Valentine’s Day – 14th February
There is no remedy for love but to love more…
February 14th – the day which is called after Saint Valentine’s name Valentine’s Day is one of the most famous holidays in the world. It is the traditional day for lovers to express their love to each other. They do this by sending Valentine’s cards with romantic messages. It is common to leave the card unsigned. Other traditions on this day are buying chocolates and giving red roses.
Valentine’s Day used to be an American and European thing, but now it has gone all over the world. It has become very commercial. Companies that make Valentine’s goods even encourage people to send Valentine’s cards to their parents and other family members!
Suggested Read: Valentine Day quotes
In Japan, only women give Valentine’s gifts – to all the men they know. There is confusion over which Saint Valentine the day is named after. It is either Valentine of Rome, who lived in the third century, or Saint Valentine, bishop of Terni, from the 14th century. The custom of exchanging romantic messages seems to have started in 19th-century England. In 1847, an American woman, Esther Howland, started producing and selling Valentine cards.
Today, over one billion are sent worldwide, with women sending 85 percent of them. Different companies slowly saw opportunities to make money from Valentine’s Day. In the 1980s, diamond companies began promoting jewelry as the ultimate Valentine’s gift. French and Italian restaurants are also very busy on this day.
Suggested Read: Valentines Day Gifts Ideas
In India, Valentine’s day is driven more by fashion and less by emotions. Gift galleries, clubs, pubs, hotels, etc. en-cash emotions and earn a lot on this day and couples express their “true love” on this day. In Hinduism, there is a god of love called Kamadeva, who wields a bow of flowers and it is believed couples stuck by his arrows fall in love.
It’s supposed to be a day when we pay special attention to the people we love. It’s an especially important day in romantic relationships, although there are Valentine’s cards for parents, children, friends… pretty much anybody. Though some see it as a western import and hesitate to celebrate, there exists a large and growing number of those who love the feeling behind the beautiful and romantic festival. Especially to the Indian youth February 14 signifies love – a day when people express their affection for others. Just like several other countries, people in India too celebrate Valentine’s Day by exchanging cards and gifts.
Suggested Read: History of Valentine’s Day
Valentine Week Before and After Valentine’s Day
Rose Day: 7th February
It is called Rose Day, on this day we give roses to those we love. Every color of rose has a symbolic meaning attached to it.
Propose Day: 8th February
It is called Propose Day, as it is the day where you can propose to anybody whom you love truly,
Chocolate Day: 9th February
It is called Chocolate Day, on this day everyone gives chocolate to their love, thus sharing all the sweetness.
Teddy Day: 10th February
It is called Teddy Bear Day, on this day, the loved one gives gifts to each other, in which they all bring gifts for the person they love.
Promise Day: 11th February
It is called Promise Day, on this day everyone promises to carry their love together. Remembering all the promises. They promise to fulfill it.
Kiss Day: 12th February
This day is called Kiss day, on this day everyone spends time with each other, makes every moment a remembrance, by remembering the previous things, and making new memories.
Hug Day: 13th February
It is called Hug Day, on this day couples express their feelings by staying together. They embrace each other with love and always feel like supporting each other, which will keep them tied even in difficult times.
VALENTINE DAY: 14th February
This is the last day, which is called Valentine’s Day, on this day all the couples spend the whole day with each other.
Slap Day: 15th February
Kick Day: 16th February
Perfume Day: 17th February
Flirting Day: 18th February
Confession Day: 19th February
Missing Day: 20th February
Break up Day: 21st February
Suggested Read: Valentine Day Gift for him
Valentine’s Day roses Meaning
Below are some meanings of common rose colors:
Red rose: Romantic love, desire (can be expressed with a single red rose)
White rose: Innocence and charm
Mixed red and white roses: Unity
Light pink rose: Grace
Dark pink rose: Thankfulness
Medium pink rose: Happiness
Lavender rose: Enchantment, love at first sight
Burgundy rose: Beauty
Coral rose: Desire
Orange rose: Fascination
Peach rose: Modesty, immortality
Yellow rose: friendship, joy, gladness
Mixed colored roses: You’re everything to me
Suggested Read: Valentine Day Gift for her
Fun Valentine’s Day Facts:
• The expression “to wear your heart on your sleeve” comes from the tradition of men wearing slips of paper with their beloved’s name on it to their shirt sleeve
• King Henry VII of England officially declared St. Valentine’s Day a holiday in 1537
• Red roses were thought to be the favorite flower of Venus, the Goddess of Love
• Approximately 110 million roses (typically red) are sold & delivered in a 3 day period around Valentine’s Day
• In the late 1800s, Richard Cadbury introduced the first box of chocolates
• 73% of people who buy Valentine’s Day flowers are men and 27% are women
• Roughly 190 million cards are sent every year in the U.S., excluding those sent by schoolchildren. If you include cards from children, the total number reaches 1 billion and teachers become the largest group of recipients.
• France’s Duke of Orléans sent the first known Valentine’s card to his wife in 1415
• Esther Howland sold the first U.S. mass-produced Valentine’s Day cards in 1847
• Sending Valentine’s cards used to only be associated with couples but now extends to family, friends, co-workers, etc.
• Most popular gifts exchanged between lovers include: chocolate flowers (typically roses), teddy bears, and sometimes jewelry
• Traditionally, couples will go out for a romantic evening together, but other emerging traditions include Valentine’s Day balls and couples-only or singles-only parties
