The Legend of Valentine
I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day for the obvious reasons. I don't have that special love in my life to send me roses or chocolates. Also it bothers me that people give gifts on Valentine's day more out of obligation than because of love. Cultural peer-pressure stinks! Anywaz, I was sitting here at work thinking "Where did this dumb holiday come from??" I was sure it was some plot by a flower shop union and Hallmark, but I was wrong. This holiday goes back all the way to the middle ages...
One legend tells the story that Emperor Claudius II made a decree that no young men could marry. He wanted men to join the army without the baggage of a wife and children left at home. The priest, Valentine, would still perform secret marriages for these young men. When the King found out, he had St. Valentine killed and so we celebrate this day in honor of his death.
Another theory says that Valentine was put in jail, fell in love with the jailor's daughter, and sent her the first valentine card. The letter was signed "From Your Valentine", and there the tradition began.
Other stories tell of couple lotteries held by the Roman's in celebration of Valentine Feast Day. Some say it's due to the mating season of Birds which begins in the middle of February. But for whatever reason, Valentine's day has been celebrated in countries such as France and England since at least the 1400's or before, and America followed suit when it became a nation.
Some other interesting tid-bits about Valentine's Day....
One legend tells the story that Emperor Claudius II made a decree that no young men could marry. He wanted men to join the army without the baggage of a wife and children left at home. The priest, Valentine, would still perform secret marriages for these young men. When the King found out, he had St. Valentine killed and so we celebrate this day in honor of his death.
Another theory says that Valentine was put in jail, fell in love with the jailor's daughter, and sent her the first valentine card. The letter was signed "From Your Valentine", and there the tradition began.
Other stories tell of couple lotteries held by the Roman's in celebration of Valentine Feast Day. Some say it's due to the mating season of Birds which begins in the middle of February. But for whatever reason, Valentine's day has been celebrated in countries such as France and England since at least the 1400's or before, and America followed suit when it became a nation.
Some other interesting tid-bits about Valentine's Day....
- 192 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (2nd to Christmas)
- Nearly 60 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine’s Day a procrastinator’s delight.
- Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women.
So from an historical perspective, Valentine's day is probably one of the oldest holiday that we celebrate, so I guess I can't blame it on Hallmark. I still don't have to like the holiday though....
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