"Love is a promise; love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear."
Although this festival of love is meant for every age group, with changing times youth started cherishing this day to express their feelings to some one close to their heart along with flowers, gifts and chocolates.
"Love doesn t make the World go Round...
It is what makes the ride Worthwhile"
February 14 is a day to celebrate love and passion. Images of cupids, hearts, flowers and love birds can be seen everywhere. The atmosphere blooms with the fragrance of roses. The origin of this day has no confirmed records but is attributed to the patron Saint Valentine who spread love amongst the people of Rome in the third century.
Valentine's Day is amongst the most awaited festival in this world. The Valentine celebrations starts a week before with the Valentine Week where each day has its own special significance. From the Hug Day to the Teddy Day and from from Chocolate Day to Rose Day - everyday becomes special for the love birds. Markets are flooded with the Valentine's Day greetings cards and gifts and the shopping malls become the favorite destination.
People use different ways to express their love for their partners. Some gift red roses, some gift chocolates, some take out their partners for romantic dinners, some like spending the day in the discotheques dancing with their loved ones, some go out for a drive and some do it all. Whatever way you choose to celebrate the Valentine's Day - the feeling, passion and love remains the same. The phrase Will You be My Valentine is most commonly used for proposals on this day.
Valentine's Day has several legends and historical narratives associated with its origins and significance. Here are a few notable ones:
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Saint Valentine of Rome: One of the most popular legends suggests that Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Roman priest who lived during the 3rd century AD. According to legend, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Saint Valentine defied the emperor's decree and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, he was imprisoned and later executed on February 14th. Before his death, he allegedly wrote a letter signed "From your Valentine" to a jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed, thus establishing the tradition of sending Valentine's Day cards.
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Roman Fertility Festival: Another theory suggests that Valentine's Day originated from the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, which was held on February 15th. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. During the festival, young men would draw names of women from a jar to be coupled with them for the duration of the festival, sometimes leading to marriages.
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Christian Martyrs Named Valentine: Apart from Saint Valentine of Rome, there were other Christian martyrs named Valentine who were also honored on February 14th. The exact origins of how Saint Valentine became associated with romantic love are unclear, but the legends and traditions surrounding him contributed to the modern-day celebration of Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day is significant primarily for its association with love and romance. Here are a few key points about its significance:
Celebration of Love: It's a day dedicated to expressing affection and love to partners, family members, and friends through gestures like gifts, cards, and acts of kindness.
Historical and Cultural Roots: The holiday is believed to have originated from ancient Roman fertility festivals and later Christian martyrs named Valentine. Over time, it became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages.
Commercial and Cultural Impact: Valentine's Day is widely celebrated around the world and has become a significant commercial event for industries like greeting cards, florists, and restaurants. It also serves as a cultural touchstone for expressing emotions and strengthening relationships.
Modern Traditions: Modern celebrations often include romantic dinners, exchanging flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and heartfelt messages. It's a day when people make an effort to show appreciation and love for their significant others.
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