Valentine’s Day, also known as St. Valentine’s Day, is a romantic holiday celebrated on February 14 every year. Originating in ancient Roman times in honor of St. Valentine, it is one of the traditional holidays in Christian countries. Nowadays, Valentine’s Day has become a global holiday and people around the globe celebrate this special day in different ways.
History of Valentine’s Day
Legend has it that a priest named Saint Valentine, he was sentenced to death. Because he did not follow the king’s wishes, and continued to perform church weddings for young people who were in love with each other. The day he died was a February 14th in 270 AD. Later, in honor of Valentine, who sacrificed himself for justice and pure love. The day was designated as Valentine’s Day.
What Do People Do On This Day?
It is a holiday about love, romance, and flowers, chocolates, and greeting cards. Men and women give each other gifts on this day to express love or friendship. A dinner date on Valentine’s Day usually represents the key to the development of a couple’s relationship. It has become a favorite holiday for young people in Europe and the United States. And also is now very popular in China.
Valentine’s Day Anecdotes From Around the World
Valentine’s Day is also a winemaking day in Bulgaria. And on February 14th people celebrate with a glass or two of delicious red wine.
France is known for its romance, which permeates the bones of the country. So they shine even brighter on February 14.
Valentine’s Day in Romania, a day that also celebrates the arrival of spring. Teenage boys and girls will go to the forest to pick flowers, while others will wash their faces with snow. This is said to bring health and happiness.
In South Africa, young women will pin a strip of their sweetheart’s name to the cuff of their dress on February 14 for all to see.
Every year on February 14, it is customary on Valentine’s Day in Japan for girls to give chocolates to the guys they like. In return, the men give the women small desserts, mostly white chocolates, a month later on March 14, “White Valentine’s Day”.
On Valentine’s Day in Peru, a huge carnival is held throughout the country. Most people take the day off from work, and schedule a full day of activities to spend with their loved ones.
A special Valentine’s Day ritual has become popular in Rome in recent years. On that day, couples go to the famous Ponte Milvio and hang a lock, symbolizing a heart to heart, from a street lamp post on the bridge. Afterwards, the key is thrown into the river under the bridge to signify that the two will never be separated for the rest of their lives.