Valentines day is the history of the holiday. Valentine's Day. Short story. Traditions What does Valentine's Day mean?

Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day, the most romantic holiday, is celebrated in most countries of the world on February 14 - on this day, for more than one and a half thousand years, people have declared their love to each other.

It is curious that the celebration of the memory of St. Valentine was originally established as a veneration of his martyrdom, without any connection with the patronage of lovers.

Gradually Valentine's Day from Catholic holiday turned into secular. Many people celebrate this holiday with pleasure, although it is not listed on the calendar among the official holidays.

Story

Valentine's Day has existed for more than the 15th century, but according to pagan traditions, the holidays of “Love” were popular back in ancient times.

So, in Ancient Rome On February 15, every year they celebrated the festival of abundance - Lupercalia - in honor of the god Faun (Luperk is one of his nicknames), the patron saint of flocks. And the day before Lupercalia, the holiday of the Roman goddess of marriage, motherhood and women Juno and the god Pan was celebrated.

On this day, girls wrote love letters, which they placed in a huge urn, and then the men pulled out the letters. Then every man began to court that girl, love letter which he pulled out. In ancient Greece, this holiday was called Panurgia - ritual games in honor of the god Pan (in Roman mythology - Faun) - the patron saint of herds, forests, fields and their fertility. According to mythology, Pan is a merry fellow and a rake, plays the flute beautifully and forever pursues the nymphs with his love.

There is information that this day was also called the “Bird Wedding”, since it was believed that birds formed mating pairs in the second week of the second month of the year.

Saint Valentine

There are many legends associated with the name of St. Valentine. The most beautiful and romantic of them is the story of a Christian preacher who, in 269, married legionnaires of the Roman Empire with their lovers, despite the ban of Emperor Claudius II.

To preserve the military spirit, the emperor issued a decree prohibiting legionnaires from marrying, since it was believed that a married person was thinking about how to feed his family, and not about the good of the empire and military prowess.

Saint Valentine sympathized with the lovers and tried in every possible way to help them - he reconciled quarreling lovers, composed letters for them with declarations of love, gave flowers to young spouses and secretly married soldiers. Claudius II, having learned about this, ordered the priest to be thrown into prison, and soon signed a decree on his execution. The last days of St. Valentine’s life are also shrouded in an aura of romance.

According to legend, the blind daughter of a jailer fell in love with him, but Valentine, as a priest who had taken a vow of celibacy, could not respond to her feelings. However, on the night before his execution on February 13, he wrote her a touching letter, where he told her about his love. And the girl, having read the message after the execution of the priest, received her sight.

It is assumed that this is where the tradition of writing love notes - “Valentines” - on Valentine's Day originates.

According to the Catholic Church, Saint Valentine actually healed a blind girl - the daughter of the dignitary Asterius, who believed in Christ and was baptized. Claudius then ordered the execution of Valentine. That is, Valentine suffered for his faith, and therefore was canonized. There is an assumption that the Church introduced Valentine's Day as a counterweight to the popular pagan holiday of Love, which could not be eradicated with the advent of Christianity.

Around this time, a legend appeared to explain why St. Valentine patronizes lovers.

One way or another, two hundred years later Valentine was proclaimed a Saint, the patron saint of all lovers.

However, in 1969, as a result of the reform of worship, St. Valentine was removed from the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. The basis for this was the fact that there is no information about this martyr, except for the name and information about beheading by the sword.

Valentine's card

The very first Valentine's card in the world is considered to be a note sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife from the Tower of London, where he was imprisoned in 1415.

Valentine cards were very popular in the 18th century, especially in England. They were exchanged as gifts. The lovers made cards from multi-colored paper and signed them with colorful ink. By the beginning of the 20th century, as printing technology improved, handwritten cards were replaced by printed ones. Today, on Valentine's Day, it is customary to give each other valentines in the form of hearts, with declarations of love, marriage proposals, or just jokes. People also like to hold weddings and get married on this day.

Traditions

In Europe, this holiday has been widely celebrated since the 13th century. In England, they used to carve wooden “love spoons” and give them to their loved ones. They were decorated with hearts, keys and keyholes, which symbolized that the path to the heart was open.

Louis XVI is considered to be the founder of the tradition of giving red roses to lovers, who presented such a bouquet to Marie Antoinette. According to legend, Aphrodite stepped on a bush of white roses and stained the roses with her blood, which is how red roses appeared.

According to ancient custom, in England and Scotland on the eve of the holiday dedicated to St. Valentine, young people put tickets with the names of young girls written on them in an urn. Then everyone took out one ticket.

The girl whose name was given young man, became his “Valentine” for the coming year, and he became her “Valentine”. This meant that a relationship arose between the young people for a year, similar topics, which, according to descriptions of medieval novels, arose between a knight and his “lady of the heart.”

According to legend, in Britain, on February 14, unmarried girls get up before sunrise, stand near the window and look at passing men - the first man they see is their betrothed. Italians call February 14 a sweet day and give sweets and candies. Valentine cards are sent by mail in a pink envelope without a return address. In romantic Denmark, they usually send dried white flowers to each other, and in Spain, sending a love message with a carrier pigeon is considered the height of passion.

In France, it is customary to give jewelry on Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day, the French also hold various romantic competitions. For example, the competition for the longest serenade - a love song - is very popular. And it was in France that the epistle-quatrain was first written.

In Japan, on Valentine's Day, which began to be celebrated in the 30s of the 20th century, it is customary to give men chocolate - usually in the form of a St. Valentine figurine. This is not so much a declaration of love as a sign of attention. The tradition of giving sweets on this day began with the suggestion of one large company for the production of chocolate. In addition, the Japanese hold a competition for the loudest and brightest love message. Boys and girls climb onto the platform and shout from there about their love.

Valentine's Day has been celebrated in the United States since 1777. The tradition of giving gifts on this day grew stronger every year and for some it became a fairly successful business. At the beginning of the 19th century, Americans began the custom of giving marzipan figurines to their loved ones on this day. And marzipan in those days was considered a great luxury.

In the post-Soviet space, people first paid attention to Valentine's Day about two decades ago. And only in recent years have they been celebrated en masse with valentines, congratulations and declarations of love.

Valentine's Day is also celebrated in Georgia, despite the fact that the country has its own Love Day, which is celebrated on April 15.

It is curious that Georgian Love Day was once introduced as an alternative to Valentine's Day, the tradition of celebrating which came to the newly independent states from Western countries. Romantic Georgians, like many other countries where they have their own alternative Day of Love, today celebrate both holidays, according to the principle, the more the better. But there are countries in the world where the Holiday of Love is taboo. First of all, this is Saudi Arabia, which is the only country in the world where this holiday is officially banned, and under pain of heavy fines.

Date in 2019: .

If there were no Valentine's Day, it would have been worth inventing. Millions loving people On February 14, people from different countries bring pieces of their hearts to their loved ones in the form of congratulations and gifts. How is Valentine's Day celebrated in Russia and other countries of the world?

Eternal history love takes its origins from pagan times. Over its centuries-old history, it has acquired many wonderful legends and beautiful fables.

And as long as loving hearts continue to beat, Valentine’s Day will continue to exist and gain new fans.

The prototype of Valentine's Day was an erotic festival held in Ancient Rome. Lupercalia was the name of an unusual holiday, the purpose of which was to increase the birth rate. As usual, during any celebration, the Romans glorified the gods. And at the erotic festival the honor fell to Juno. The goddess patronized all women, and, of course, family life and motherhood.

During the holiday, girls who were not yet lucky enough to find a mate wrote their name on parchment. All the notes were collected in one huge basket. It was the guys' turn to tease fate. They blindly selected a note. Only a lucky chance could unite loving hearts, everyone else had to live for the next year with the chosen one whom fate gave him. This festival took place on February 14th.

And literally the next day the second stage of unusual fun took place. Young people of unearthly beauty had the honor of running through the streets of the city in the nude. In their hands were belts, with which the young men tried to whip the ladies and young ladies who got in their way. And if anyone thinks that the Romans resisted, they are greatly mistaken. The girls gladly exposed their soft spots, not forgetting to take off their clothes.

Similar holidays took place not only in Rome, but among almost all people who worshiped various gods. The meaning of such holidays was not so much the canonization of high relationships, but rather the continuation of the family line and the veneration of one’s deities.

Valentine's Day: history of the holiday

When Christianity came to Rome, the priests began to replace pagan holidays. Getting ordinary people to celebrate new and unfamiliar holidays is not easy, but changing the name or meaning of a centuries-old native holiday is quite simple. It was this idea that the church took advantage of.

Pagan celebrations and festivals were replaced by a new Valentine's Day. The Catholic Church proclaimed Valentine's Day. And Valentine himself is canonized as the patron saint of all lovers. This happened in 496.

Why did such an honor go to this particular saint? What actions made him famous during his lifetime? There are different legends about Valentine, but they are all related to love stories.

One of the legends tells about Valentine’s extraordinary healing abilities, for which he was imprisoned. However, grateful people gave the healer notes with requests and thanks, even to prison. The security guard who came across such a note did not make a fuss, but brought his blind daughter to Valentin. He was able to restore the girl’s sight, and the flame of love flared up between the young people. But the outcome of the story is sad. The guy was executed, and before his death he sent it to his beloved with words of love, which he signed: “Your Valentine”

Another sad legend tells about Valentine as a fearless priest of ancient Roman times. Julius Claudius II, who ruled at that time, issued an order prohibiting legionnaires from starting families, so that the army would become stronger and more numerous. But he could not stop the soldiers from falling in love.

Under pain of execution, all the clergy refused to unite loving hearts. Only Valentin, who continued to conduct wedding ceremonies for the soldiers, decided on such a feat. For this he was sentenced to death. Already in the cell he saw a beautiful girl and fell in love with her. It was the daughter of a security guard, who also liked the guy. But they were never lucky enough to open up to each other. She read the note that Valentin gave to his beloved only on the night of February 14, but in the morning the guy was executed without allowing him to speak with his beloved.

History of Valentines

The tradition of giving notes to loved ones appeared in the 15th century. Before this, lovers exchanged signs of their feelings in other ways. They were more likely to sing, play musical instruments, dance, and express feelings in words or poetry.

The most famous Valentine's card is considered to be a note from the Duke of Orleans to his wife. He wrote to her from the dungeons of prison, and the note itself in the shape of a heart is still kept in the museum.

Since the 18th century, postcards and notes in the shape of hearts have become especially popular. They are given as signs special attention. Young ladies and young men decorate cards with lace and write love messages on them. Antique hearts look simply gorgeous, they cannot be compared even with modern ones printed in a printing house. But if you wish, you can still make magnificent crafts with your own hands in the form of hearts, valentines or postcards.

How is Valentine's Day celebrated?

The holiday of St. Valentine has long lost its religious background, and ancient customs are completely forgotten. Over its 16-century history, it has acquired many new shades, and every nation has embellished Valentine's Day with its own customs and rituals. And let some skeptics treat the supposedly alien Catholic holiday with contempt. On February 14, lovers from many countries continue to enjoy this unusual, sweet holiday and send signals of their love. After all, for true love there are no state borders or religious prohibitions.

And yet, each country has its own traditions and rituals associated with the celebration of Valentine's Day in February.

France. The French love spectacular actions. They came up with the idea of ​​giving jewelry for Valentine's Day. And also messages in verse. Love quatrains in French are akin to music. It is impossible to remain indifferent after declaring your love in the language of love.

The holiday came to America only in 1777 and immediately became a favorite. Practical Americans came up with the idea of ​​giving heart-shaped candies and sweets on Valentine's Day.

Italy. Italians are no strangers to passionate feelings that quickly flare up into real flames. Lovers congratulate each other on February with cakes, sweets and pastries.

Finland. It’s an honor for hot Finnish guys to congratulate the young ladies on Valentine’s Day. After all, in the country the holiday is practically equivalent to March 8th.

Japan. Men are luckier in this country. Here it is customary to congratulate representatives of the stronger sex with appropriate gifts. Women will receive return gifts exactly a month later on March 14 on White Chocolate Day.

Poland. It is in Poland that the relics of St. Valentine are located. The holy miraculous image is also located here. It is to him that pilgrims go with requests and for blessings. And, the most interesting thing is that the saint does not leave a single request unattended - he works miracles even centuries after his execution.

Russia. Valentine's Day came to us in the 90s, like many other Western celebrations. There is an opinion that a Catholic holiday cannot become native to Orthodox Christians. But is it possible to force lovers not to exchange with gentle words, gifts and valentines. Valentine's Day in Russia quickly found millions of fans. And every year, with joy and tenderness in our hearts, we try to congratulate not only our loved ones, but also all the people dear to our hearts.

Congratulations in prose and poetry

Happy Valentine's Day, I congratulate you today. And I wish from the bottom of my heart to fall in love forever. Love that is faithful, devoted and without looking back. So that the feelings are mutual with understanding, patience and devotion. I wish you earthly love, but a little sublime, simple, but endless, dear, but incredibly sweet.

I remember the warmth of your hands,

And I look into the depths of your eyes.

And let my tender words sound.

On Valentine's Day there will be no refusal.

Happy Valentine's Day

I congratulate you today.

And strong, deep feelings

I wish you from the bottom of my heart.

And let there be hundreds of sincere confessions.

Secret expectations will not be deceived.

Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day, February 14 - History, traditions and legends.

An interesting story about Valentine's Day for children and adults.

On February 14, Valentine's Day is celebrated - the patron saint of all lovers. This is the most romantic holiday in a world where everyone declares their love for each other, gives touching gifts and valentines to their loved ones. For more than eighteen centuries there has been a tradition of celebrating this holiday. Despite the fact that the name of the holiday contains the word “holy,” it has nothing to do with religion, since it is a secular holiday. However, we associate February 14th with St. Valentine.

The history of the holiday Valentine's Day. The story of Valentine's Day. Who is Valentin?

There are a lot of legends and rumors about Valentine's Day. So who is Saint Valentine who presented this holiday as a gift to the whole world?

There is an opinion that in fact there were two Saint Valentines, who were venerated on the same day and died in Ancient Rome in the year 269 (270?). But now no one reliably remembers which of them the holiday was dedicated to. What is known is that one of the saints, a younger one, served in Rome as a preacher and worked as a doctor. During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Claudius, he was executed. Another Valentine, Bishop of Terni, lived near Rome and died a martyr’s death at the hands of the pagans in the same year 269 (270?).

Much in the legends about St. Valentine converges and intertwines, but each of them has some kind of peculiarity that makes it different from the others.

Most versions converge on the first Valentine, who was a preacher and physician and lived in the 3rd century in the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Claudius. A difficult and cruel fate befell him. The fact is that the warrior emperor issued a decree according to which his soldiers could not marry, so that the joys of family life would not distract them from service. Valentin ignored Claudius's ban and married the lovers in secret. For these illegal acts he was captured and imprisoned.

The priest's jailer, having learned that the prisoner, among other things, had the gift of healing, brought his blind daughter to him. Valentin healed the girl, the young people fell in love with each other, but their happiness was not destined to work out - Valentin was executed.

However, the day of his death - February 14 - remained forever in people's memory as a symbol of the all-conquering power of love. It is also symbolic that the date of the execution of Saint Valens coincided with the Roman festivals in honor of the goddess of love Juno. Subsequently, Valentine was buried in Rome (according to other sources, some of his relics are located in his homeland in the city of Terni, and some are in the Church of St. Anthony in Madrid). It is not surprising that they did not forget about Valentine and chose him as the patron saint of all people in love. As a Christian martyr who suffered for the faith, he was canonized by the Catholic Church. In 496, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th Valentine's Day.

Since then, every year on February 14, people remembered Valentine and organized a Valentine's Day. On this day, girls and boys got together, wrote names on pieces of paper and threw these pieces of paper into a jug, then each pulled out one piece of paper and found out the name of their lover.

How everything really happened, we don’t know and will never know, but one thing is obvious - St. Valentine died in the name of love.

There is another version of the origin of the holiday. According to it, Valentine's Day originated from the Roman holiday of Lupercalia, celebrated in honor of the god Faun (Lupercus), the patron saint of flocks. The celebration took place annually on February 15th. In ancient times, on this day all the Romans stopped what they were doing and started having fun. Over time, the holiday changed, new rituals appeared.

The main task that everyone had to accomplish on this day was to find their soul mate. So after the end of the holiday it was created a large number of new families.

Traditions of celebrating Valentine's Day in different countries

Over time, Valentine's Day acquired its own rituals, some of which have survived to this day. In each country, the traditions were different, although what was common and unchanged for all peoples and times was that it is very popular to arrange weddings and get married on this day.

Some beliefs also say that on this holiday, a woman can approach a man dear to her and politely ask him to marry her. If the young man is not yet ready to take such a decisive step, then he should politely thank for the honor and give the woman a silk dress, and buy himself a silk cord with a heart strung on it.

In other countries, the tradition of donating clothes is somewhat modified. Thus, lovers give clothes to unmarried women as gifts. If a girl accepts and leaves a gift, it means she agrees to marry this person.

IN different times V different countries There were various beliefs. For example, the first man a girl meets on this day should be her Valentine, regardless of his wishes.

Some people believed that if a girl saw a robin on Valentine's Day, then her husband would be a sailor; if she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man, but be happy with him; and if she saw a goldfinch, she would become the wife of a millionaire.

Valentine's Day in England

In medieval England, this custom was popular: several guys got together, wrote the names of girls on pieces of paper, put them in a hat and drew lots. The girl whose name fell to the young man became his “Valentina” for a year, and he became her “Valentine”.

“Valentine” had to treat his “Valentine” in a special way: compose sonnets in her honor, play the lute, and was also obliged to accompany the girl everywhere; in a word, behave like a real knight.

There was a tradition of dressing children up as adults. Having been reincarnated in this way, the children went from house to house and sang songs about St. Valentine.

Nowadays, the British understand love somewhat differently; this concept has expanded, since Valentine's Day is congratulated not only on people, but also on beloved animals, for example, horses or dogs.

In Wales, on February 14, in the old days, wooden “love spoons” were carved, which they then gave to their loved ones. The spoons were decorated with various hearts, keys and keyholes, which said: “you have found the way to my heart.”

Valentine's Day in America

The Americans also had their own traditions. At the beginning of the 19th century, on Valentine's Day, they sent marzipan products to their brides. However, the treat included sugar, which was very expensive in those days. This custom became truly widespread after sugar beets began to be processed in 1800. The Americans urgently set up caramel production on the continent and began scratching words corresponding to the holiday onto the sweets. Caramels were made in red and white, since red symbolized passion, and white symbolized the purity of love. In the 50s of the 19th century, sweets began to be placed in heart-shaped cardboard boxes.

Valentine's Day in Japan

In Japan, Valentine's Day began to be celebrated in the 1930s. This tradition did not start on its own, but at the instigation of one large company engaged in the production of chocolate. Chocolate, by the way, is still the most common gift on this day.

Nowadays, the Japanese have turned this holiday into “March 8 for men.” On this day, gifts in Japan are received mainly by representatives of the stronger sex. And, accordingly, it is customary to give various men’s accessories; razors, lotions, brushes, etc.

And on this day, the residents of Japan hold an event called “The Loudest Love Confession” - boys and girls climb onto the platform and take turns shouting love confessions with all their might.

How Valentine's Day is celebrated in other countries

The French customary to give gifts on Valentine's Day Jewelry. And the romantic French were the first to introduce “Valentines” as love letters and quatrains.

Balanced and calm Poles prefer to visit on this day

Poznan metropolis, where, according to legend, the relics of St. Valentine rest, and above the main altar is his miraculous icon. The Poles believe that if you pray to the image, it will definitely help you in your love affairs.

In Italy, Valentine's Day is celebrated very differently. Men of this country consider it their duty to present their beloved with gifts, mainly sweets, on this holiday. This is most likely why in Italy this day is called “sweet”.

Conservative Germans adhere to the point of view that Valentine is the patron saint of the mentally ill, so on this day they decorate psychiatric hospitals with scarlet ribbons and hold special services in chapels.

According to unofficial data, it is known that February 14 - Valentine's Day has been celebrated for 16 centuries. This is the brightest, brightest and most sensual holiday praising love and human relationships.

Do you know how many countries and from what century they began to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and what history is associated with it? Find out interesting and unknown facts about the purest holiday of love!

13 Facts About Valentine's Day

1. According to one version, the holiday got its name in the 3rd century, in honor of a man who worked as a priest. Valentin was a very good-natured person: he considered it his duty to unite loving hearts. During the war, Valentin visited soldiers with sermons and prayers, as well as the female half of the population who remained in the rear. He secretly helped lovers pass on love notes, thereby giving love to bored hearts. For this help, the priest was executed, and only 2 hundred years later he was canonized.
2. The first Valentine is considered to be letters from Charles, Duke of Orleans. In 1515 (some sources indicate the year 1415) he was in prison and, out of boredom, began writing touching letters to his wife, which were made in the shape of a heart. Thanks to these letters, the fashion for valentines began - they began to be printed and given as gifts for the holiday.
3. In each country, the holiday is celebrated in its own way, and a special distinctive touch is the gifts that lovers give each other. For example, in France it is customary to give expensive jewelry, but in Japan this holiday applies more to men, since they are the ones who receive the most gifts, in particular chocolate or caramel.
4. The rituals are also very diverse. For example, in Scotland and England, on the eve of Valentine's Day, boys and girls wrote their names on small pieces of paper, after which they threw them into a vessel that was located on the street. The next day, at the height of the holiday, everyone took out a piece of paper on which the person’s name was written. This is how courtship began, relationships began and love arose.
5. In Holland, on this day, a woman herself can propose to her beloved man, without condemnation from her family. If he refuses, then the woman should be given a kiss and one Evening Dress. Girls actively use this tradition to replenish their wardrobe.
6. Valentine's Day also has a second, popular name - “bird wedding”. The holiday got its name from the second week of February, when birds supposedly form pairs.
   
7. The celebration of Valentine's Day began a little later in the USA - around the 18th century. Russia became a record holder, because the holiday came to our country only at the end of the 20th century. Saudi Arabia does not recognize Valentine's Day at all, and distributing Valentine's cards on this day can result in a heavy fine.
8. There are valentines different types, sizes and colors. So, once the Chinese authorities painted two big hearts, thus congratulating all citizens and tourists of the city, of whom there are over 14 million people. Another case of making an incredible valentine occurred 60 years ago, when the most dear card in the world. Its lucky owner was the famous Maria Callas, and the valentine itself was made from precious metals and cost 300 thousand dollars.
9. Another interesting fact: in 1797, a special manual was issued for young people, which taught them how to properly design valentines. This has become an ideal solution for people who are not romantic or do not have the proper imagination.
10. In Germany, this holiday is also considered Mental Health Day, and St. Valentine is the patron saint of all mentally ill people. People visit mental hospitals and donate to the sick. However, some scientists believe that love is a kind of psychological disorder. Perhaps that is why two such different events are celebrated on the same day.
11. The British have always been stingy with feelings and emotions, but it was they who came up with the idea of ​​giving gifts not only to their loved ones, but also to their pets. Every year in England, millions of dogs and cats receive sweet Valentine's cards.
    
12. Valentine's Day is a very unusual holiday in Jamaica: newlyweds who want to get married on this day must go through the ceremony completely naked, and only wedding ring should decorate their fingers. Oddly enough, there are a lot of people who want to take part in the unusual ceremony, and people line up for such a wedding several months before the celebration.
13. In the USA, this holiday also has a second name - Americans jokingly call it Condom Day. On this day, the products necessary for all lovers can be purchased in stores and on special counters completely free of charge - this is how the authorities care about the well-being of couples in love.

These are the unusual, funny and sometimes very strange traditions and facts associated with Valentine's Day.

We bring to your attention a story for children and schoolchildren about history unusual holiday: Valentine's Day is a holiday for all lovers.

Let's talk about the traditions of this holiday and how Valentine's Day is celebrated in different countries.

From celebrated on February 14

- the most romantic holiday! All over the world it is celebrated as a day of love: boys and girls, men and women exchange valentines- greeting cards in the shape of hearts. This tradition appeared a long time ago, back in the 7th century. But how exactly did she appear?

There are many legends. Valentine, according to the Catholic Church, really healed a blind girl - the daughter of the dignitary Asterius. Asterius believed in Christ and was baptized. Claudius then ordered the execution of Valentine. That is, Valentine suffered for his faith, and therefore was canonized.

Another legend is more romantic. In 269, the Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade his legionaries to marry so that their family would not distract them from military affairs. But there was the only Christian preacher in all of Rome, Valentin, who sympathized with the lovers and tried to help them. He reconciled quarreling lovers, composed letters for them with declarations of love, gave flowers to young spouses and secretly married legionnaires - contrary to the law of the emperor.

Claudius II, having learned about this, ordered the priest to be seized and thrown into prison. But even there, Valentin continued to do good deeds. He fell in love with his executioner's blind daughter and healed her. And it happened like this: before the execution, the young priest wrote a farewell note to the girl with a declaration of love, signed: “From Valentine.” Having received this news, the jailer's daughter began to see the light. Valentine was executed on February 14, 269. Since then, people have celebrated this day as a holiday for lovers.

Two hundred years later, Valentine was proclaimed a Saint, the patron saint of all lovers. The global holiday of declarations of love is now celebrated everywhere. And in memory of the letter written by Valentine to his beloved, on February 14, lovers give each other Greeting Cards- valentines. According to tradition, they are not signed, and they try to change the handwriting: it is believed that the person must guess who sent him the Valentine card. In addition to valentines, on this day men give flowers to their loved ones, most often red roses.

According to foreign folk tales, it is on this day that all birds choose a mate. There is also a belief that the first man a girl meets on February 14 should become her “Valentine,” even if she doesn’t like him too much.

Gradually, Valentine's Day turned from a Catholic holiday into a secular one. He is loved by men and women, boys and girls. This holiday is celebrated with pleasure, although it is not listed on the calendar among the official holidays.

In Russia, Valentine's Day began to be celebrated relatively recently - somewhere at the end of the last century. Moreover, on this day everyone congratulates not only their loved ones, but also their friends. Well, why not? After all, this is a great reason to wish your friends love and happiness! By the way, in Finland this day is really celebrated not only as Valentine's Day, but also as Friends' Day!

How different countries celebrate Valentine's Day

In almost all countries, it is customary to give gifts and valentines to loved ones on Valentine's Day. They also like to hold weddings and get married on this day. But it should be noted that Valentine's Day is not popular everywhere. For example, in Saudi Arabia this holiday is generally prohibited. The country even has a special commission that strictly ensures that no one celebrates Valentine's Day.

America

At the beginning of the 19th century, Americans began the custom of giving marzipan figurines to their loved ones on Valentine's Day. And marzipan in those days was considered a great luxury! And on this day it is also customary for American children to give gifts to sick and lonely people.

England

In England, they used to carve wooden “love spoons” and give them to their loved ones. They were decorated with hearts, keys and keyholes, which symbolized that the path to the heart was open.

There is a very beautiful legend about how Aphrodite stepped on a bush of white roses and stained the roses with her blood. This is how red roses appeared. It is believed that the founder of the tradition of giving red roses to lovers was Louis XVI, who presented such a bouquet to Marie Antoinette.

There is also a belief in England - the first man you see on this day is your betrothed. Therefore, unmarried girls get up early on this day and run to the window to look out for their betrothed.

France

On Valentine's Day, the French hold various romantic competitions. For example, the competition for the longest serenade - a love song - is very popular. And it was in France that the epistle-quatrain was first written. And of course, it is customary to give jewelry on this day.

Japan

This holiday has been celebrated in Japan since the 30s. last century. It is interesting that in Japan, Valentine's Day is considered an exclusively men's holiday, so gifts for this holiday are given mainly to men, as a rule, chocolate (mainly in the form of a figurine of St. Valentine), as well as all kinds of colognes, razors, etc. And if a woman gave a man such a chocolate bar, then exactly a month later, on March 14, he gives her a return gift - white chocolate. So on March 14, the Japanese again have a holiday called “White Day”.