Was reading back some of the posts I’ve written a year ago from this date onwards. Didn’t realise that I used to write more than I do now. I mean on my feelings and stuff. My blog was pretty like a diary to me at that time. Now, I do write but trying to hide most of my feelings from this current blog. Oh well, I don’t write much of my own feelings nowadays because I don’t have the time to really think about it. Time is already insufficient for me, so trying to handle my own stupid feelings at time is really a waste of time. At least, that is what I feel. However, I try to look things with a positive mind now, I guess. So, don’t bother much to think about them. Or have I gone immune with myself?
But, I felt better after throwing out what I feel last time. Maybe, I should just sleep now. It’s 3 am and I still have a long day to go tomorrow with Business Finance midterm. God bless me with wisdom! It’s sorta a doomed paper to me. I need help soon!! Any business finance’s specialist here? Sigh…
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When & How Did Valentine’s Day Begin
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Originated in 5th century Rome as a tribute to Saint Valentine, a Catholic bishop.
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800 years before – Romans practices a pagan celebration in mid-Feb of their god, Lupercus, to commemorate young men’s coming of age.
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Highlight of celebration – Lottery in which the young men would draw the names of teen girls from a box. Name drawn would be the man’s sexual companion for the rest of the year, and the cycle would repeat each year. (This is so sad and what an insult to those innocent teen girls back then.)
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When Church gained power in Rome, Pope Gelasius tried to stop this and devised it by putting names of saints’ name, instead of girls. Both men and women are allowed to draw from the box and they were to follow the example of the saint whose name was drawn for the year. Of course, many young Roman men were not pleased with this!
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To replace the pagan God, Lupercus, the Church looked for an appropriate choice in Valentine, a Roman priest who, on Feb 14 in 270 AD had been beheaded by Emporer Claudius for conducting secret weddings, thus defying the Emporer’s impractical ban on all marriages in the kingdom.
Was There More Than One Saint Valentine?
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Yes, there is some controversy regarding the saint after whom the famous day named.
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there may have been more than one Valentine. Today, the Catholic Church recognised at least 3 different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom martyred on Feb 14 and at least two of those in Italy during the 3rd century.
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Most popular – to be the 3rd century Roman priest who practiced Christianity and performed secret marriage against orders from Emporer Claudius II.
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The emporer decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young men.
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Valentine, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages. When his actions were discovered, Claudius first imprisoned him and tried to convert him into paganism. Valentine reversed the strategy by trying to convert Claudius to Christianity.
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Failing to do so, he was put to death.
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Another story was told that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. Either way, he was obviously someone who was willing to risk his life for a worthy cause!
Who Sent The First Valentine Greeting?
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According to legend, it was Valentine himself.
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When Valentine was imprisoned, it is believed that he fell in love with a young girl – blind daughter of the jailer who visited him in prison.
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Apparently, his love for her, and his great faith in God, managed to heal her from blindness miraculously.
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Before he was taken to be executed, he wrote her a farewell letter, which he signed “From your Valentine”.
What Did Early Valentine Cards Look Like?
The giving of valentine cards grew out of practice of couples in love giving candy, flowers or gifts t one another. Early valentines were made by hand, using coloured paper, water colours and coloured inks. These card styles, some still made today, included:
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Pinprick Valentines: made by pricking tiny holes in paper with a pin to produce a lace effect
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Cut-out Valentines: made by folding paper several times and cutting out an intricate lace design with small, sharp scissors
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Acrostic Valentines: written verses where the first letters of each line spelled out the beloved’s name
Although we can have e-cards or printed ones in the stores, they would never replace the creative efforts of lovers who continued to craft beautiful handmade cards. Yeah, I guess for myself, I would prefer handmade ones because I like doing handmade cards myself (for any other occasions ya is what I meant). *smiles*
What Are The More Popular Valentine Symbols Today?
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Heart Symbol – Most popular symbol which signifies romance/love.
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Cupid – The cherubic and mischievous winged child whose arrows would pierce the hearts of his victims causing them to fall deeply in love. He became the natural “mascot” because he was the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
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Lace – Symbolic of romance and was often used to embellish valentine cards. Centuries ago, if a woman droped her lace handkerchief, a man pick it up for her. So, if a woman had her eye on a man, she might intentionally drop it near him to encourage interest.
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Roses - Universally represent love, and the red signifies the strong feelings synonymous with Valentine’s Day. This is probably the most popular flower men give their sweethearts.
The legacy of love on Valentine’s Day is not limited to a significant other only, but to all those who matter. Perhaps that’s what makes this day of love so amazing and how it successfully unites us, regardless of race, religion or differences, in a shared desire to celebrate our loves in a heartful and meaningful way. I think Valentine’s Day is not celebrated only on the Feb 14th, but everyday in our life; not only to our partner (boyfriend/girlfriend), but with our dearest family and friends too. Here wishing you and all your loved ones a Happy Valentine’s Day!
