Understanding Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated every year on February 14th. While it is associated with romance in today’s society, its roots can be traced back to both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. This day of love and affection is marked by the exchange of gifts such as flowers, chocolates, and greeting cards, fondly known as ‘valentines’.
Historical Significance
The day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome during the 3rd Century. There are several stories about who he was and how he became associated with this annual celebration of love. One tale suggests that Saint Valentine defied the Emperor’s orders banning young men from marrying to ensure a supply of soldiers for the Roman Empire. Saint Valentine, rather, performed marriages in secret, which when discovered, led to his imprisonment and eventual martyrdom on February 14.
Celebration Around The World
While Valentine’s Day is celebrated in several countries around the world, the nature of the celebrations differs from place to place. In some nations, Valentine’s Day is a day for expressing love between family members and friends rather than solely romantic partners. Many Latin American countries know the day as ‘Dia del Amor y la Amistad’ (Day of Love and Friendship). Schools often hold special events where students can share gifts and notes with friends.
Commercialization of Valentine’s Day
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Valentine’s Day has transformed into a massive commercial venture. In the United States alone, it is estimated that people spend over $20 billion on Valentine’s Day each year, with the average person spending around $170.
- Approximately 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually
- Over $2 billion is spent on flowers
- Around $1.8 billion is spent on candy
- About $4.7 billion is spent on jewelry
Reinvention of Valentine’s Day
While the business of Valentine’s Day continues to grow, there has been a recent wave of reinvention. More and more people are moving away from the traditional clichés and celebrating love in their own unique ways. From self-love practices to treating friends on ‘Galentine’s Day,’ February 14th is being recognized beyond just romantic love.
