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Valentine's Day Facts and Legends

Although many think of Valentine's Day as a time of candy and cards, it is a holiday seeped in mystery and intrigue. In fact, Valentine's traditions stem from historical legends of sacrifice, tyranny and the ever-inspirational power of love.

The Legends of Valentine's Day: Priest Valentine
A number of legends surround the history of Valentine's Day. One of the most popular legends relates to Priest Valentine, who lived in Rome in the third century. During this time, the Emperor asked that all young soldiers volunteer for the army. Naturally, those young men who were not married would volunteer more quickly than their attached counterparts. Angered by this, the Emperor declared that, because single men made better soldiers, young men would no longer be allowed to marry.

Priest Valentine, moved by the injustice of such a decree, set up his own secret marriages and allowed young men to marry with his blessings. When the Emperor learned that his rule had been defied, he ordered that Valentine be killed. Valentine was killed on February the fourteenth, the date on which we now honor his memory by celebrating love on the anniversary of his death.

Variations on the Priest Valentine Legend
The above tale has a number of variations, including:

• Valentine assisted in the escape of tortured Christian prisoners who were incarcerated in Roman prisons.
• Valentine was imprisoned during which time he fell in love with a woman who visited him. Wishing to express his love to her, he wrote her a letter and signed it, "From your Valentine," starting the tradition of writing valentines to your loved ones.

Although these legends vary a bit, they all have one common motif: Valentine was a strongly passionate man who reached out to others and believed in love. In fact, he became one of the most popular saints (and romantic icons) in England and France because of his efforts to fight injustice again and again in the name of love. As a result, this holiday that commemorates him has come to represent a day for lovers.

Ancient Rome
Still others believe that in the days of Ancient Rome, Valentine's Day reflected an effort by the Christian church to Christianize the pagan Lupercalia festival. This festival took place in mid-February, as February marked the birth of spring. During the Lupercalia celebration, young men and women were paired through a lottery system and eventually got married. Because the Christian church frowned upon the lottery system, Pope Gelasius declared February fourteenth to be Valentine's Day, a day when the lottery system would no longer be a part of love's celebration.

Middle Ages
The Valentine's greeting rose in popularity during the Middle Ages. While this may have been due to the fact that the middle of February marks the start of mating season among birds, the rise in the social practice of Valentine's traditions reaffirmed this holiday's pagan roots.

Valentine's Day Cards
Esther A. Howland is responsible for the first commercial Valentine's Day cards in the United States. These cards, made with intricate lace, ribbons and expressions of love, were the start of one of the most popular Valentine's traditions. While we have a variety of cards to choose from today, all modern-day Valentine's Day cards express a timeless sense of sincerity, warmth and love.

A Celebration Around the World
Although Valentine's Day is celebrated throughout the world, it is markedly different in North America than elsewhere. Here is a outline of different ceremonies around the world:

• China: In China, people celebrate "The Night of Sevens" (also known as the "Daughter's Festival") in which the holiday commemorating love occurs on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the Chinese calendar.
  
  On this day, lovers visit the Temple of Matchmaker where they pray for love and happiness. During this celebration of the Daughter's Festival, girls will pray to the Weaving Maid star and hope for special blessings. They place their needles on the water. If the needles float, it is a sign that the girls are mature and therefore ready for husbands.
  
  
• Italy: Valentine's Day (held on February 14th) in Italy is celebrated as it has been for centuries. Traditionally, Italian girls would awaken before sunrise and look out of the window. They believed that the first man they saw would be the man they would marry. For those in a relationship, Valentine's Day is one of the most romantic days for announcing wedding plans.
  
  
• Japan & Korea: In Asian countries, such as Japan and Korea, more women than men candy, chocolate and flowers than men do.

While many other countries also have their own unique Valentine's Day celebrations, one commonality is sending valentines to loved ones. In fact, about one billion cards are sent annually, worldwide!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas
Although c andy, flowers and jewelry are traditional Valentine's Day, some couples may want to get more creative with their gifts. Here is a list of unique Valentine's Gift ideas that will impress your loved one and spice up your celebration of love:

• Spend time together: Whether you choose to the whole day or just the evening together, taking time out of your busy schedule to spend with your loved one is one of the best gifts.
  
  
• Plan a picnic:A romantic picnic (outdoors or at home on a blanket) is a special way to spend quality time together. Not only will you get quality alone time, but you can also save money for a gift in the process. Plus, if you make the picnic yourself, your honey is likely to be even more impressed with the energy you put into the celebration.
  
  
• Make love coupons: These are decorative pieces of paper that promise something, such as a massage, a night out, a movie or even quiet time spent in front of the fireplace. Be creative, and remember that the most meaningful gifts often come without a price tag.

Single on Valentine's Day
People who are single on Valentine's Day can still make this holiday a celebration of love. For example, plan to spend time with your family. If you have children, take them to the zoo, the movies or out to lunch. You may even want to bake festive cookies or make Valentine's Day crafts. As with your significant other, spending quality time with a child is the most valuable gift.

If you don't live close to your family, celebrate Valentine's Day with a group of your single friends. Plan an all girls or all guys night. While girls may want to get manicures and go out to dinner, guys may want to hold a poker night.

Regardless of what you choose to do on Valentine's Day, remember to celebrate love with your family, friends and significant other.