February 14 is traditionally celebrated around the world as Valentine's Day. People call this holiday the Day of Lovers. This day is a symbol of love, romance and tenderness. On this holiday, it is customary to give flowers, balloons, cards and sweets to loved ones. Today, Valentine's Day is a wonderful occasion to give a little warmth and love, but at the beginning of its history, the holiday had completely different traditions.

The origin and history of Valentine's Day

To this day, the exact history of 14 February, Valentine's Day, remains unknown. However, it is believed that the date of the celebration originated in pagan times. A little later, with the advent of Christianity, the holiday was dedicated to Saint Valentine.

The golden legend of Saint Valentine: the secret wedding of lovers

The holiday on 14 February is associated with the early Christian martyr Valentine. This bishop was a native of the city of Terni, located near Rome. Saint Valentine lived approximately in the third century. According to legend, 14 February, or Valentine's Day, originated in 270 BC in the Roman Empire.

At that time, Claudius II ruled, who forbade soldiers from marrying during wartime. He believed that family weakened soldiers and burdened them with domestic responsibilities. The priest Valentine secretly married lovers. When the emperor found out about this, he arrested him, tortured him and ordered him to be executed for anti-state activities. On the night before his execution, which fell on 14 February, Valentine wrote a letter to a girl he had befriended during his imprisonment. The letter was a love letter, written in verse and signed ‘Your Valentine.’ This is how the modern tradition of giving each other cute cards, called ‘valentines,’ came about. This is the origin of Valentine's Day.

According to some legends, Valentine was imprisoned under house arrest. The head of the house where the bishop was being held asked him to demonstrate the true power of God. Valentine then restored the sight of the master's daughter, the same girl to whom he later wrote a letter before his execution. After this miracle, the entire family converted to Christianity. When Claudius II found out about this, he ordered the miracle worker to be executed.

Some historians believe that there were at least two saints named Valentine, and both died on 14 February. The bishop's good deeds in the name of love formed the basis of the story of St. Valentine's Day.

The history of Valentine's Day: from antiquity to Christianity

The holiday on 14 February can also be traced back to another historical period, during which paganism was prevalent. In ancient Rome, this date was celebrated rather brutally. The fact is that at that time, this day was not considered a day for lovers, but a pagan holiday called Lupercalia. The holiday honoured the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus, and the celebration period fell on 13-15 February. On this day, people made bloody sacrifices, beat women with leather whips and drank wine.

Usually, a goat was sacrificed for fertility and a dog for purification. After that, the goat was skinned, cut into strips, and dipped in sacrificial blood. People took these whips out into the streets and beat women with them and struck the ground. It was believed that this ritual would help women conceive more quickly and give birth easily, and that the fields would yield a better harvest. On this day, there was also a tradition for young women: they wrote their names on a tablet and threw it into a large urn. All interested men randomly picked a tablet and could unite with the girl for at least a year.

Later, with the advent of Christianity, pagan traditions were quickly eradicated. Thus, the history of Valentine's Day dates back to Ancient Rome and pagan culture, but the romantic version of the holiday began during the reign of Claudius II (268-270).

How Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world

Nowadays, Valentine's Day on 14 February is a symbol of love, romance and warm embraces. The celebration includes certain traditions and customs that are unique to different countries around the world.

Main traditions on Valentine's Day: from valentines to gifts

According to legend, Valentine's Day is a holiday primarily associated with the beautiful feeling of love. Therefore, it is not surprising that the main traditions and rituals are also closely intertwined with this feeling. Perhaps the most popular gift is a valentine — a small heart-shaped card with a romantic message. For Ukrainians, giving a valentine to a loved one is an integral tradition on Valentine's Day. On this day, men often give women flowers as a sign of their bright feelings. Other traditional gifts include sweets, soft toys, etc.

Since the holiday has a romantic meaning, many couples go on dates. This day is a great opportunity for couples to experience new positive emotions by going to the cinema, restaurants, theatres and performances. It is impossible not to mention that 14 February, as Valentine's Day, is also a wonderful occasion for a marriage proposal, a wedding or a long-awaited confession of feelings.

Valentine's Day traditions reflect the beautiful feeling of love, as well as care, family comfort and romance.

The symbolism of 14 February and the magic of declarations of love

Valentine's Day is undoubtedly a symbol of sincere love and a perfect moment for declarations of love. The main symbol of the holiday is the Valentine's card. As is well known, the first such card was created by Saint Valentine himself for his beloved before his execution. Since then, people around the world have adopted this tradition, and each of us gives such a lovely card with a message of love to our loved ones every year.

It is believed that this day is the best time to confess your feelings. The magic of love confessions creates an incredible atmosphere in every corner of the world.

And although the meaning of Valentine's Day is the same, gifts and celebrations vary slightly from country to country. In France, jewellery is considered the best gift, while in Denmark it is dried white flowers. In Italy, this holiday is also called ‘sweet day’ because it is customary to give your loved ones sweets. Usually these are cakes and other sweets decorated with hearts and doves. In Finland, 14 February is considered Friendship Day, so on this day, not only loved ones but also best friends are congratulated.

Folk wisdom and superstitions on Valentine's Day

As with practically all holidays in Ukraine, our people have their own beliefs and folk superstitions on Valentine's Day.

What the weather and chance encounters portend: folk omens

Among weather beliefs are the following:

If the sky is covered with stars on 14 February, spring will be late.
If the weather is warm on this day, it will remain so for another 30 days.
Severe frosts mean that spring will be cold.
If the evening sky is covered with clouds, the following days will be fine.

In a romantic sense, this day also has certain beliefs:

A chance encounter on this day portends happy love and the quick start of a romantic relationship.
If you fall in love on this day, these feelings will be eternal, and you will never fall out of love.
If a young man gives a girl a flower, she will quickly fall in love with him.
If a dog approaches you on the street, do not chase it away, because it portends a meeting with your soul mate very soon.
Make a wish for love on 14 February, and it will definitely come true.
Making a mutual promise on this day portends the creation of an unbreakable union between two lovers. That is why Valentine's Day is considered one of the best days for a wedding.

Frequently asked questions

What should you not give on 14 February so as not to spoil your relationship?

You should not give watches (as they symbolise separation) or any sharp objects (as they symbolise quarrels). You should also avoid banal gifts, such as socks and household appliances, so as not to offend your partner.

What colour embroidered shirt best suits the atmosphere of Valentine's Day?

A red, pink or white embroidered shirt with beautiful authentic embroidery is suitable for Valentine's Day. This clothing will create an incredibly romantic holiday atmosphere.

Is Valentine's Day a pagan holiday?

Although Valentine's Day can be associated with an ancient pagan holiday, its modern version has almost no traces of paganism. Modern 14 February is more a reflection of the times of Christianity and the good deeds of Saint Valentine in the name of love.