Valentine's Day – Harry & Co Jewellery

Origins and Legends of Valentine's Day

Celebrated annually on February 14
Originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine
Various martyrdom stories associated with Saint Valentines connected to February 14
Early tradition of Saint Valentine restoring sight to the blind daughter of his jailer
Numerous early Christian martyrs named Valentine
Two Valentines honored on February 14: Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni
Relics of St. Valentine were kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome
Saint Valentine was a priest of Rome who was imprisoned for helping persecuted Christians
Contemporary records of Saint Valentine were likely destroyed during the Diocletianic Persecution
Stories of martyrdom for Saint Valentine of Rome appeared in works like Passio Marii et Marthae and Bede's Martyrology
Legend states that Saint Valentine was interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II and refused to convert to Roman paganism
Before his execution, Saint Valentine is said to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer

Day associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries
Became an occasion for couples to express their love through flowers, confectionery, and greeting cards
Symbols associated with Valentine's Day include heart-shaped outline, doves, and Cupid
Handmade cards gave way to mass-produced greetings in the 19th century

St. Valentine's Day is recognized in various Christian denominations
Feast day of Saint Valentine is given in the calendar of saints in the Anglican Communion
Feast day of Saint Valentine is also celebrated in the calendar of saints of the Lutheran Church
In the Roman Catholic Church, the feast day of Saint Valentine was relegated from the General Roman Calendar but can still be recognized optionally during mass
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Saint Valentine is recognized on July 6 and July 30 in honor of different saints named Valentine

European folk traditions connected with Valentine's Day have become marginalized
Regional customs in England, such as Jack Valentine leaving treats for children
In Slovenia, Saint Valentine is the saint of good health and patron of beekeepers
Proverbs and traditions linking Valentine's Day with the beginning of spring
Valentine's Day was traditionally associated with Saint Anthony and celebrated on June 13
Lupercalia festival in Ancient Rome observed on February 13-15
Lupercalia had slight connection to fertility and none to love
No historical evidence linking St. Valentine's Day to Lupercalia
Theories about Pope Gelasius I replacing Lupercalia with the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the 19th century, Valentine cards became popular in England and were assembled in factories
Paper lace and ribbons were used to create fancy Valentines, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century
The reduction in postal rates and the invention of the postage stamp allowed for the anonymous exchange of Valentines
The popularity of Valentine's Day cards led to the establishment of Cupids Manufactory, employing thousands of women
The UK population spends a significant amount of money on Valentine's Day gifts, including cards, flowers, and chocolates
The commercialization of Valentine's Day in the 19th century foreshadowed the commercialization of other holidays
The rise of the internet has created new traditions, with millions of people using digital means to create and send Valentine's Day greetings
Some consider Valentine's Day to be a commercialized holiday, similar to Halloween or Christmas.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/valentines-day
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37587
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/018y5m