The History & Symbolism of Valentine's Day

The exact origins of Valentine's Day are unknown, but it is thought to have evolved from a combination of Christian and pagan traditions. One theory is that Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian priest who was martyred on February 14 in the 3rd century AD. According to legend, Saint Valentine was executed for performing secret marriages for any soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Roman emperor.

Another theory is that Valentine's Day is associated with the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to the god Faunus. During the festival, young men would draw the names of young women from a jar and pair off with them for the duration of the festival.

(Right) A depiction of what Saint Valentine is believed to look like. (Left) An artist depiction of the Roman festival, Lupercalia.

Valentine's Day Over the Years

The way that people have celebrated Valentine's Day has changed over time. In the early days of the holiday, people would exchange handwritten love letters and poems. They would also give each other gifts of flowers, food, and jewelry. In the 18th century, Valentine's Day became more popular in England and North America. People began to exchange mass-produced Valentine's Day cards. They also started to celebrate the holiday by going out on dates to restaurants and theaters. 

Here are some examples of how people throughout history have celebrated Valentine's Day:

• In the Middle Ages, people believed that birds chose their mates on February 14. This led to the tradition of giving birds as gifts on Valentine's Day.
• In the 18th century, Valentine's Day was celebrated by exchanging handwritten love letters and poems. Some of the most famous love poems in the English language were written for Valentine's Day, such as "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell and "A Valentine" by John Clare.
• In the 19th century, Valentine's Day became more commercialized. Mass-produced Valentine's Day cards and chocolates became popular.
• In the 20th century, Valentine's Day became a global holiday. People all over the world began to celebrate the holiday by exchanging gifts, going on dates, and expressing their love for each other.

Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love and affection. It is a day for couples to express their love for each other through gifts, gestures, and words of affirmation. It is also a day for people to celebrate the love that they have for their family, friends, and even pets.

Valentine's Day is an important holiday because it reminds us of the importance of love in our lives. Love is what connects us to others and gives our lives meaning. It is what makes us feel happy, supported, and cherished, amd it is important to note that Valentine's Day is not just about romantic love. It is also a day to celebrate all kinds of love, including love for family, friends, and even pets. So, no matter who you love, be sure to take some time on Valentine's Day to show them how much you care.

If you need help choosing a gift for Valentine's Day, give us a call and we can help you find the perfect floral masterpiece to convey your emotions on this very special day of love.