14 февраля праздник история происхождения кратко

14 февраля во многих странах мира отмечается День святого Валентина (Valentine’s Day) или День всех влюбленных.

Считается, что День святого Валентина существует уже более 16 веков, но праздники Любви известны с еще более ранних времен — со времен древних языческих культур. Например, римляне в середине февраля праздновали фестиваль эротизма, называемый Lupercalia, в честь богини любви Juno Februata.

У праздника есть и конкретный «виновник» — христианский священник Валентин. Эта история датируется примерно 269 годом, в то время Римской Империей правил император Клавдий II. Воюющая римская армия испытывала острый недостаток солдат для военных походов, и военачальник был убежден, что главный враг его «наполеоновских» планов — браки, ибо женатый легионер о славе империи думает гораздо меньше, чем о том, как семью прокормить. И, дабы сохранить в своих солдатах воинский дух, император издал указ, запрещающий легионерам жениться.

Но влюбляться-то солдаты от этого не стали меньше. И к их счастью нашелся человек, который, не страшась императорского гнева, стал тайно венчать легионеров с их возлюбленными. Им был священник по имени Валентин из римского города Терни (Valentine of Terni). Видимо, он был настоящим романтиком, так как его любимыми развлечениями было мирить поссорившихся, помогать писать любовные письма и дарить по просьбе легионеров цветы предметам их страсти.

Ясное дело, как только об этом узнал император, он решил его «преступную деятельность» прекратить. Валентина приговорили к казни. Трагедия ситуации была еще и в том, что и сам Валентин был влюблен в дочку тюремщика. За день до казни священник написал девушке прощальное письмо, где рассказал о своей любви, и подписал его «Твой Валентин». Прочитано оно было уже после того, как его казнили.

Впоследствии, как христианский мученик, пострадавший за веру, Валентин был канонизирован католической церковью. А в 496 году римский Папа Геласиус (Pope Gelasius I) объявил 14 февраля Днем святого Валентина.

С 1969 года в результате реформы богослужения святой Валентин был изъят из литургического календаря католической церкви (вместе с прочими римскими святыми, сведения о жизни которых противоречивы и недостоверны). Впрочем, и до 1969 года церковь не одобряла и не поддерживала традиций празднования этого дня.

Так ли это было или иначе, но, по всей видимости, именно оттуда повелось писать в День святого Валентина любовные записки — «валентинки». А еще в этот праздник любят устраивать свадьбы и венчаться. Считается, что это станет залогом вечной любви.

В Западной Европе День святого Валентина стал широко отмечаться с 13 века, в США — с 1777 года.

Традиция дарить в этот день подарки крепла с каждым годом и для некоторых стала достаточно успешным бизнесом. Например, в начале прошлого века у американцев было принято посылать своим невестам марципаны, которые были довольно дороги.

В Японии традиция дарить в этот день сладкое появилась с подачи одной крупной фирмы по производству шоколада. Там начали праздновать День святого Валентина в 30-е годы, и до сих пор шоколад остается самым распространенным подарком. Кстати, там День святого Валентина слегка напоминает «8 Марта для мужчин», так как японские мужчины получают, пожалуй, даже больше подарков, чем женщины: мужские аксессуары типа бритвы, лосьона, бумажника и так далее.

У страстных французов же в День святого Валентина принято дарить драгоценности, а в романтичной Дании люди посылают друг другу засушенные белые цветы.

В Британии незамужние девушки 14 февраля встают до восхода солнца, становятся возле окна и смотрят на проходящих мужчин. Согласно поверью, первый мужчина, которого они увидят, и есть суженый.

Но есть в мире некоторые страны, которые особенно отличились в праздновании Дня святого Валентина. В первую очередь это Саудовская Аравия, которая является единственной в мире страной, где этот праздник… официально запрещен, причем, под страхом больших штрафов.

На Руси был свой праздник влюбленных, вот только отмечался он не зимой, а летом, и был был связан с легендарной историей любви Петра и Февронии. Сегодня в России в этот день отмечается официальный праздник Всероссийский день семьи, любви и верности.

https://radiosputnik.ria.ru/20220214/vlyublennykh-1769802111.html

Самый романтичный праздник года: День святого Валентина

День Святого Валентина: история, суть и когда отмечают праздник

Самый романтичный праздник года: День святого Валентина

Радио Sputnik, 14.02.2022

2022-02-14T07:00

2022-02-14T07:00

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День всех влюбленных – самый, пожалуй, романтичный праздник в мире. 14 февраля миллиарды людей признаются в любви. Они дарят своим половинкам милые подарки, устраивают праздничный ужин и наполняют дом светлыми чувствами. Радио Sputnik рассказывает об истории праздника.День святого ВалентинаДень святого Валентина начали отмечать в европейских странах с XIII века. В народе его называли «днем любви». К Дню влюбленных подарки делали своими руками. Вырезали деревянные ложки с резьбой в виде сердечка, ключика и вручали избранникам. Причем преподносили дары без лишних свидетелей, выражая тем самым любовь и преданность. Христианский праздник в корне изменился, когда День святого Валентина превратился в День всех влюбленных. В XVIII веке молодые люди стали обмениваться тайными посланиями. Обычно на открытках не писали имени, поэтому влюбленные придумали для них форму сердца. Так появились валентинки-сердечки.Когда отмечаетсяДень святого Валентина, покровителя влюбленных, отмечают 14 февраля. Но точную дату возникновения праздника историки назвать затрудняются. Есть данные, что «праздники любви», как их тогда называли, были весьма популярны еще в античные времена. Это позволяет предположить, что сам праздник может быть гораздо старше.Кто празднуетДень влюбленных отмечают решительно все, кто испытывает сильные романтические чувства. От детей и подростков до людей, убеленных сединами. Накануне праздника большая часть человечества думает о том, как порадовать свои вторые половинки и внести в отношения побольше романтики и страсти.История праздникаВ Древнем Риме 15 февраля каждый год отмечали праздник изобилия – Луперкалии, названный в честь покровителя стад, бога Фавна, а Луперк – одно из его прозвищ. А за день до этого отмечался праздник римской богини брака, материнства и женщин Юноны и бога Пана. В этот день девушки писали любовные письма, которые помещали в огромную урну, а затем юноши тянули письма. После этого молодой человек начинал ухаживать за той, чья записочка ему досталось.Мужчины, по традиции, в этот день приносили в жертву животных, изготавливали из их шкур своеобразные бичи. Потом раздевались донага и бегали по городу, ударяя плетьми каждую встретившуюся на пути женщину. Те же охотно подставлялись под бичи: считалось, что это подарит плодовитость. Ритуал был крайне распространен в Риме, в нем участвовали даже члены знатных семейств.Святой ВалентинДо нашего времени дошло множество легенд, связанных с именем Святого Валентина. Наиболее красивая и романтичная – это история о христианском проповеднике, который в 269 году венчал легионеров римской империи с их возлюбленными, несмотря на запрет императора Клавдия Второго.Для сохранения воинского духа император издал указ, который не позволял легионерам обзаводиться семьями: считалось, что женатый воин будет думать лишь о том, как прокормить семью, а не о благе империи и воинских доблестях.Святой Валентин искренне сочувствовал влюбленным и старался всячески им помочь. По легенде, он примирял поссорившихся, сочинял для них письма с признаниями в романтических чувствах, дарил цветы молодым супругам и тайно венчал солдат с их возлюбленными. Узнав об этом, Клавдий Второй велел бросить священника в тюрьму, а вскоре подписал указ о его казни.Ореолом романтики окутаны и последние дни жизни Святого Валентина. Согласно легенде, в него влюбилась слепая дочь тюремщика, но Валентин, как священник, давший обет безбрачия, не мог ответить взаимностью. Однако в ночь перед казнью, 13 февраля, он написал ей трогательное письмо, в котором поведал о своей любви. А девушка, получив послание уже после казни священника, прозрела. Предполагают, что именно оттуда берет начало традиция писать в День Святого Валентина любовные записки на красивых листках бумаги. Спустя двести лет католическая церковь Валентина канонизировала. А в 496 году Римский Папа Геласиус объявил 14 февраля Днем святого Валентина.ВалентинкаСамой первой валентинкой в мире, о которой известно, считается записка, отправленная в 1415 году герцогом Орлеанским Карлом своей супруге. Поздравительная открытка ушла из лондонского Тауэра, где Карл томился в заключении.Известно, что валентинки пользовались большой популярностью в XVIII веке, особенно в Англии. Ими обменивались в качестве подарков. Влюбленные делали открытки из разноцветной бумаги и подписывали красочными чернилами. К началу XX века с улучшением технологии печати рукописные открытки были вытеснены печатными.Сегодня в День влюбленных принято дарить друг другу валентинки в виде сердечек, с признаниями в любви, предложениями руки и сердца или просто шутками. В этот день также любят устраивать свадьбы и венчаться.Традиции праздникаВажнейшая традиция – преподнесение цветов своей любимой спутнице. История, правда, умалчивает, какой именно праздник стал поводом для вручения первого букета женщине. Дарить цветы начали по примеру Людовика Шестнадцатого, который преподнес жене огромную охапку роз. Такой жест стал популярным и женщинам стали вручать букеты из красных роз 14 февраля. Цветы – непременный и важнейший атрибут праздника, но не единственный, на что тратится любящий мужчина.Праздник в других странахВ Японии, например, девушкам дарят шоколад. Дело в том, что мужчины страны восходящего солнца, как правило, не любят сладкое. И это лакомство считается сугубо женским пристрастием.В Англии в этот день принято гадать. Незамужние девушки утром выходят на улицу и высматривают птиц. Если на пути им повстречается малиновка – это значит, что будущий муж будет моряком. Воробей символизирует бедняка, а щегол, наоборот, предвещает супруга-богача.В Соединенных Штатах Америки влюбленным дарят марципан, а также конфеты красного и белого цвета. В США уверены, что цветы и сладости – символы любви и чистоты.Для итальянцев 14 февраля – день настоящей радости для сладкоежек, поскольку принято дарить сладкие подарки. Подойдут торты, пирожные, конфеты, которые будут украшены символами долгой и страстной любви.Во Франции на каждый День святого Валентина мужчины преподносят своим возлюбленным ювелирные украшения. А еще могут подарить счастливые лотерейные билеты. Витрины французских магазинов и кафе украшают красными и розовыми лентами. На улицах появляются электронные табло, где размещают поздравления любимым.В Испании доставкой любовных посланий занимаются почтовые голуби.В Исландии разжигают костры во имя сына бога Одина: пламя символизирует страсть.Но в мире есть общая традиция, которую чтут везде: если сделать предложение на 14 февраля или сыграть в этот день свадьбу, брак будет счастливым и крепким.Что подаритьЛюбимому мужчине можно подарить билет на урок фехтования, полет в аэротрубе или на параплане. Подойдет и поход на мастер-класс по дегустации алкогольных напитков. Еще один хороший подарок – билет на спортивные соревнования. Разумеется, дорогим сердцу станет подарок, сделанный самостоятельно. Это может быть коллаж из совместных фотографий или торт в виде сердечка. Если вы хотите провести время с пользой для здоровья, сходите вместе с ним в спа-салон, там вас ждут расслабляющий массаж, обертывания и бассейн.Любимую женщину одарите цветами, парфюмерией и/или ювелирными украшениями. Если вы опасаетесь, что не угодите своей половинке – купите в магазине подарочную карту. Романтический ужин при свечах, приготовленный мужчиной. Не забудьте о сервировке, свечах и музыкальном сопровождении. Сделайте совместную фотосессию: пусть стилист создаст вам новые интересные образы. Сходите в театр на романтическую комедию, создайте праздничное настроение.Но главное при этом помнить, что подарок любимому человеку должен быть ориентирован именно на него самого, а не то, что нравится самому дарителю, считает специалист по этикету, автор книг по этикету и автор блога privet_etiket в Instagram Юлия Сильванская.ПоздравленияТрадиционными поздравлениями в этот день считаются валентинки. Бумажные открытки в виде сердечка. Но в последние годы не менее популярными стали онлайн-валентинки – в идее картинок, анимированных историй и видеофайлов. В любом случае и те, и другие формы поздравления актуальны и доставляют немало радости. Главное, не забыть проявить фантазию и в самом тексте поздравительного сообщения.Интересные фактыДень святого Валентина совпадает с Днем дарения книг. Читатели обмениваются книгами и делятся впечатлениями от прочитанного. С этого начинаются дружеские отношения, которые могут перерасти в более глубокие чувства.Несравненной можно назвать валентинку, которую подарил в 1960 году своей возлюбленной Марии Каллас греческий миллиардер Аристотель Онассис. Сердце изготовили ювелиры, использовав драгоценностей на 300 тысяч долларов (сейчас эта сумма на гораздо больше). Благородный жест Онассис дополнил норковой шубой, в которую завернул дорогую вещицу.Молодоженам Ямайки одежда в этот день не нужна совсем – по местным традициям, если 14 февраля молодые сочетаются браком, то на них должны быть только обручальные кольца.Поздравляют друг друга в этот день не только влюбленные. Даже домашние животные получают от хозяев презенты и знаки любви в виде вкусного корма, нового ошейника или лотка.Поскольку День Святого Валентина – праздник любви, то в этот день в магазинах и аптеках повышается спрос не только сладости и цветы, но и на средства контрацепции.Именно в День влюбленных, 14 февраля, произошел запуск знаменитого сервиса YouTube.Автор Кирилл Гришин, радио SputnikКоротко и по делу. Только отборные цитаты в нашем Телеграм-канале.

https://radiosputnik.ria.ru/20210210/potselui-1596785066.html

https://radiosputnik.ria.ru/20220207/konki-1771495393.html

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День святого Валентина, покровителя влюбленных, отмечают 14 февраля. Отмечать ли православным верующим этот день? Разве у нас нет «своего» праздника — дня Петра и Февронии? Ведь именно эти святые для нас  — пример великой любви? Правда ли в католической Церкви святой Валентин тайно венчал влюбленных?

На самом деле традиция праздновать день святого Валентина имеет непростую историю, связанную с мученичеством, гибелью за веру, и современные традиции празднования «дня всех влюбленных» никак не связаны с событиями, происходившими в реальности. Важно помнить, что суть этого дня для христианина вовсе не сводится к тому, чтобы подарить кому-то открытку с сердечком — «валентинку» или белый шоколад. Знали ли вы, что три святых Валентина погибли за веру? Их трудная история жизни и мученической кончины не соответствует «глянцевой» истории о покровителе влюбленных. Говоря о святом Валентине, мы рассказываем историю христианского мученика?

Татьяна Федорова, автор нашей статьи, призывает задуматься об истории традиции праздновать Валентинов день как день покровителя влюбленных и не путать красивые легенды с реальностью. Прежде чем спешить дарить сладости, открытки и подарки любимым в этот день, стоит прочитать о том, что литература об истории Церкви пишет о почитании святых с именем Валентин.

Не стоит уличать молодых людей, которые обмениваются подарками, в следовании западным традициям или в том, что они отмечают языческий праздник, лучше дать почитать наш материал, в котором мы подробно расскажем, почему день святого Валентина — это не тот день, когда просто поздравляют влюбленных. А проявлять теплые чувства друг к другу можно в любой день, необязательно ждать несуществующего романтического праздника. Тем более, если праздник этот искусственно связан с христианским святым, который отдал свою жизнь за веру.

День святого Валентина 14 февраля — ложь и истина

Человеческое восприятие – удивительная штука. Очень часто мы склонны принимать некую информацию за истину только на том основании, что у нее, выражаясь современным языком, высокий индекс цитирования. Иными словами, один и тот же текст с небольшими вариациями кочует из издания в издание, из блога в блог. И чем чаще он воспроизводится, тем чаще мы готовы брать его на веру на том основании, что «все говорят».

Но увы, нередко бывает так, что копируемый друг у друга текст изначально ошибочен в той или иной степени и, распространяя его дальше, мы поневоле вводим в заблуждение все больший и больший круг людей.

Именно такая история и приключилась с жизнеописанием человека, чью память якобы предлагается праздновать 14 февраля. Если задать поиск по интернету, запрос «День святого Валентина» принесет десятки и сотни ссылок, пересказывающих с некоторыми вариациями одну и ту же легенду.

Читайте также — Сретение Господне vs. День св. Валентина

Немного истории

Мне стало любопытно, а как же все-таки обстояло дело в те далекие времена. К счастью, помимо «глянцевой» литературы сейчас доступно немало серьезных исторических исследований, позволяющих отделить факты от вымысла. Давайте попробуем все-таки разобраться, что же произошло на самом деле, а что является лишь романтической выдумкой. И давайте не будем забывать, что даже если некие события более-менее совпадают хронологически, это вовсе не означает, что между ними непременно существует взаимосвязь. Как говорится, «после этого не означает вследствие этого».

Что касается меня, то, принадлежа к миру науки, я предпочитаю опираться лишь на достоверные, документально подтвержденные факты, избегая домыслов и фантазий.

Первое, что подтверждается римскими мартирологами — это сам факт того, что на заре христианства по меньшей мере три человека, носивших имя Валентин, мученически погибли за веру.

Но при этом любопытно отметить то, что хотя все трое скончались не позднее 270 года, их имена отсутствуют в наиболее раннем из известных списков мучеников – Хронографе 354 года.

О первом из них известно только то, что он погиб в Карфагене вместе с группой единоверцев, и его мы дальше упоминать не будем по причине полного отсутствия дополнительной информации. Второй Валентин был епископом Интерамны (современный город Терни). О нем известно то, что он был казнен во время гонений на христиан, но когда точно это произошло – в конце третьего века в эпоху императора Аврелиана или на сто лет раньше – источники говорят по-разному. Похоронен он при Фламиниевой дороге в окрестностях Рима.

Дата смерти третьего мученика пресвитера Валентина – известна более точно. Он был обезглавлен между 268 и 270 годами и тоже похоронен при Фламиниевой дороге, но на немного ином расстоянии от Рима. В наше время мощи пресвитера Валентина покоятся частично в Риме, частично в Дублине, а мощи епископа в Терни.

В самом конце пятого века папа Геласий принял решение прославить целый ряд мучеников, в том числе и Валентина (сейчас уже невозможно точно сказать, которого конкретно, а скорее, как раз всех разом). Как было сформулировано в соответствующем акте: «…как людей, чьи имена справедливо почитаются среди людей, но чьи деяния ведомы лишь Господу».

Рождение традиции

В том, что это празднование хронологически совпадало с местным римским языческим празднеством, кстати, полностью запрещенным тем же папой, ничего удивительного нет, это была обычная раннехристианская практика. Именно по этому принципу были выбраны и даты празднования Рождества Христова и Рождества Иоанна Предтечи, приходящиеся на языческие фестивали в честь зимнего и летнего солнцеворотов.

Ранняя Церковь старалась всемерно придавать древним празднествам новый христианский смысл. Но однозначно утверждать, что празднование памяти мученика Валентина установлено вместо Луперкалий, мы сейчас не можем, на сей счет не сохранилось никаких документальных записей. Более того, Луперкалии были всего-навсего местным городским фестивалем, тогда как празднование памяти святого Валентина устанавливалось в общецерковном масштабе, т.е. затрагивало всю тогдашнюю христианскую Церковь. А вот в общеимперском масштабе в ту эпоху праздновался как раз совсем иной античный обряд – так называемый фестиваль Юноны-очистительницы, постепенно вытесненный христианскими Богородичными обрядами.

Читайте также — Поздравления с Днем святого Валентина

Таким образом, празднование памяти святого Валентина было установлено исключительно как почитание его мученичества, без какой-либо связи с покровительством влюбленных. Немного позднее, при папе Юлии Первом, у Понте-Молле была выстроена церковь св.Валентина, а городские ворота надолго получили название «ворота Валентина».

Святой Валентин упомянут как славный мученик в Сакраментарии святого Григория, в Римском Миссале Томмази и в целом ряде британских житий святых. В Средние века изображали его обычно либо с мечом и пальмовой ветвью – символами его мученичества, либо в момент исцеления дочери судьи Астерия.

В последующие девять веков имя святого упоминается в Мученических актах, самый ранний из которых датируется шестым или седьмым веком, и в «Золотой Легенде» — житиях святых 1260 года, где впервые упоминается о встрече Валентина с «императором Клавдием», отказе предать Христа и об исцелении дочери тюремщика от слепоты и глухоты. По всей видимости, здесь уже сливаются воедино два жития абсолютно разных святых, как мы это увидим немного позже.

Что касается романтических легенд, тайно совершенных браков, записок «от твоего Валентина», ни о чем подобном не упоминается нигде вплоть до тех самых пор, пока английский поэт Джеффри Чосер в 1382 году в поэме «Птичий парламент» не упомянул, что птицы в Валентинов день начинают искать себе пару. Эта фраза не вполне, впрочем, точна – в британском климате птицы начинают обустраивать личную жизнь несколько позже, но романтическая литература, вступавшая в пору расцвета, подхватила ее, развила и растиражировала в множестве более поздних произведений. Энциклопедия Брокгауза и Эфрона, изданная более ста лет назад, утверждает, что «14 февраля в Англии и Шотландии в старину сопровождался своеобразным обычаем. Накануне дня, посвященного св. Валентину, собирались молодые люди и клали в урну соответственное их числу количество билетиков, с обозначенными на них именами молодых девушек; потом каждый вынимал один такой билетик. Девушка, имя которой доставалось таким образом молодому человеку, становилась на предстоящий год его «Валентиной», так же как и он ее «Валентином», что влекло за собой между молодыми людьми на целый год отношения вроде тех, какие, по описаниям средневековых романов, существовали между рыцарем и его «дамой сердца». Обычай этот, о котором так трогательно говорит Офелия в своей знаменитой песне, по всей вероятности, происхождения языческого. Еще поныне Валентинов день в Шотландии и Англии дает молодежи повод к разнообразным шуткам и развлечениям».

Обычай посылать любимым открытки в день святого Валентина также возник в Средние века. Самой первой валентинкой в мире считается записка, отправленная из тюремного заключения в лондонском Тауэре в 1415 году Карлом, герцогом Орлеанским, и адресованная его жене.

Современное почитание и современный праздник

Что касается почитания святого, то в новейшие времена произошло вот что. Во время реформы Римско-Католического календаря святых, произведенной в 1969 году, празднование памяти св.Валентина как общецерковного святого было упразднено на том основании, что не имеется никаких сведений об этом мученике, кроме имени и информации об усечении мечом. На сегодняшний день 14 февраля память святого Валентина совершается исключительно факультативно.

В Православной Церкви, напротив, святой Валентин почитается по-прежнему. Точнее, оба упомянутых ранее мученика – епископ и пресвитер – имеют собственные дни поминовения. Валентин Римлянин – пресвитер – почитается 19 (6) июля, а священномученик Валентин, епископ Интерамны, — 12 августа (30 июля). Если внимательно прочитать жития этих святых, то становится видно, что в распространенных ныне легендах смешались фрагменты, относящиеся к совсем разным людям, да еще средневековые сочинения дополнили их множеством романтичных, но совершенно нереалистичных эпизодов.

Таким образом получается, что возникновению имиджа святого Валентина как покровителя влюбленных, а также многочисленных легенд, связанных с ним, мы обязаны Средним векам и их романтической литературе, а отнюдь не обстоятельствам жизни реальных мучеников, погибших на заре христианства.

И если уж говорить о том, «чей» это праздник, то придется признать, что вот уже более сорока лет в католическом богослужебном календаре никакого Валентинова дня нет, вместо него 14 февраля празднуется память святых равноапостольных Кирилла и Мефодия. Так что на сегодняшний день оба святых Валентина – «наши», на общецерковном уровне их память чтит только Православная Церковь.

Что же касается идеи о возможном возникновении праздника святого Валентина – покровителя влюбленных как христианизированной замены Луперкалий, то возникла она в XVIII веке в качестве гипотезы у антикваров Албана Батлера — составителя «Батлерова жития святых» — и Франсиса Дуса именно в связи с тем, что о реальном Валентине не было известно абсолютно ничего. Собственно, и у этой гипотезы нет никаких достоверных подтверждений, кроме попытки привязать сочинения XIV века к реалиям третьего. Здесь я только кратко излагаю хронологию событий, а всех интересующихся приглашаю познакомиться поближе с исследованиями историков Уильяма Френда и Джека Оруча, опубликованными в 1967–1981 годах.

С течением времени малоизвестный обычай посылать любимым 14 февраля небольшие сувениры и записочки, существовавший главным образом в Англии и Франции, вместе с эмигрантами попал в Новый Свет, где и был поставлен на широкую ногу. Начиналось все достаточно безобидно, с блокнотов стихов, напечатанных на отрывных страничках в помощь влюбленным, не одаренным поэтическим даром, но постепенно дух века нынешнего взял свое. В разных странах к нему относятся по-разному, где-то празднуют широко, где-то весьма скромно. И вот что я по этому поводу думаю.

Читайте также — Поместить святого Валентина в церковный календарь

Любовь против коммерции

Мне не близок весь тот коммерческий «валентиновский» ажиотаж, который возникает еще в январе, следом за рождественскими распродажами. Но точно так же мне не по духу использование Рождества и Пасхи в качестве поводов для увеличения торговли. Мне не нравится создание специфического, достаточно дурновкусного, антуража и постепенный перенос основного акцента праздника с любви — рыцарского поклонения, как это было во времена Чосера и его эпигонов, на любовь-«эрос».

Но вот что важно. В нашей жизни, на самом деле, любви истинной, любви дающей, а не ждущей чего-то для себя, места отводится совсем мало. Мы все читали евангельские слова или в кино видели, как юный, светящийся Андрей Рублев объясняет маленькой княжне, что такое любовь. Но часто ли мы сами говорим своим любимым о своих чувствах? Часто ли стараемся порадовать их хотя бы маленьким подарком просто так, без всякого повода? Боюсь, что очень редко. То дела заедают, то свои проблемы, когда не о другом человеке думается, а себя жалко, себе хочется и утешения, и внимания. Да и не принято в нашей культуре особенно о чувствах говорить, в любви признаваться, особенно если пара уже не первый год вместе живет. Любовь, романтика – это все удел молодых, так часто считают.

И разве плохо, если нам хоть так, при помощи иноземного календаря, напоминают о том, что хорошо бы сделать маленькое доброе чудо для наших самых родных и любимых людей? В конце концов, это же от нас самих зависит – поддаваться на коммерческие приманки или нет, следовать навязываемым извне традициям или создавать что-то свое, собственное.

По-моему, праздник любви – это замечательно. Но не громкий, пафосный, отмечаемый практически по единому сценарию от яслей до офисов, а камерный праздник любящих людей, позволяющий нам вспомнить о том, что мы не только родители, дети, ответственные работники, пастыри и прихожане, но еще и просто мужчины и женщины, любящие и любимые.

Что мы вместе не только ради продолжения рода и решения всевозможных хозяйственных задач, но и просто ради друг друга и того чувства, которое нас связало.

Помните, что сказал замечательный сказочник христианин Евгений Шварц? «Слава храбрецам, которые осмеливаются любить, зная, что всему этому придет конец. Слава безумцам, которые живут так, как будто они бессмертны, — смерть иной раз отступает от них». Давайте не будем забывать об этом, и пусть не один день у нас будет праздником любви, а вся жизнь.

О дне святого Валентина на «Правмире»:

• День святого Валентина: любовь или праздничная распродажа?
• О дне святого Валентина
• Протоиерей Максим Первозванский: «День святого Валентина» — повод поговорить с подростками

Видео о дне святого Валентина:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F02w8Pt0Yr0

Valentine’s Day
1909 Valentine’s card
Also called	Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine
Observed by	People in many countries; Anglican Communion (see calendar) Lutheran Church (see calendar) Traditionalist Catholicism (see calendar)
Type	Christian, romantic, cultural, commercial observance
Significance	Feast day of Saint Valentine; the celebration of love and affection
Observances	Sending greeting cards and gifts, dating, church services, novenas
Date	February 14 (fixed by the Western Christian Church) July 6 (fixed by the Eastern Orthodox Church) July 30 (fixed by the Eastern Orthodox Church)
Frequency	Annual

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine,^[1] is celebrated annually on February 14.^[2] It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.^[3]

There are a number of martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14,^[4] including an account of the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century.^[5][6] According to an early tradition, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his jailer.^[7] Numerous later additions to the legend have better related it to the theme of love: an 18th-century embellishment to the legend claims he wrote the jailer’s daughter a letter signed «Your Valentine» as a farewell before his execution;^[8] another tradition posits that Saint Valentine performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry.^[6]

The 8th century Gelasian Sacramentary recorded the celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14.^[9][10] The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries when notions of courtly love flourished, apparently by association with the «lovebirds» of early spring. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as «valentines»). Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.^[11] In Italy, Saint Valentine’s Keys are given to lovers «as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart», as well as to children to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine’s Malady).^[12]

Saint Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday in any country, although it is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion^[13] and the Lutheran Church.^[14] Many parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day on July 6 in honor of Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and on July 30 in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni).^[15]

Saint Valentine

History

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine.^[16] The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).^[17] Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred in 269 and was added to the calendar of saints by Pope Gelasius I in 496 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. The relics of Saint Valentine were kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome, which «remained an important pilgrim site throughout the Middle Ages until the relics of St. Valentine were transferred to the church of Santa Prassede during the pontificate of Nicholas IV».^[18][19] The flower-crowned skull of Saint Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. Other relics are found at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.^[20]

Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna (now Terni, in central Italy) and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian in 273. He is buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location from Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino). Professor Jack B. Oruch of the University of Kansas notes that «abstracts of the acts of the two saints were in nearly every church and monastery of Europe.»^[21] The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.^[22] A relic claimed to be Saint Valentine of Terni’s head was preserved in the abbey of New Minster, Winchester, and venerated.^[23]

February 14 is celebrated as St. Valentine’s Day in various Christian denominations; it has, for example, the rank of ‘commemoration’ in the calendar of saints in the Anglican Communion.^[13] In addition, the feast day of Saint Valentine is also given in the calendar of saints of the Lutheran Church.^[14] However, in the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: «Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14.»^[24]

The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Second Vatican Council calendar (see General Roman Calendar of 1960).

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, St. Valentine is recognized on July 6, in which Saint Valentine, the Roman presbyter, is honoured; in addition, the Eastern Orthodox Church observes the feast of Hieromartyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, on July 30.^[25][26][27]

J.C. Cooper, in The Dictionary of Christianity, writes that Saint Valentine was «a priest of Rome who was imprisoned for succouring persecuted Christians.»^[28] Contemporary records of Saint Valentine were most probably destroyed during this Diocletianic Persecution in the early 4th century.^[29] In the 5th or 6th century, a work called Passio Marii et Marthae published a story of martyrdom for Saint Valentine of Rome, perhaps by borrowing tortures that happened to other saints, as was usual in the literature of that period. The same events are also found in Bede’s Martyrology, which was compiled in the 8th century.^[29][30] It states that Saint Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing Julia, the blind daughter of his jailer Asterius. The jailer’s daughter and his forty-six member household (family members and servants) came to believe in Jesus and were baptized.^[31][29]

A later Passio repeated the legend, adding that Pope Julius I built a church over his sepulchre (it is a confusion with a 4th-century tribune called Valentino who donated land to build a church at a time when Julius was a Pope).^[30] The legend was picked up as fact by later martyrologies, starting with Bede’s martyrology in the 8th century.^[30] It was repeated in the 13th century, in The Golden Legend.^[32]

There is an additional embellishment to The Golden Legend, which according to Henry Ansgar Kelly, was added in the 18th century and widely repeated.^[33] On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he is supposed to have written the first «valentine» card himself, addressed to the daughter of his jailer Asterius, who was no longer blind, signing as «Your Valentine.»^[33] The expression «From your Valentine» was later adopted by modern Valentine letters.^[34] This legend has been published by both American Greetings and The History Channel.^[35]

John Foxe, an English historian, as well as the Order of Carmelites, state that Saint Valentine was buried in the Church of Praxedes in Rome, located near the cemetery of Saint Hippolytus. This order says that according to legend, «Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.»^[36][37]

Another embellishment suggests that Saint Valentine performed clandestine Christian weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry.^[38] The Roman Emperor Claudius II supposedly forbade this in order to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers.^[38][39] However, George Monger writes that this marriage ban was never issued and that Claudius II told his soldiers to take two or three women for themselves after his victory over the Goths.^[40]

According to legend, in order «to remind these men of their vows and God’s love, Saint Valentine is said to have cut hearts from parchment», giving them to these soldiers and persecuted Christians, a possible origin of the widespread use of hearts on St. Valentine’s Day.^[41]

Saint Valentine supposedly wore a purple amethyst ring, customarily worn on the hands of Christian bishops with an image of Cupid engraved in it, a recognizable symbol associated with love that was legal under the Roman Empire;^[39][42] Roman soldiers would recognize the ring and ask him to perform marriage for them.^[39] Probably due to the association with Saint Valentine, amethyst has become the birthstone of February, which is thought to attract love.^[43]

Folk traditions

While the European folk traditions connected with Saint Valentine and St. Valentine’s Day have become marginalized by modern customs connecting the day with romantic love, there are still some connections with the advent of spring.

While the custom of sending cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts originated in the UK, Valentine’s Day still remains connected with various regional customs in England. In Norfolk, a character called ‘Jack’ Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person.^[44][45]

In Slovenia, Saint Valentine or Zdravko was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health and the patron of beekeepers and pilgrims.^[46]
A proverb says that «Saint Valentine brings the keys of roots». Plants and flowers start to grow on this day. It has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the vineyards and in the fields commences. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day. Another proverb says «Valentin – prvi spomladin» («Valentine – the first spring saint»), as in some places (especially White Carniola), Saint Valentine marks the beginning of spring.^[47] Valentine’s Day has only recently been celebrated as the day of love. The day of love was traditionally March 12, the Saint Gregory’s day, or February 22, Saint Vincent’s Day. The patron of love was Saint Anthony, whose day has been celebrated on June 13.^[46]

Connection with romantic love

Possible ancient origins

The «Feast» (Latin: «in natali», lit.: on the birthday) of Saint Valentine originated in Christendom and has been marked by the Western Church of Christendom in honour of one of the Christian martyrs named Valentine, as recorded in the 8th century Gelasian Sacramentary.^[21][10] In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia was observed February 13–15 on behalf of Pan & Juno, pagan gods of love, marriage & fertility. It was a rite connected to purification and health, and had only slight connection to fertility (as a part of health) and none to love. The celebration of Saint Valentine is not known to have had any romantic connotations until Chaucer’s poetry about «Valentine’s Day» in the 14th century, some seven hundred years after celebration of Lupercalia is believed to have ceased.^[29] Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning «Juno the purifier» or «the chaste Juno», was celebrated on February 13–14. Although the Pope Gelasius I (492–496) article in the Catholic Encyclopedia says that he abolished Lupercalia, theologian and Methodist minister Bruce Forbes wrote that «no evidence» has been demonstrated to link St. Valentine’s Day and the rites of the ancient Roman purification festival of Lupercalia, despite claims by many authors to the contrary.^{[notes 1][23][48][49]}

Some researchers have theorized that Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with the celebration of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and claim a connection to the 14th century’s connotations of romantic love, but there is no historical indication that he ever intended such a thing.^{[notes 2][49][50]} Also, the dates do not fit because at the time of Gelasius I, the feast was only celebrated in Jerusalem, and it was on February 14 only because Jerusalem placed the Nativity of Jesus (Christmas) on January 6.^{[notes 3]} Although it was called «Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary», it also dealt with the presentation of Jesus at the temple.^[51] Jerusalem’s Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary on February 14 became the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple on February 2 as it was introduced to Rome and other places in the sixth century, after Gelasius I’s time.^[51]

Alban Butler in his The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints (1756–1759) claimed without proof that men and women in Lupercalia drew names from a jar to make couples, and that modern Valentine’s letters originated from this custom. In reality, this practice originated in the Middle Ages, with no link to Lupercalia, with men drawing the names of girls at random to couple with them. This custom was combated by priests, for example by Frances de Sales around 1600, apparently by replacing it with a religious custom of girls drawing the names of apostles from the altar. However, this religious custom is recorded as soon as the 13th century in the life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, so it could have a different origin.^[23]

Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls

The first recorded association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love is believed to be in the Parliament of Fowls (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer, a dream vision portraying a parliament for birds to choose their mates.^[29] Honoring the first anniversary of the engagement of fifteen-year-old King Richard II of England to fifteen-year-old Anne of Bohemia,^[52] Chaucer wrote (in Middle English):

«For this was on seynt Valentynes day
Whan every foul cometh there to chese his make
Of every kynde that men thynke may
And that so huge a noyse gan they make
That erthe, and eyr, and tre, and every lake
So ful was, that unethe was there space
For me to stonde, so ful was al the place.»^[53][54]

In modern English:

«For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day
When every bird comes there to choose his match
Of every kind that men may think of
And that so huge a noise they began to make
That earth and air and tree and every lake
Was so full, that not easily was there space
For me to stand—so full was all the place.»

Readers have uncritically assumed that Chaucer was referring to February 14 as Valentine’s Day. Henry Ansgar Kelly has observed that Chaucer might have had in mind the feast day of St. Valentine of Genoa, an early bishop of Genoa who died around AD 307; it was probably celebrated on 3 May.^[52][55][56] A treaty providing for Richard II and Anne’s marriage, the subject of the poem, was signed on May 2, 1381.^[57]

Jack B. Oruch notes that the date on which spring begins has changed since Chaucer’s time because of the precession of the equinoxes and the introduction of the more accurate Gregorian calendar only in 1582. On the Julian calendar in use in Chaucer’s time, February 14 would have fallen on the date now called February 23, a time when some birds have started mating and nesting in England.^[29]

Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls refers to a supposedly established tradition, but there is no record of such a tradition before Chaucer. The speculative derivation of sentimental customs from the distant past began with 18th-century antiquaries, notably Alban Butler, the author of Butler’s Lives of Saints, and have been perpetuated even by respectable modern scholars. Most notably, «the idea that Valentine’s Day customs perpetuated those of the Roman Lupercalia has been accepted uncritically and repeated, in various forms, up to the present».^[23][58]

Three other authors who made poems about birds mating on St. Valentine’s Day around the same years: Otton de Grandson from Savoy, John Gower from England, and a knight called Pardo from Valencia. Chaucer most probably predated all of them; but due to the difficulty of dating medieval works, it is not possible to ascertain which of the four may have influenced the others.^[59]

Court of love

The earliest description of February 14 as an annual celebration of love appears in the Charter of the Court of Love. The charter, allegedly issued by Charles VI of France at Mantes-la-Jolie in 1400, describes lavish festivities to be attended by several members of the royal court, including a feast, amorous song and poetry competitions, jousting and dancing.^[60] Amid these festivities, the attending ladies would hear and rule on disputes from lovers.^[61] No other record of the court exists, and none of those named in the charter were present at Mantes except Charles’s queen, Isabeau of Bavaria, who may well have imagined it all while waiting out a plague.^[60]

Valentine poetry

The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orléans to his wife, which commences.

«Je suis desja d’amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée…»

— Charles d’Orléans, Rondeau VI, lines 1–2^[62]

At the time, the duke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415.^[63]

The earliest surviving valentines in English appear to be those in the Paston Letters, written in 1477 by Margery Brewes to her future husband John Paston «my right well-beloved Valentine».^[64]

Valentine’s Day is mentioned ruefully by Ophelia in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1600–1601):

«To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn’d his clothes,
And dupp’d the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.»

— William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

John Donne used the legend of the marriage of the birds as the starting point for his epithalamion celebrating the marriage of Elizabeth, daughter of James I of England, and Frederick V, Elector Palatine, on Valentine’s Day:

«Hayle Bishop Valentine whose day this is

All the Ayre is thy Diocese
And all the chirping Queristers
And other birds ar thy parishioners
Thou marryest every yeare
The Lyrick Lark, and the graue whispering Doue,
The Sparrow that neglects his life for loue,
The houshold bird with the redd stomacher
Thou makst the Blackbird speede as soone,
As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon
The Husband Cock lookes out and soone is spedd
And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.
This day more cheerfully than ever shine

This day which might inflame thy selfe old Valentine.»

— John Donne, Epithalamion Vpon Frederick Count Palatine and the Lady Elizabeth marryed on St. Valentines day

The verse «Roses are red» echoes conventions traceable as far back as Edmund Spenser’s epic The Faerie Queene (1590):

«She bath’d with roses red, and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowres [sic], that in the forrest grew.»^[65]

The modern cliché Valentine’s Day poem can be found in Gammer Gurton’s Garland (1784), a collection of English nursery rhymes published in London by Joseph Johnson:

«The rose is red, the violet’s blue,

The honey’s sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,

And Fortune said it shou’d be you.»^[66][67]

Modern times

In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own. Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches, called «mechanical valentines.» Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century.^[68] In 1835, 60,000 Valentine cards were sent by post in the United Kingdom, despite postage being expensive.^[69]

A reduction in postal rates following Sir Rowland Hill’s postal reforms with the 1840 invention of the postage stamp (Penny Black) saw the number of Valentines posted increase, with 400,000 sent just one year after its invention, and ushered in the less personal but easier practice of mailing Valentines.^[70] That made it possible for the first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly Victorian.^[71] Production increased, «Cupid’s Manufactory» as Charles Dickens termed it, with over 3,000 women employed in manufacturing.^[70] The Laura Seddon Greeting Card Collection at Manchester Metropolitan University gathers 450 Valentine’s Day cards dating from early nineteenth century Britain, printed by the major publishers of the day.^[72] The collection appears in Seddon’s book Victorian Valentines (1996).^[73]

In the United States, the first mass-produced Valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828–1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts.^[74][75] Her father operated a large book and stationery store, but Howland took her inspiration from an English Valentine she had received from a business associate of her father.^[76][77] Intrigued with the idea of making similar Valentines, Howland began her business by importing paper lace and floral decorations from England.^[77][78] A writer in Graham’s American Monthly observed in 1849, «Saint Valentine’s Day … is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday.»^[79] The English practice of sending Valentine’s cards was established enough to feature as a plot device in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Mr. Harrison’s Confessions (1851): «I burst in with my explanations: ‘The valentine I know nothing about.’ ‘It is in your handwriting’, said he coldly.»^[80] Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual «Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary».^[75]

Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.^[11] In the UK, just under half of the population spend money on their Valentines, and around £1.9 billion was spent in 2015 on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts.^[81] The mid-19th century Valentine’s Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the U.S. to follow.^[82]

In 1868, the British chocolate company Cadbury created Fancy Boxes – a decorated box of chocolates – in the shape of a heart for Valentine’s Day.^[83][84] Boxes of filled chocolates quickly became associated with the holiday.^[83] In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts, such as giving jewelry.

The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities are included the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines.^[74] The average valentine’s spending has increased every year in the U.S, from $108 a person in 2010 to $131 in 2013.^[85]

The rise of Internet popularity at the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Millions of people use, every year, digital means of creating and sending Valentine’s Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons or printable greeting cards. Valentine’s Day is considered by some to be a Hallmark holiday due to its commercialization.^[86]

In the modern era, liturgically, the Lutheran Church and Anglican Church have a service for St. Valentine’s Day (the Feast of St. Valentine), which includes the optional rite of the renewal of marriage vows.^[87][88] In 2016, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales established a novena prayer «to support single people seeking a spouse ahead of St Valentine’s Day.»^[89]

Celebration and status worldwide

Valentine’s Day customs – sending greeting cards (known as «valentines»), offering confectionery and presenting flowers – developed in early modern England and spread throughout the English-speaking world in the 19th century. In the later 20th and early 21st centuries, these customs spread to other countries, like those of Halloween, or than aspects of Christmas, (such as Santa Claus).

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many East Asian countries with Singaporeans, Chinese and South Koreans spending the most money on Valentine’s gifts.^[90]

Americas

Latin America

In most Latin American countries, for example, Costa Rica,^[91] Mexico,^[92] and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, Saint Valentine’s Day is known as Día de los Enamorados (‘Day of Lovers’)^[93] or as Día del Amor y la Amistad (‘Day of Love and Friendship’). It is also common to see people perform «acts of appreciation» for their friends.^[94]

In Guatemala it is known as Día del Cariño (‘Affection Day’).^[95] Some countries, in particular the Dominican Republic and El Salvador,^[96] have a tradition called Amigo secreto («Secret friend»), which is a game similar to the Christmas tradition of Secret Santa.^[94]

Brazil

In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados (lit. «Lovers’ Day», or «Boyfriends’/Girlfriends’ Day») is celebrated on June 12, probably because that is the day before Saint Anthony’s day, known there as the ‘marriage saint’,^{[citation needed]} when traditionally many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or boyfriend. Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards, and flower bouquets. The February 14 Valentine’s Day is not celebrated at all because it usually falls too little before or too little after the Brazilian Carnival^[97] – that can fall anywhere from early February to early March and lasts almost a week. Because of the absence of Valentine’s Day and due to the celebrations of the Carnivals, Brazil was recommended by U.S. News & World Report as a tourist destination during February for Western singles who want to get away from the holiday.^[98]

Colombia

Colombia celebrates Día del amor y la amistad on the third Saturday in September instead.^[99] Amigo Secreto is also popular there.^[100]

United States

On the United States mainland, about 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, not including the hundreds of millions of cards school children exchange.^[101]

Valentine’s Day is a major source of economic activity, with total expenditures in 2017 topping $18.2 billion in 2017, or over $136 per person.^[102] This is an increase from $108 per person in 2010.^[85] In 2019, a survey by the National Retail Federation found that over the previous decade, the percentage of people who celebrate Valentine’s Day had declined steadily. From their survey results, they found three primary reasons: over-commercialization of the holiday, not having a significant other, and not being interested in celebrating it.^[103]

Asia

Afghanistan

In pre-Taliban years Koch-e-Gul-Faroushi (Flower Street) in the down town Kabul used to be adorned with innovative flower arrangements to attract Valentine’s Day celebrating youth.^[104] In the Afghan tradition, love is often expressed through poetry. Some new generation budding poets like Ramin Mazhar, Mahtab Sahel are expressing themselves through poetry using Valentine’s Day expressing concerns on any likelihood of erosion of freedoms. In their political comment they defy fear by saying I kiss you amid the Taliban^[105][106]

Bangladesh

Valentine’s Day was first celebrated in Bangladesh by Shafik Rehman, a journalist and editor of Jaijaidin in 1993. He was acquainted with Western culture by studying in London.^[107] He highlighted Valentine’s Day to the Bangladeshi people through Jaijaidin newspaper. Rehman is called the «father of Valentine’s Day in Bangladesh».^[108] On this day, people in various bonds including lovers, friends, husbands and wives, mothers and children, students and teachers express their love for each other with flowers, chocolates, cards and other gifts. On this day, various parks and recreation centers of the country are full of people of love.^[109][110] No public holiday is declared on this day in Bangladesh.

Some in Bangladesh feel that celebrating this day is not acceptable from a cultural and Islamic point of view.^[111] Before the celebration of Valentine’s Day, February 14 was celebrated as the anti-authoritarian day in Bangladesh. However, that day is disregarded by people to celebrate Valentine’s Day.^{[112][113][114]}

China

In Chinese, Valentine’s Day is called lovers’ festival (simplified Chinese: 情人节; traditional Chinese: 情人節; Mandarin: Qīng Rén Jié; Hokkien: Chêng Lîn Chiat; Cantonese: Chìhng Yàhn Jit; Shanghainese Xin Yin Jiq). The «Chinese Valentine’s Day» is the Qixi Festival (meaning «The Night of Sevens» (Chinese: 七夕; pinyin: Qi Xi)), celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. According to the legend, the Cowherd star and the Weaver Maid star are normally separated by the Milky Way (silvery river) but are allowed to meet by crossing it on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar.^[115]

In recent years, celebrating White Day has also become fashionable among some young people.^[116]

India

In ancient India, there was a tradition of adoring Kamadeva, the lord of love — exemplified by the erotic carvings in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments and by the writing of the Kamasutra.^[117] This tradition was lost around the Middle Ages, when Kamadeva was no longer celebrated, and public displays of sexual affection became frowned upon.^[117] This repression of public affections began to loosen in the 1990s.^[118]

Valentine’s Day celebrations did not catch on in India until around 1992. It was spread due to the programs in commercial TV channels, such as MTV, dedicated radio programs, and love letter competitions, in addition to an economical liberalization that allowed the explosion of the valentine card industry.^[117][119] The celebration has caused a sharp change on how people have been displaying their affection in public since the Middle Ages.^[117]

On a 2018 online survey, it was found that 68% of the respondents do not wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day.^[120] It can be also observed that different religious groups, including Hindu,^[121] Muslim^[122] and Christian people of India do not support Valentine’s Day.

In modern times, Hindu and Islamic^[123] traditionalists have considered the holiday to be cultural contamination from the West, a result of globalization in India.^[117][119] Shiv Sena and the Sangh Parivar have asked their followers to shun the holiday and the «public admission of love» because of them being «alien to Indian culture».^[124] Although these protests are organized by political elites, the protesters themselves are middle-class Hindu men who fear that the globalization will destroy the traditions in their society: arranged marriages, Hindu joint families, full-time mothers, etc.^[119][123] Despite these obstacles, Valentine’s Day is becoming increasingly popular in India.^[125]

Valentine’s Day has been strongly criticized from a postcolonial perspective by intellectuals from the Indian left. The holiday is regarded as a front for «Western imperialism», «neocolonialism», and «the exploitation of working classes through commercialism by multinational corporations».^[126] It is claimed that as a result of Valentine’s Day, the working classes and rural poor become more disconnected socially, politically, and geographically from the hegemonic capitalist power structure. They also criticize mainstream media attacks on Indians opposed to Valentine’s Day as a form of demonization that is designed and derived to further the Valentine’s Day agenda.^[127][128]
Right wing Hindu nationalists are also hostile. In February 2012, Subash Chouhan of the Bajrang Dal warned couples that «They cannot kiss or hug in public places. Our activists will beat them up».^[129]
He said «We are not against love, but we criticize vulgar exhibition of love at public places».^[130]

Iran

The history of Valentine’s Day in Iran dates back to the Qajar era of the latter half of the 19th century—Naser al-Din Shah Qajar did not take his wife with him during his trip to Europe and he sent her a greeting card from distance on Valentine’s Day. This greeting card is available in Iranian museums.^[131]

Since the mid-2000s, Valentine’s Day has become increasingly popular in Iran, especially among young people. However, it has also been the subject of heavy criticism from Iranian conservatives, who see it as part of the spread of «decadent» Western culture.^[132] Since 2011, authorities have attempted to discourage celebrations and impose restrictions on the sale and production of Valentine’s Day-related goods, although the holiday remains popular as of 2018.^[133] Additionally, there have been efforts to revive the ancient Persian festival of Sepandārmazgān, which takes place around the same time, to replace Valentine’s Day, although, as of 2016, this has also been largely unsuccessful.^[134]

Israel

In Israel, the Jewish tradition of Tu B’Av has been revived and transformed into the Jewish equivalent of Valentine’s Day. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Av (usually in late August). In ancient times girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyards, where the boys would be waiting for them (Mishna Taanith end of Chapter 4). Today, Tu B’Av is celebrated as a second holiday of love by secular people (along with Valentine’s Day), and it shares many of the customs associated with Saint Valentine’s Day in western societies. In modern Israeli culture Tu B’Av is a popular day to proclaim love, propose marriage, and give gifts like cards or flowers.^[135]

Japan

In Japan, Morozoff Ltd. introduced the holiday for the first time in 1936, when it ran an advertisement aimed at foreigners. Later, in 1953, it began promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates; other Japanese confectionery companies followed suit thereafter. In 1958, the Isetan department store ran a «Valentine sale». Further campaigns during the 1960s popularized the custom.^[136][137]

The custom that only women give chocolates to men may have originated from the translation error of a chocolate-company executive during the initial campaigns.^[138] In particular, office ladies give chocolate to their co-workers. Unlike western countries, gifts such as greeting cards,^[138] candies, flowers, or dinner dates^[139] are uncommon, and most of the gifts-related activity is about giving the right amount of chocolate to each person.^[138] Japanese chocolate companies make half their annual sales during this time of the year.^[138]

Many women feel obliged to give chocolates to all male co-workers, except when the day falls on a Sunday, a holiday. This is known as giri-choko (義理チョコ), from ‘giri’ («obligation») and ‘choko’, («chocolate»), with unpopular co-workers receiving only «ultra-obligatory» (超義理チョコ ‘chō-giri choko’) cheap chocolate. This contrasts with honmei-choko (本命チョコ, lit. «true feeling chocolate»), chocolate given to a loved one. Friends, especially girls, may exchange chocolate referred to as tomo-choko (友チョコ, from ‘tomo’ meaning «friend»).^[140]

In the 1980s, the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association launched a successful campaign to make March 14 a «reply day», where men are expected to return the favour to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine’s Day, calling it White Day for the color of the chocolates being offered. A previous failed attempt to popularize this celebration had been done by a marshmallow manufacturer who wanted men to return marshmallows to women.^[136][137]

In Japan, the romantic «date night» associated with Valentine’s Day is celebrated on Christmas Eve.^[141]

Lebanon

Saint Valentine is the patron saint for a large part of the Lebanese population. Couples take the opportunity of Valentine’s feast day to exchange sweet words and gifts as proof of love. Such gifts typically include boxes of chocolates, cupcakes, and red roses, which are considered the emblem of sacrifice and passion.^{[citation needed]}

Lebanese people celebrate Valentine’s Day in a different way in every city. In Beirut, men take women out to dine and may buy them a gift. Many women are asked to marry on that day. In Sidon, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with the whole family – it is more about family love than a couple’s love.^{[citation needed]}

Malaysia

Islamic officials in West Malaysia warned Muslims against celebrating Valentine’s Day, linking it with vice activities. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the celebration of romantic love was «not suitable» for Muslims. Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, head of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which oversees the country’s Islamic policies said that a fatwa (ruling) issued by the country’s top clerics in 2005 noted that the day ‘is associated with elements of Christianity,’ and ‘we just cannot get involved with other religions’ worshipping rituals.’ Jakim officials planned to carry out a nationwide campaign called «Awas Jerat Valentine’s Day» («Mind the Valentine’s Day Trap»), aimed at preventing Muslims from celebrating the day on February 14, 2011. Activities include conducting raids in hotels to stop young couples from having unlawful sex and distributing leaflets to Muslim university students warning them against the day.^[142][143]

On Valentine’s Day 2011, West Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples concerning the celebration ban. Some of them would be charged in the Shariah Court for defying the department’s ban against the celebration of Valentine’s Day.^[144]

In East Malaysia, the celebration are much more tolerated among young Muslim couples although some Islamic officials and Muslim activists from the West side have told younger generations to refrain from such celebration by organising da’wah and tried to spread their ban into the East.^[145][146] In both the states of Sabah and Sarawak, the celebration is usually common with flowers.^{[147][148][149]}

Pakistan

The concept of Valentine’s Day was introduced into Pakistan during the late 1990s with special TV and radio programs. The Jamaat-e-Islami political party has called for the banning of Valentine’s Day celebration.^[125] Despite this, the celebration is becoming popular among urban youth and the florists expect to sell a great number of flowers, especially red roses. The case is the same with card publishers.^[150]

In 2016, the local governing body of Peshwar officially banned the celebration of Valentine’s Day in the city. The ban was also implemented in other cities such as Kohat by the local governments.^[151]

In 2017, the Islamabad High Court banned Valentine’s Day celebrations in public places in Pakistan.^[152] More than 80% of Dawn readers polled on its website agreed with this decision.^[111]

In 2018, because of a petition by a citizen, Abdul Waheed, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority advised broadcasters and newspapers against airing any Valentine’s Day celebrations.^[153][154]

Philippines

In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is called Araw ng mga Puso in much the same manner as in the West. It is usually marked by a steep increase in the price of flowers, particularly red roses.^[155] It is the most popular day for weddings,^[156] with some localities offering mass ceremonies for no charge.^[157]

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, in 2002 and 2008, religious police banned the sale of all Valentine’s Day items, telling shop workers to remove any red items, because the day is considered a Christian holiday.^[158][159] This ban has created a black market for roses and wrapping paper.^[159][160] In 2012, the religious police arrested more than 140 Muslims for celebrating the holiday, and confiscated all red roses from flower shops.^[161] Muslims are not allowed to celebrate the holiday, and non-Muslims can celebrate only behind closed doors.^[162]

«Saudi cleric Sheikh Muhammad Al-‘Arifi said on Valentine’s Day Eve that celebrating this holiday constitutes bid’a – a forbidden innovation and deviation from religious law and custom – and mimicry of the West.»^[163][164]

However, in 2017 and 2018, after a fatwa was widely circulated, the religious police did not prevent Muslims from celebrating the day.^[165] In 2018, Sheikh Ahmed Qasim Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi cleric and former president of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said that Valentine’s Day is not haram and is compatible with Islamic values.^[166][167]

Singapore

According to findings, Singaporeans are among the biggest spenders on Valentine’s Day, with 60% of Singaporeans indicating that they would spend between $100 and $500 during the season leading up to the holiday.^[90]

South Korea

In South Korea, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14 (White Day). On April 14 (Black Day), those who did not receive anything on February or March 14 go to a Chinese-Korean restaurant to eat black noodles (짜장면 jajangmyeon) and lament their ‘single life’.^[139] Koreans also celebrate Pepero Day on November 11, when young couples give each other Pepero cookies. The date ’11/11′ is intended to resemble the long shape of the cookie. The 14th of every month marks a love-related day in Korea, although most of them are obscure. From January to December: Candle Day, Valentine’s Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day.^[168] Korean women give a much higher amount of chocolate than Japanese women.^[139]

Taiwan

In Taiwan, traditional Qixi Festival, Valentine’s Day and White Day are all celebrated. However, the situation is the reverse of Japan’s. Men give gifts to women on Valentine’s Day, and women return them on White Day.^[139]

Europe

Estonia and Finland

In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called ystävänpäivä, which means «Friend’s Day». As the name indicates, this day is more about remembering friends, not significant others. In Estonia, Valentine’s Day was originally called valentinipäev and later also sõbrapäev (‘Friend’s Day’) as a calque of the Finnish term.^[169]

France

In France, a traditionally Catholic country, Valentine’s Day is known simply as «Saint Valentin», and is celebrated in much the same way as other western countries.^[170] The relics of Saint Valentin de Terni, the patron of the St Valentine’s Day, are in the Catholic church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Saint-Jean-l’Evangéliste located in the southern France town of Roquemaure, Gard. The celebrations of «Fête des Amoureux» takes place every two years on the Sunday closest to February 14. The village gets dressed in its 19th-century costume and put on the program with over 800 people.

Greece

St. Valentine’s Day, or Ημέρα του Αγίου Βαλεντίνου in Greek tradition was not associated with romantic love. In the Eastern Orthodox church there is another Saint who protects people who are in love, Hyacinth of Caesarea (feast day July 3), but this was not widely known until the late 1990s^[171] In contemporary Greece, Valentine’s Day is generally celebrated as in the common Western tradition.^[172]

Ireland

On Saint Valentine’s Day in Ireland, many individuals who seek true love make a Christian pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Valentine in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, which is said to house relics of Saint Valentine of Rome; they pray at the shrine in hope of finding romance.^[173] There lies a book in which foreigners and locals have written their prayer requests for love.^[174]

Poland

Saint Valentine’s Day was introduced to Poland together with the cult of Saint Valentine via Bavaria and Tyrol.^[175] However, it rose in popularity in the 1990s.^[175] The only (and the biggest) public celebration in Poland is held annually from 2002 in Chełmno^[175] under the name „Walentynki Chełmińskie” (Chełmno Valentine’s). Because Chełmno’s parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been holding the relic of St. Valentine since the Middle Ages, local cult of the saint has been combined with the Anglo-Saxon tradition.^[175]

Portugal

In Portugal, the holiday is known as «Dia dos Namorados» (Lover’s Day / Day of the Enamoured). As elsewhere, couples exchange gifts, but in some regions, women give a lenço de namorados («lovers’ handkerchief»), which is usually embroidered with love motifs.^[176]

Romania

In recent years, Romania has also started celebrating Valentine’s Day. This has drawn backlash from several groups, institutions,^[177] and nationalist organizations like Noua Dreaptǎ, who condemn Valentine’s Day for being superficial, commercialist, and imported Western kitsch. In order to counter the perceived denaturation of national culture, Dragobete, a spring festival celebrated in parts of Southern Romania, has been rekindled after having been ignored during the Communist years as the traditional Romanian holiday for lovers. The holiday is named after a character from Romanian folklore who was supposed to be the son of Baba Dochia.^[178] Its date used to vary depending on the geographical area, however nowadays it is commonly observed on February 24.^[179]

Scandinavia

In Denmark and Norway, February 14 is known as Valentinsdag, and is celebrated in much the same manner as in the United Kingdom.^[180] In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag («All Hearts’ Day») but is not widely celebrated. A 2016 survey revealed that less than 50% of men and women were planning to buy presents for their partners.^[181] The holiday has only been observed since the 1960s.^[180]

Spain

The holiday was first introduced in Spain through a 1948 advertisement campaign by the department store chain Galerías Preciados,^[182] and had become widespread by the 1970s.^[182]

Known as «San Valentín», the holiday is celebrated the same way as in the rest of the West.

United Kingdom

In the UK, just under half of the population spends money on their Valentines and around £1.3 billion is spent yearly on cards, flowers, chocolates, and other gifts, with an estimated 25 million cards being sent.^[183]

In Wales, some people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St. Dwynwen’s Day) on January 25 instead of (or as well as) Valentine’s Day. The day commemorates St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of love.^[184] The Welsh name for Saint Valentine is Sant Ffolant.

In a 2016 poll conducted by Channel 4 for Valentine’s Day, Jane Austen’s line, “My heart is, and always will be, yours”, from her novel Sense and Sensibility as said by Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) to Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson) in the acclaimed 1995 film adaptation, was voted the most romantic line from literature, film, and TV by thousands of women.^[185]

Restrictions on Valentine’s day in some countries

The celebration of Valentine’s Day has been banned in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia due to beliefs the holiday conflicts with Islamic culture.^[111]

Since 2009, certain practices pertaining to Valentine’s Day (such as giving flowers, cards, or other gifts suggestive of Valentine’s Day) are banned in Iran.^[186] Iran’s Law Enforcement Force prosecutes distributors of goods with symbols associated with Valentine’s Day.^[187] In 2021, the Prosecutor’s Office of Qom, Iran, stated that it will prosecute those who disseminate and provide anti-cultural symbols like those of Valentine’s Day.^[188] Although Valentine’s Day is not accepted or approved by any institution in Iran and has no official status, it’s highly accepted among a large part of the population.^[189] One of the reasons for Valentine’s Day acceptance since the 2000s by the general population is the change in relations between the sexes, and because sexual relationship are no longer strictly limited to be within marriage.^[190]

See also

• World Kiss Day
• Dia dos Namorados
• Sailor’s valentine
• Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre
• Singles Awareness Day
• Steak and Blowjob Day
• Valentine’s Day (2010 film)
• V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls.
• Women’s Memorial March, held on Valentine’s Day in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Cake and Cunnilingus Day

Notes

References

Bibliography

Further reading

• Anthony M. Sammarco (January 24, 2022). Valentine’s Day Traditions in Boston. America Through Time. ISBN 978-1635001075.

External links

Valentine’s Day
1909 Valentine’s card
Also called	Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine
Observed by	People in many countries; Anglican Communion (see calendar) Lutheran Church (see calendar) Traditionalist Catholicism (see calendar)
Type	Christian, romantic, cultural, commercial observance
Significance	Feast day of Saint Valentine; the celebration of love and affection
Observances	Sending greeting cards and gifts, dating, church services, novenas
Date	February 14 (fixed by the Western Christian Church) July 6 (fixed by the Eastern Orthodox Church) July 30 (fixed by the Eastern Orthodox Church)
Frequency	Annual

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine,^[1] is celebrated annually on February 14.^[2] It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.^[3]

There are a number of martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14,^[4] including an account of the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century.^[5][6] According to an early tradition, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his jailer.^[7] Numerous later additions to the legend have better related it to the theme of love: an 18th-century embellishment to the legend claims he wrote the jailer’s daughter a letter signed «Your Valentine» as a farewell before his execution;^[8] another tradition posits that Saint Valentine performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry.^[6]

The 8th century Gelasian Sacramentary recorded the celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14.^[9][10] The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries when notions of courtly love flourished, apparently by association with the «lovebirds» of early spring. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as «valentines»). Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.^[11] In Italy, Saint Valentine’s Keys are given to lovers «as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart», as well as to children to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine’s Malady).^[12]

Saint Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday in any country, although it is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion^[13] and the Lutheran Church.^[14] Many parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day on July 6 in honor of Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and on July 30 in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni).^[15]

Saint Valentine

History

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine.^[16] The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).^[17] Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred in 269 and was added to the calendar of saints by Pope Gelasius I in 496 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. The relics of Saint Valentine were kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome, which «remained an important pilgrim site throughout the Middle Ages until the relics of St. Valentine were transferred to the church of Santa Prassede during the pontificate of Nicholas IV».^[18][19] The flower-crowned skull of Saint Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. Other relics are found at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.^[20]

Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna (now Terni, in central Italy) and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian in 273. He is buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location from Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino). Professor Jack B. Oruch of the University of Kansas notes that «abstracts of the acts of the two saints were in nearly every church and monastery of Europe.»^[21] The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.^[22] A relic claimed to be Saint Valentine of Terni’s head was preserved in the abbey of New Minster, Winchester, and venerated.^[23]

February 14 is celebrated as St. Valentine’s Day in various Christian denominations; it has, for example, the rank of ‘commemoration’ in the calendar of saints in the Anglican Communion.^[13] In addition, the feast day of Saint Valentine is also given in the calendar of saints of the Lutheran Church.^[14] However, in the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: «Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14.»^[24]

The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Second Vatican Council calendar (see General Roman Calendar of 1960).

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, St. Valentine is recognized on July 6, in which Saint Valentine, the Roman presbyter, is honoured; in addition, the Eastern Orthodox Church observes the feast of Hieromartyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, on July 30.^[25][26][27]

J.C. Cooper, in The Dictionary of Christianity, writes that Saint Valentine was «a priest of Rome who was imprisoned for succouring persecuted Christians.»^[28] Contemporary records of Saint Valentine were most probably destroyed during this Diocletianic Persecution in the early 4th century.^[29] In the 5th or 6th century, a work called Passio Marii et Marthae published a story of martyrdom for Saint Valentine of Rome, perhaps by borrowing tortures that happened to other saints, as was usual in the literature of that period. The same events are also found in Bede’s Martyrology, which was compiled in the 8th century.^[29][30] It states that Saint Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing Julia, the blind daughter of his jailer Asterius. The jailer’s daughter and his forty-six member household (family members and servants) came to believe in Jesus and were baptized.^[31][29]

A later Passio repeated the legend, adding that Pope Julius I built a church over his sepulchre (it is a confusion with a 4th-century tribune called Valentino who donated land to build a church at a time when Julius was a Pope).^[30] The legend was picked up as fact by later martyrologies, starting with Bede’s martyrology in the 8th century.^[30] It was repeated in the 13th century, in The Golden Legend.^[32]

There is an additional embellishment to The Golden Legend, which according to Henry Ansgar Kelly, was added in the 18th century and widely repeated.^[33] On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he is supposed to have written the first «valentine» card himself, addressed to the daughter of his jailer Asterius, who was no longer blind, signing as «Your Valentine.»^[33] The expression «From your Valentine» was later adopted by modern Valentine letters.^[34] This legend has been published by both American Greetings and The History Channel.^[35]

John Foxe, an English historian, as well as the Order of Carmelites, state that Saint Valentine was buried in the Church of Praxedes in Rome, located near the cemetery of Saint Hippolytus. This order says that according to legend, «Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.»^[36][37]

Another embellishment suggests that Saint Valentine performed clandestine Christian weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry.^[38] The Roman Emperor Claudius II supposedly forbade this in order to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers.^[38][39] However, George Monger writes that this marriage ban was never issued and that Claudius II told his soldiers to take two or three women for themselves after his victory over the Goths.^[40]

According to legend, in order «to remind these men of their vows and God’s love, Saint Valentine is said to have cut hearts from parchment», giving them to these soldiers and persecuted Christians, a possible origin of the widespread use of hearts on St. Valentine’s Day.^[41]

Saint Valentine supposedly wore a purple amethyst ring, customarily worn on the hands of Christian bishops with an image of Cupid engraved in it, a recognizable symbol associated with love that was legal under the Roman Empire;^[39][42] Roman soldiers would recognize the ring and ask him to perform marriage for them.^[39] Probably due to the association with Saint Valentine, amethyst has become the birthstone of February, which is thought to attract love.^[43]

Folk traditions

While the European folk traditions connected with Saint Valentine and St. Valentine’s Day have become marginalized by modern customs connecting the day with romantic love, there are still some connections with the advent of spring.

While the custom of sending cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts originated in the UK, Valentine’s Day still remains connected with various regional customs in England. In Norfolk, a character called ‘Jack’ Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person.^[44][45]

In Slovenia, Saint Valentine or Zdravko was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health and the patron of beekeepers and pilgrims.^[46]
A proverb says that «Saint Valentine brings the keys of roots». Plants and flowers start to grow on this day. It has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the vineyards and in the fields commences. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day. Another proverb says «Valentin – prvi spomladin» («Valentine – the first spring saint»), as in some places (especially White Carniola), Saint Valentine marks the beginning of spring.^[47] Valentine’s Day has only recently been celebrated as the day of love. The day of love was traditionally March 12, the Saint Gregory’s day, or February 22, Saint Vincent’s Day. The patron of love was Saint Anthony, whose day has been celebrated on June 13.^[46]

Connection with romantic love

Possible ancient origins

The «Feast» (Latin: «in natali», lit.: on the birthday) of Saint Valentine originated in Christendom and has been marked by the Western Church of Christendom in honour of one of the Christian martyrs named Valentine, as recorded in the 8th century Gelasian Sacramentary.^[21][10] In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia was observed February 13–15 on behalf of Pan & Juno, pagan gods of love, marriage & fertility. It was a rite connected to purification and health, and had only slight connection to fertility (as a part of health) and none to love. The celebration of Saint Valentine is not known to have had any romantic connotations until Chaucer’s poetry about «Valentine’s Day» in the 14th century, some seven hundred years after celebration of Lupercalia is believed to have ceased.^[29] Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning «Juno the purifier» or «the chaste Juno», was celebrated on February 13–14. Although the Pope Gelasius I (492–496) article in the Catholic Encyclopedia says that he abolished Lupercalia, theologian and Methodist minister Bruce Forbes wrote that «no evidence» has been demonstrated to link St. Valentine’s Day and the rites of the ancient Roman purification festival of Lupercalia, despite claims by many authors to the contrary.^{[notes 1][23][48][49]}

Some researchers have theorized that Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with the celebration of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and claim a connection to the 14th century’s connotations of romantic love, but there is no historical indication that he ever intended such a thing.^{[notes 2][49][50]} Also, the dates do not fit because at the time of Gelasius I, the feast was only celebrated in Jerusalem, and it was on February 14 only because Jerusalem placed the Nativity of Jesus (Christmas) on January 6.^{[notes 3]} Although it was called «Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary», it also dealt with the presentation of Jesus at the temple.^[51] Jerusalem’s Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary on February 14 became the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple on February 2 as it was introduced to Rome and other places in the sixth century, after Gelasius I’s time.^[51]

Alban Butler in his The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints (1756–1759) claimed without proof that men and women in Lupercalia drew names from a jar to make couples, and that modern Valentine’s letters originated from this custom. In reality, this practice originated in the Middle Ages, with no link to Lupercalia, with men drawing the names of girls at random to couple with them. This custom was combated by priests, for example by Frances de Sales around 1600, apparently by replacing it with a religious custom of girls drawing the names of apostles from the altar. However, this religious custom is recorded as soon as the 13th century in the life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, so it could have a different origin.^[23]

Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls

The first recorded association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love is believed to be in the Parliament of Fowls (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer, a dream vision portraying a parliament for birds to choose their mates.^[29] Honoring the first anniversary of the engagement of fifteen-year-old King Richard II of England to fifteen-year-old Anne of Bohemia,^[52] Chaucer wrote (in Middle English):

«For this was on seynt Valentynes day
Whan every foul cometh there to chese his make
Of every kynde that men thynke may
And that so huge a noyse gan they make
That erthe, and eyr, and tre, and every lake
So ful was, that unethe was there space
For me to stonde, so ful was al the place.»^[53][54]

In modern English:

«For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day
When every bird comes there to choose his match
Of every kind that men may think of
And that so huge a noise they began to make
That earth and air and tree and every lake
Was so full, that not easily was there space
For me to stand—so full was all the place.»

Readers have uncritically assumed that Chaucer was referring to February 14 as Valentine’s Day. Henry Ansgar Kelly has observed that Chaucer might have had in mind the feast day of St. Valentine of Genoa, an early bishop of Genoa who died around AD 307; it was probably celebrated on 3 May.^[52][55][56] A treaty providing for Richard II and Anne’s marriage, the subject of the poem, was signed on May 2, 1381.^[57]

Jack B. Oruch notes that the date on which spring begins has changed since Chaucer’s time because of the precession of the equinoxes and the introduction of the more accurate Gregorian calendar only in 1582. On the Julian calendar in use in Chaucer’s time, February 14 would have fallen on the date now called February 23, a time when some birds have started mating and nesting in England.^[29]

Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls refers to a supposedly established tradition, but there is no record of such a tradition before Chaucer. The speculative derivation of sentimental customs from the distant past began with 18th-century antiquaries, notably Alban Butler, the author of Butler’s Lives of Saints, and have been perpetuated even by respectable modern scholars. Most notably, «the idea that Valentine’s Day customs perpetuated those of the Roman Lupercalia has been accepted uncritically and repeated, in various forms, up to the present».^[23][58]

Three other authors who made poems about birds mating on St. Valentine’s Day around the same years: Otton de Grandson from Savoy, John Gower from England, and a knight called Pardo from Valencia. Chaucer most probably predated all of them; but due to the difficulty of dating medieval works, it is not possible to ascertain which of the four may have influenced the others.^[59]

Court of love

The earliest description of February 14 as an annual celebration of love appears in the Charter of the Court of Love. The charter, allegedly issued by Charles VI of France at Mantes-la-Jolie in 1400, describes lavish festivities to be attended by several members of the royal court, including a feast, amorous song and poetry competitions, jousting and dancing.^[60] Amid these festivities, the attending ladies would hear and rule on disputes from lovers.^[61] No other record of the court exists, and none of those named in the charter were present at Mantes except Charles’s queen, Isabeau of Bavaria, who may well have imagined it all while waiting out a plague.^[60]

Valentine poetry

The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orléans to his wife, which commences.

«Je suis desja d’amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée…»

— Charles d’Orléans, Rondeau VI, lines 1–2^[62]

At the time, the duke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415.^[63]

The earliest surviving valentines in English appear to be those in the Paston Letters, written in 1477 by Margery Brewes to her future husband John Paston «my right well-beloved Valentine».^[64]

Valentine’s Day is mentioned ruefully by Ophelia in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1600–1601):

«To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn’d his clothes,
And dupp’d the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.»

— William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

John Donne used the legend of the marriage of the birds as the starting point for his epithalamion celebrating the marriage of Elizabeth, daughter of James I of England, and Frederick V, Elector Palatine, on Valentine’s Day:

«Hayle Bishop Valentine whose day this is

All the Ayre is thy Diocese
And all the chirping Queristers
And other birds ar thy parishioners
Thou marryest every yeare
The Lyrick Lark, and the graue whispering Doue,
The Sparrow that neglects his life for loue,
The houshold bird with the redd stomacher
Thou makst the Blackbird speede as soone,
As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon
The Husband Cock lookes out and soone is spedd
And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.
This day more cheerfully than ever shine

This day which might inflame thy selfe old Valentine.»

— John Donne, Epithalamion Vpon Frederick Count Palatine and the Lady Elizabeth marryed on St. Valentines day

The verse «Roses are red» echoes conventions traceable as far back as Edmund Spenser’s epic The Faerie Queene (1590):

«She bath’d with roses red, and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowres [sic], that in the forrest grew.»^[65]

The modern cliché Valentine’s Day poem can be found in Gammer Gurton’s Garland (1784), a collection of English nursery rhymes published in London by Joseph Johnson:

«The rose is red, the violet’s blue,

The honey’s sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,

And Fortune said it shou’d be you.»^[66][67]

Modern times

In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own. Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches, called «mechanical valentines.» Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century.^[68] In 1835, 60,000 Valentine cards were sent by post in the United Kingdom, despite postage being expensive.^[69]

A reduction in postal rates following Sir Rowland Hill’s postal reforms with the 1840 invention of the postage stamp (Penny Black) saw the number of Valentines posted increase, with 400,000 sent just one year after its invention, and ushered in the less personal but easier practice of mailing Valentines.^[70] That made it possible for the first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly Victorian.^[71] Production increased, «Cupid’s Manufactory» as Charles Dickens termed it, with over 3,000 women employed in manufacturing.^[70] The Laura Seddon Greeting Card Collection at Manchester Metropolitan University gathers 450 Valentine’s Day cards dating from early nineteenth century Britain, printed by the major publishers of the day.^[72] The collection appears in Seddon’s book Victorian Valentines (1996).^[73]

In the United States, the first mass-produced Valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828–1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts.^[74][75] Her father operated a large book and stationery store, but Howland took her inspiration from an English Valentine she had received from a business associate of her father.^[76][77] Intrigued with the idea of making similar Valentines, Howland began her business by importing paper lace and floral decorations from England.^[77][78] A writer in Graham’s American Monthly observed in 1849, «Saint Valentine’s Day … is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday.»^[79] The English practice of sending Valentine’s cards was established enough to feature as a plot device in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Mr. Harrison’s Confessions (1851): «I burst in with my explanations: ‘The valentine I know nothing about.’ ‘It is in your handwriting’, said he coldly.»^[80] Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual «Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary».^[75]

Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.^[11] In the UK, just under half of the population spend money on their Valentines, and around £1.9 billion was spent in 2015 on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts.^[81] The mid-19th century Valentine’s Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the U.S. to follow.^[82]

In 1868, the British chocolate company Cadbury created Fancy Boxes – a decorated box of chocolates – in the shape of a heart for Valentine’s Day.^[83][84] Boxes of filled chocolates quickly became associated with the holiday.^[83] In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts, such as giving jewelry.

The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities are included the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines.^[74] The average valentine’s spending has increased every year in the U.S, from $108 a person in 2010 to $131 in 2013.^[85]

The rise of Internet popularity at the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Millions of people use, every year, digital means of creating and sending Valentine’s Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons or printable greeting cards. Valentine’s Day is considered by some to be a Hallmark holiday due to its commercialization.^[86]

In the modern era, liturgically, the Lutheran Church and Anglican Church have a service for St. Valentine’s Day (the Feast of St. Valentine), which includes the optional rite of the renewal of marriage vows.^[87][88] In 2016, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales established a novena prayer «to support single people seeking a spouse ahead of St Valentine’s Day.»^[89]

Celebration and status worldwide

Valentine’s Day customs – sending greeting cards (known as «valentines»), offering confectionery and presenting flowers – developed in early modern England and spread throughout the English-speaking world in the 19th century. In the later 20th and early 21st centuries, these customs spread to other countries, like those of Halloween, or than aspects of Christmas, (such as Santa Claus).

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many East Asian countries with Singaporeans, Chinese and South Koreans spending the most money on Valentine’s gifts.^[90]

Americas

Latin America

In most Latin American countries, for example, Costa Rica,^[91] Mexico,^[92] and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, Saint Valentine’s Day is known as Día de los Enamorados (‘Day of Lovers’)^[93] or as Día del Amor y la Amistad (‘Day of Love and Friendship’). It is also common to see people perform «acts of appreciation» for their friends.^[94]

In Guatemala it is known as Día del Cariño (‘Affection Day’).^[95] Some countries, in particular the Dominican Republic and El Salvador,^[96] have a tradition called Amigo secreto («Secret friend»), which is a game similar to the Christmas tradition of Secret Santa.^[94]

Brazil

In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados (lit. «Lovers’ Day», or «Boyfriends’/Girlfriends’ Day») is celebrated on June 12, probably because that is the day before Saint Anthony’s day, known there as the ‘marriage saint’,^{[citation needed]} when traditionally many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or boyfriend. Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards, and flower bouquets. The February 14 Valentine’s Day is not celebrated at all because it usually falls too little before or too little after the Brazilian Carnival^[97] – that can fall anywhere from early February to early March and lasts almost a week. Because of the absence of Valentine’s Day and due to the celebrations of the Carnivals, Brazil was recommended by U.S. News & World Report as a tourist destination during February for Western singles who want to get away from the holiday.^[98]

Colombia

Colombia celebrates Día del amor y la amistad on the third Saturday in September instead.^[99] Amigo Secreto is also popular there.^[100]

United States

On the United States mainland, about 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, not including the hundreds of millions of cards school children exchange.^[101]

Valentine’s Day is a major source of economic activity, with total expenditures in 2017 topping $18.2 billion in 2017, or over $136 per person.^[102] This is an increase from $108 per person in 2010.^[85] In 2019, a survey by the National Retail Federation found that over the previous decade, the percentage of people who celebrate Valentine’s Day had declined steadily. From their survey results, they found three primary reasons: over-commercialization of the holiday, not having a significant other, and not being interested in celebrating it.^[103]

Asia

Afghanistan

In pre-Taliban years Koch-e-Gul-Faroushi (Flower Street) in the down town Kabul used to be adorned with innovative flower arrangements to attract Valentine’s Day celebrating youth.^[104] In the Afghan tradition, love is often expressed through poetry. Some new generation budding poets like Ramin Mazhar, Mahtab Sahel are expressing themselves through poetry using Valentine’s Day expressing concerns on any likelihood of erosion of freedoms. In their political comment they defy fear by saying I kiss you amid the Taliban^[105][106]

Bangladesh

Valentine’s Day was first celebrated in Bangladesh by Shafik Rehman, a journalist and editor of Jaijaidin in 1993. He was acquainted with Western culture by studying in London.^[107] He highlighted Valentine’s Day to the Bangladeshi people through Jaijaidin newspaper. Rehman is called the «father of Valentine’s Day in Bangladesh».^[108] On this day, people in various bonds including lovers, friends, husbands and wives, mothers and children, students and teachers express their love for each other with flowers, chocolates, cards and other gifts. On this day, various parks and recreation centers of the country are full of people of love.^[109][110] No public holiday is declared on this day in Bangladesh.

Some in Bangladesh feel that celebrating this day is not acceptable from a cultural and Islamic point of view.^[111] Before the celebration of Valentine’s Day, February 14 was celebrated as the anti-authoritarian day in Bangladesh. However, that day is disregarded by people to celebrate Valentine’s Day.^{[112][113][114]}

China

In Chinese, Valentine’s Day is called lovers’ festival (simplified Chinese: 情人节; traditional Chinese: 情人節; Mandarin: Qīng Rén Jié; Hokkien: Chêng Lîn Chiat; Cantonese: Chìhng Yàhn Jit; Shanghainese Xin Yin Jiq). The «Chinese Valentine’s Day» is the Qixi Festival (meaning «The Night of Sevens» (Chinese: 七夕; pinyin: Qi Xi)), celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. According to the legend, the Cowherd star and the Weaver Maid star are normally separated by the Milky Way (silvery river) but are allowed to meet by crossing it on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar.^[115]

In recent years, celebrating White Day has also become fashionable among some young people.^[116]

India

In ancient India, there was a tradition of adoring Kamadeva, the lord of love — exemplified by the erotic carvings in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments and by the writing of the Kamasutra.^[117] This tradition was lost around the Middle Ages, when Kamadeva was no longer celebrated, and public displays of sexual affection became frowned upon.^[117] This repression of public affections began to loosen in the 1990s.^[118]

Valentine’s Day celebrations did not catch on in India until around 1992. It was spread due to the programs in commercial TV channels, such as MTV, dedicated radio programs, and love letter competitions, in addition to an economical liberalization that allowed the explosion of the valentine card industry.^[117][119] The celebration has caused a sharp change on how people have been displaying their affection in public since the Middle Ages.^[117]

On a 2018 online survey, it was found that 68% of the respondents do not wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day.^[120] It can be also observed that different religious groups, including Hindu,^[121] Muslim^[122] and Christian people of India do not support Valentine’s Day.

In modern times, Hindu and Islamic^[123] traditionalists have considered the holiday to be cultural contamination from the West, a result of globalization in India.^[117][119] Shiv Sena and the Sangh Parivar have asked their followers to shun the holiday and the «public admission of love» because of them being «alien to Indian culture».^[124] Although these protests are organized by political elites, the protesters themselves are middle-class Hindu men who fear that the globalization will destroy the traditions in their society: arranged marriages, Hindu joint families, full-time mothers, etc.^[119][123] Despite these obstacles, Valentine’s Day is becoming increasingly popular in India.^[125]

Valentine’s Day has been strongly criticized from a postcolonial perspective by intellectuals from the Indian left. The holiday is regarded as a front for «Western imperialism», «neocolonialism», and «the exploitation of working classes through commercialism by multinational corporations».^[126] It is claimed that as a result of Valentine’s Day, the working classes and rural poor become more disconnected socially, politically, and geographically from the hegemonic capitalist power structure. They also criticize mainstream media attacks on Indians opposed to Valentine’s Day as a form of demonization that is designed and derived to further the Valentine’s Day agenda.^[127][128]
Right wing Hindu nationalists are also hostile. In February 2012, Subash Chouhan of the Bajrang Dal warned couples that «They cannot kiss or hug in public places. Our activists will beat them up».^[129]
He said «We are not against love, but we criticize vulgar exhibition of love at public places».^[130]

Iran

The history of Valentine’s Day in Iran dates back to the Qajar era of the latter half of the 19th century—Naser al-Din Shah Qajar did not take his wife with him during his trip to Europe and he sent her a greeting card from distance on Valentine’s Day. This greeting card is available in Iranian museums.^[131]

Since the mid-2000s, Valentine’s Day has become increasingly popular in Iran, especially among young people. However, it has also been the subject of heavy criticism from Iranian conservatives, who see it as part of the spread of «decadent» Western culture.^[132] Since 2011, authorities have attempted to discourage celebrations and impose restrictions on the sale and production of Valentine’s Day-related goods, although the holiday remains popular as of 2018.^[133] Additionally, there have been efforts to revive the ancient Persian festival of Sepandārmazgān, which takes place around the same time, to replace Valentine’s Day, although, as of 2016, this has also been largely unsuccessful.^[134]

Israel

In Israel, the Jewish tradition of Tu B’Av has been revived and transformed into the Jewish equivalent of Valentine’s Day. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Av (usually in late August). In ancient times girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyards, where the boys would be waiting for them (Mishna Taanith end of Chapter 4). Today, Tu B’Av is celebrated as a second holiday of love by secular people (along with Valentine’s Day), and it shares many of the customs associated with Saint Valentine’s Day in western societies. In modern Israeli culture Tu B’Av is a popular day to proclaim love, propose marriage, and give gifts like cards or flowers.^[135]

Japan

In Japan, Morozoff Ltd. introduced the holiday for the first time in 1936, when it ran an advertisement aimed at foreigners. Later, in 1953, it began promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates; other Japanese confectionery companies followed suit thereafter. In 1958, the Isetan department store ran a «Valentine sale». Further campaigns during the 1960s popularized the custom.^[136][137]

The custom that only women give chocolates to men may have originated from the translation error of a chocolate-company executive during the initial campaigns.^[138] In particular, office ladies give chocolate to their co-workers. Unlike western countries, gifts such as greeting cards,^[138] candies, flowers, or dinner dates^[139] are uncommon, and most of the gifts-related activity is about giving the right amount of chocolate to each person.^[138] Japanese chocolate companies make half their annual sales during this time of the year.^[138]

Many women feel obliged to give chocolates to all male co-workers, except when the day falls on a Sunday, a holiday. This is known as giri-choko (義理チョコ), from ‘giri’ («obligation») and ‘choko’, («chocolate»), with unpopular co-workers receiving only «ultra-obligatory» (超義理チョコ ‘chō-giri choko’) cheap chocolate. This contrasts with honmei-choko (本命チョコ, lit. «true feeling chocolate»), chocolate given to a loved one. Friends, especially girls, may exchange chocolate referred to as tomo-choko (友チョコ, from ‘tomo’ meaning «friend»).^[140]

In the 1980s, the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association launched a successful campaign to make March 14 a «reply day», where men are expected to return the favour to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine’s Day, calling it White Day for the color of the chocolates being offered. A previous failed attempt to popularize this celebration had been done by a marshmallow manufacturer who wanted men to return marshmallows to women.^[136][137]

In Japan, the romantic «date night» associated with Valentine’s Day is celebrated on Christmas Eve.^[141]

Lebanon

Saint Valentine is the patron saint for a large part of the Lebanese population. Couples take the opportunity of Valentine’s feast day to exchange sweet words and gifts as proof of love. Such gifts typically include boxes of chocolates, cupcakes, and red roses, which are considered the emblem of sacrifice and passion.^{[citation needed]}

Lebanese people celebrate Valentine’s Day in a different way in every city. In Beirut, men take women out to dine and may buy them a gift. Many women are asked to marry on that day. In Sidon, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with the whole family – it is more about family love than a couple’s love.^{[citation needed]}

Malaysia

Islamic officials in West Malaysia warned Muslims against celebrating Valentine’s Day, linking it with vice activities. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the celebration of romantic love was «not suitable» for Muslims. Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, head of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which oversees the country’s Islamic policies said that a fatwa (ruling) issued by the country’s top clerics in 2005 noted that the day ‘is associated with elements of Christianity,’ and ‘we just cannot get involved with other religions’ worshipping rituals.’ Jakim officials planned to carry out a nationwide campaign called «Awas Jerat Valentine’s Day» («Mind the Valentine’s Day Trap»), aimed at preventing Muslims from celebrating the day on February 14, 2011. Activities include conducting raids in hotels to stop young couples from having unlawful sex and distributing leaflets to Muslim university students warning them against the day.^[142][143]

On Valentine’s Day 2011, West Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples concerning the celebration ban. Some of them would be charged in the Shariah Court for defying the department’s ban against the celebration of Valentine’s Day.^[144]

In East Malaysia, the celebration are much more tolerated among young Muslim couples although some Islamic officials and Muslim activists from the West side have told younger generations to refrain from such celebration by organising da’wah and tried to spread their ban into the East.^[145][146] In both the states of Sabah and Sarawak, the celebration is usually common with flowers.^{[147][148][149]}

Pakistan

The concept of Valentine’s Day was introduced into Pakistan during the late 1990s with special TV and radio programs. The Jamaat-e-Islami political party has called for the banning of Valentine’s Day celebration.^[125] Despite this, the celebration is becoming popular among urban youth and the florists expect to sell a great number of flowers, especially red roses. The case is the same with card publishers.^[150]

In 2016, the local governing body of Peshwar officially banned the celebration of Valentine’s Day in the city. The ban was also implemented in other cities such as Kohat by the local governments.^[151]

In 2017, the Islamabad High Court banned Valentine’s Day celebrations in public places in Pakistan.^[152] More than 80% of Dawn readers polled on its website agreed with this decision.^[111]

In 2018, because of a petition by a citizen, Abdul Waheed, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority advised broadcasters and newspapers against airing any Valentine’s Day celebrations.^[153][154]

Philippines

In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is called Araw ng mga Puso in much the same manner as in the West. It is usually marked by a steep increase in the price of flowers, particularly red roses.^[155] It is the most popular day for weddings,^[156] with some localities offering mass ceremonies for no charge.^[157]

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, in 2002 and 2008, religious police banned the sale of all Valentine’s Day items, telling shop workers to remove any red items, because the day is considered a Christian holiday.^[158][159] This ban has created a black market for roses and wrapping paper.^[159][160] In 2012, the religious police arrested more than 140 Muslims for celebrating the holiday, and confiscated all red roses from flower shops.^[161] Muslims are not allowed to celebrate the holiday, and non-Muslims can celebrate only behind closed doors.^[162]

«Saudi cleric Sheikh Muhammad Al-‘Arifi said on Valentine’s Day Eve that celebrating this holiday constitutes bid’a – a forbidden innovation and deviation from religious law and custom – and mimicry of the West.»^[163][164]

However, in 2017 and 2018, after a fatwa was widely circulated, the religious police did not prevent Muslims from celebrating the day.^[165] In 2018, Sheikh Ahmed Qasim Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi cleric and former president of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said that Valentine’s Day is not haram and is compatible with Islamic values.^[166][167]

Singapore

According to findings, Singaporeans are among the biggest spenders on Valentine’s Day, with 60% of Singaporeans indicating that they would spend between $100 and $500 during the season leading up to the holiday.^[90]

South Korea

In South Korea, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14 (White Day). On April 14 (Black Day), those who did not receive anything on February or March 14 go to a Chinese-Korean restaurant to eat black noodles (짜장면 jajangmyeon) and lament their ‘single life’.^[139] Koreans also celebrate Pepero Day on November 11, when young couples give each other Pepero cookies. The date ’11/11′ is intended to resemble the long shape of the cookie. The 14th of every month marks a love-related day in Korea, although most of them are obscure. From January to December: Candle Day, Valentine’s Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day.^[168] Korean women give a much higher amount of chocolate than Japanese women.^[139]

Taiwan

In Taiwan, traditional Qixi Festival, Valentine’s Day and White Day are all celebrated. However, the situation is the reverse of Japan’s. Men give gifts to women on Valentine’s Day, and women return them on White Day.^[139]

Europe

Estonia and Finland

In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called ystävänpäivä, which means «Friend’s Day». As the name indicates, this day is more about remembering friends, not significant others. In Estonia, Valentine’s Day was originally called valentinipäev and later also sõbrapäev (‘Friend’s Day’) as a calque of the Finnish term.^[169]

France

In France, a traditionally Catholic country, Valentine’s Day is known simply as «Saint Valentin», and is celebrated in much the same way as other western countries.^[170] The relics of Saint Valentin de Terni, the patron of the St Valentine’s Day, are in the Catholic church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Saint-Jean-l’Evangéliste located in the southern France town of Roquemaure, Gard. The celebrations of «Fête des Amoureux» takes place every two years on the Sunday closest to February 14. The village gets dressed in its 19th-century costume and put on the program with over 800 people.

Greece

St. Valentine’s Day, or Ημέρα του Αγίου Βαλεντίνου in Greek tradition was not associated with romantic love. In the Eastern Orthodox church there is another Saint who protects people who are in love, Hyacinth of Caesarea (feast day July 3), but this was not widely known until the late 1990s^[171] In contemporary Greece, Valentine’s Day is generally celebrated as in the common Western tradition.^[172]

Ireland

On Saint Valentine’s Day in Ireland, many individuals who seek true love make a Christian pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Valentine in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, which is said to house relics of Saint Valentine of Rome; they pray at the shrine in hope of finding romance.^[173] There lies a book in which foreigners and locals have written their prayer requests for love.^[174]

Poland

Saint Valentine’s Day was introduced to Poland together with the cult of Saint Valentine via Bavaria and Tyrol.^[175] However, it rose in popularity in the 1990s.^[175] The only (and the biggest) public celebration in Poland is held annually from 2002 in Chełmno^[175] under the name „Walentynki Chełmińskie” (Chełmno Valentine’s). Because Chełmno’s parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been holding the relic of St. Valentine since the Middle Ages, local cult of the saint has been combined with the Anglo-Saxon tradition.^[175]

Portugal

In Portugal, the holiday is known as «Dia dos Namorados» (Lover’s Day / Day of the Enamoured). As elsewhere, couples exchange gifts, but in some regions, women give a lenço de namorados («lovers’ handkerchief»), which is usually embroidered with love motifs.^[176]

Romania

In recent years, Romania has also started celebrating Valentine’s Day. This has drawn backlash from several groups, institutions,^[177] and nationalist organizations like Noua Dreaptǎ, who condemn Valentine’s Day for being superficial, commercialist, and imported Western kitsch. In order to counter the perceived denaturation of national culture, Dragobete, a spring festival celebrated in parts of Southern Romania, has been rekindled after having been ignored during the Communist years as the traditional Romanian holiday for lovers. The holiday is named after a character from Romanian folklore who was supposed to be the son of Baba Dochia.^[178] Its date used to vary depending on the geographical area, however nowadays it is commonly observed on February 24.^[179]

Scandinavia

In Denmark and Norway, February 14 is known as Valentinsdag, and is celebrated in much the same manner as in the United Kingdom.^[180] In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag («All Hearts’ Day») but is not widely celebrated. A 2016 survey revealed that less than 50% of men and women were planning to buy presents for their partners.^[181] The holiday has only been observed since the 1960s.^[180]

Spain

The holiday was first introduced in Spain through a 1948 advertisement campaign by the department store chain Galerías Preciados,^[182] and had become widespread by the 1970s.^[182]

Known as «San Valentín», the holiday is celebrated the same way as in the rest of the West.

United Kingdom

In the UK, just under half of the population spends money on their Valentines and around £1.3 billion is spent yearly on cards, flowers, chocolates, and other gifts, with an estimated 25 million cards being sent.^[183]

In Wales, some people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St. Dwynwen’s Day) on January 25 instead of (or as well as) Valentine’s Day. The day commemorates St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of love.^[184] The Welsh name for Saint Valentine is Sant Ffolant.

In a 2016 poll conducted by Channel 4 for Valentine’s Day, Jane Austen’s line, “My heart is, and always will be, yours”, from her novel Sense and Sensibility as said by Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) to Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson) in the acclaimed 1995 film adaptation, was voted the most romantic line from literature, film, and TV by thousands of women.^[185]

Restrictions on Valentine’s day in some countries

The celebration of Valentine’s Day has been banned in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia due to beliefs the holiday conflicts with Islamic culture.^[111]

Since 2009, certain practices pertaining to Valentine’s Day (such as giving flowers, cards, or other gifts suggestive of Valentine’s Day) are banned in Iran.^[186] Iran’s Law Enforcement Force prosecutes distributors of goods with symbols associated with Valentine’s Day.^[187] In 2021, the Prosecutor’s Office of Qom, Iran, stated that it will prosecute those who disseminate and provide anti-cultural symbols like those of Valentine’s Day.^[188] Although Valentine’s Day is not accepted or approved by any institution in Iran and has no official status, it’s highly accepted among a large part of the population.^[189] One of the reasons for Valentine’s Day acceptance since the 2000s by the general population is the change in relations between the sexes, and because sexual relationship are no longer strictly limited to be within marriage.^[190]

See also

• World Kiss Day
• Dia dos Namorados
• Sailor’s valentine
• Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre
• Singles Awareness Day
• Steak and Blowjob Day
• Valentine’s Day (2010 film)
• V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls.
• Women’s Memorial March, held on Valentine’s Day in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Cake and Cunnilingus Day

Notes

References

Bibliography

Further reading

• Anthony M. Sammarco (January 24, 2022). Valentine’s Day Traditions in Boston. America Through Time. ISBN 978-1635001075.

External links