Valentine's day, ah Valentine's day… Valentine's Day. Then we try to show our other half how important they are to us. Where did the custom come from? I kwhen is Valentine's Day celebrated? If you want to know, be sure to read this article, where you will not only learn when Valentine's Day is celebrated, but also the details of this holiday.
The Beginnings of Valentine's Day
Beginnings Valentine's Day we can look back to antiquity, specifically Ancient Rome. Back then, however, people didn't celebrate in honor of Venus, or the goddess of beauty and love, but Fauna, the god of fertility, and the founders of the city themselves, i.e. Remus and Romulus. The need for this holiday developed as a form of uniting the population of the new city of Rome (whose patron saint was Remus and Romulus) and the village of which he was the patron Faun.
Despite the fact that holiday celebrated like today Valentine's Day in mid-February, it was then known as Lupercalia. The ceremonies included purification ceremonies often involving various, often bloody, sacrifices, in order to better prepare for the coming of spring. Women believed that participating in these ceremonies would ensure fertility and an easy birth. During Lupercalia the names of young women were drawn by men. The couples chosen during this ritual spent time together until the end of the festival, which often turned into lasting relationships.
The influence of Christianity and the emergence of Valentine's Day.
Existence holiday of love over the years it has been influenced by various cultures, including Christianity. Although it might seem that the followers of Christ would try to completely eradicate the pagan nature of this holiday, it has survived to this day thanks to them. How? The activity of Bishop Valentine, who lived in the 3rd century AD. He opposed the order of the then Emperor Claudius II, who banned young men from marrying.
The ruler was convinced that single men made better soldiers. Valentine secretly officiated weddings for couples in love, for which he was thrown into prison and executed. Before his execution, however, he managed to write a letter to the jailer's daughter, signing himself as “your Valentine”, which gave rise to what we know today Valentine's Day. The belief in the heroic glory of the bishop led in the 5th century to proclaim him a saint and patron of lovers. The day of the clergyman's inclusion in the ranks of saints, that is, precisely February 14th, not only gained a religious character, but also replaced the pagan holiday Lupercalia. Although some pagan love traditions have survived, the day has been known as Valentine's day.
Why celebrate Valentine's Day?
In the Middle Ages not only was Valentine's Day, but also many have been actively introduced or popularized love traditions. February 14, the day of Valentine's Day, was also associated with the period of pairing of birds. In addition, the belief in these mysterious forces of attraction of animals and people to each other, was established in the 14th century through numerous love poems, and especially ""Parliament of birds" by Geoffrey Chaucer. He described in it just Valentine's day as a day for lovers to match. The popularity of love poems at court and the invention of printing led in the 15th century to the initiation of the tradition of sending love letters.
Simultaneously with technological progress, colonial conquests, and the invention of mass mail, love letters and poems reached the ends of the world. In this way, already in the 20th century, Americans commercialized the holiday by adding to love letters the custom of giving small gifts to loved ones. Thus, to the canon love gifts in addition to Valentine's Day cards, they also came in chocolates, jewellery and flowers, especially roses.
Summary: When was Valentine's Day created and how do we celebrate it?
Valentine's Day over the years it has undergone various transformations, which only increased its popularity. However, the center has always been love and closeness. Now you not only know, when is valentines day, but also how it has changed over the years feast of the patron saints of lovers. This will allow you to more fully immerse yourself in your feelings for your loved one, showing her how important your relationship is to you. February 14th is the day, when expressing feelings should be easier than usual. Don't be afraid and say w the day when is Valentine's Day I love you a person who is particularly close to you.
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