called "Ystävänpäivä" which translates into Friend's day. As the name says the day is more about remembering your friends than your loved ones.
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