6 Of The Best: Valentines Day Facts
It’s a day either for camping out by your letterbox or spending the day pretending you’re far too busy and important to be worrying about such things as chocolates and flowers. But how did this festival for lovers first come into being?
Back in time
There are two historical reasons why a day in the middle of February was chosen as a festival for lovers. The earliest reference to such a celebration was the Roman Feast of Lupercia. During the festival the names of boys and girls would be put into an urn in each village. Those whose names were drawn together on the feast day would then pair off for the duration of the festival. The more specific date of Febuary 14th as a lovers’ day was settled on in mediaeval times because it was believed on that date that birds began their mating.
Will the real Valentine stand up?
There are up to three possible St Valentines to choose from, but most sources place the inspiration for the day on a Roman priest. When Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men, believing that they made better soldiers when single, Valentine continued to marry couples in secret. He was eventually discovered and executed – although not before falling in love with the jailer’s daughter and sending her the first Valentine card pledging his love.
Letters Of Love
A more recent historical figure is credited with sending the first Valentine card. Charles Duke of Orleans sent love letters to his wife from his prison cell in the Tower of London during his time there in the early 15th century. It wasn’t until the mid-18th century that Valentine cards became more popular. Later still in Victorian times people would decorate their cards with bows and ribbons.
Britain’s Mrs Valentine
Every year Ann Noble who runs the Post Office at Lover, Wiltshire gets over 2000 cards from people wanting the Lover postmark on their Valentine’s Day Cards. To go the extra distance for your loved one, you can send your card to:
Ann Noble
Lover Post Office
Brown Bonnet
Besomer Drove
Lover
Salisbury SP5 2PN
Custom and Tradition
There are various customs and traditions associated with finding the name of your husband-to-be on Valentine's Day. Those of you searching for the love of your life could try running around your local church twelve times at midnight on St Valentine’s Eve hoping to see an apparition of your lover (although it's more likely you'll attract the attentions of your local bobby). Alternatively, and more safely, another tradition holds that the first man’s name you read that day will be the name of your future spouse.
The Language Of Flowers
If you’re thinking of sending your loved one flowers this Valentine’s Day, you may find it helpful to brush up on the language of flowers.
Red Rose – Passionate Love
Camellia – You Are Perfect In Every Way
Red Carnation – My Heart Aches For You
Daffodils – You’re The Only One For Me
Blue Hyacinths – Our Love Is Constant
Sunflower – I Adore You
Red Tulip – You’re a Perfect Lover
And one to avoid…
Yellow Carnations – You Disappoint Me
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