Every February 14th, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?
The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France
THE LEGEND OF CUPID
Once there was only Darkness and Chaos. Out of Darkness came Eros, the name for love in ancient times. When Eros and Chaos met they created a family. Their children were the ocean, earth, air, and all creatures including people.
Eros became known to people as the spirit of love. Later in ancient Rome, Eros was called Cupid.
Some people say when they fall in love, they actually feel their hearts flutter as though they had been struck with a love potion carried on a tiny invisible arrow. So the story of Cupid was expanded to say he had a small bow and a quiver of invisible gold-tipped arrows covered in magic love potions. When Cupid was drawn, he was made small to match the size of his bow and arrows. Wings were added so he could fly anywhere he wanted. Cupid was said to be childlike and innocent, knowing only true love. So the picture of Cupid was an almost naked, chubby child with wings, a bow, and a quiver full of love arrows flying overhead looking for hearts to shoot full of love.
CRAFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
Puzzles - Trace heart shape onto heavy paper (i.e. poster board) for each student. Instruct students to write a Valentine's sentiment neatly on heart shape. (Encourage creativity.) When messages have been written, instruct students to cut out heart shapes. Students should then outline puzzle pieces onto reverse side of heart, then proceed to cut these out. Upon completion, each heart's pieces should be stored in a separate bag. Exchange bags. Allow students to piece together puzzles and read messages.
Bracelets - Cut a 1"-wide strip of pink construction paper long enough to fit around a child's arm. Cut three hearts out red construction paper. On each of the hearts, print one word of a Valentine message ("I love you" or "Be my Valentine" or "Happy Valentine's Day"). Let the children put the words in order to form a phrase, then paste them in the correct order onto their bracelet strips. Add other decorations as desired. Tape the completed bracelets on children's arms for take-home Valentine's treats.
AMERICAN VALENTINE'S DAY CARD TRADITIONS
In America there have been many different forms of cards given on Valentine's day over the years. Many of these may not have been nice as there were cards that were often rude and almost cruel in their humor, But, there were many that were intricate and a lot of thought that went into them.
There were cards in the times of the civil war that were flagged with rich color, patriotic and political motifs. There were ones that showed lovers, their heroes and generals, skits and comical.
There were cards also not in the best of tastes that some men would send to former loves or people they wanted to get back at for some reason or another. These cards were sent to cause discomfort and might say things such as "boss-eyed" or other similar phrases.
There were many Valentines that were especially lithographed and hand-colored, beautiful in there design and that had a distinction of there own. Many cards were imported from overseas due to the paper being of poor quality and not suitable for embossing.
There were many cards that were produced with intricate lace paper, decorated with ornaments such as beads, sea shells, cones, berries, and all different kinds of seeds. Some may even have seaweed or moss with dried flowers or artificial flowers which was all attached to a string so as it could be hung creating a three dimensional picture.
THE MEANING OF ROSES
Roses symbolize both peace and war, love and forgiveness. White roses are for true love. Red roses are for passion. Yellow roses are for friendship. Black roses mean farewell.
INTERESTING VALENTINE TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS
- Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on St. Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:
Good morning to you, valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine---
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine.
- In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
- Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
- Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.
- If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.
- A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- but not too closely!
- Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.
- Some people said if you found a glove on the road on Valentine's Day, your future beloved will have the other missing glove.
- Some believed the first man's name you read in the paper or hear will be the name of the man you will marry.
