The popular customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day undoubtedly had their origin in a conventional belief generally received in England and France during the Middle Ages, that on 14 February, i.e. half way through the second month of the year, the birds began to pair. Thus in Chaucer’s Parliament of Foules we read:
For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne's day
Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.
For this reason the day was looked upon as specially consecrated to lovers and as a proper occasion for writing love letters and sending lovers' tokens. Both the French and English literatures of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries contain allusions to the practice. Perhaps the earliest to be found is in the 34th and 35th Ballades of the bilingual poet, John Gower, written in French; but Lydgate and Clauvowe supply other examples.
In short, those who chose each other under these circumstances seem to have been called by each other their Valentines. In the Paston Letters, Dame Elizabeth Brews writes thus about a match she hopes to make for her daughter (we modernize the spelling), addressing the favoured suitor.
Valentines Day Traditions
The tradition of writing notes to a lover around the time of St. Valentines Day, and calling them “My Valentine”, has been occurring since the fourteenth and fifteen centuries.
While centuries ago men wrote poems, the tradition continues today with the sending of Valentines cards to friends and lovers. Saying “I love you”, “be mine”. Written in poetic language.
Giving a loved one a gift of flowers is a long standing tradition, which has come down through the centuries. And many male lovers were also known to give a loved one a gift of an animal or a special food.
Today, while we still follow some of these traditions, it’s more common to give gifts of candy, wine and jewelry. To further celebrate the day with a date. Or spending private time one has romantically organized.
It’s a fact that Valentines Day and Christmas are the days on which the most people get engaged or married. To celebrate their love.
Why the colors of red, pink and purple to accent the day?
Color specialists tell us Red is the color of passion. It generates excitement, and interest. It suggests sex.
It’s also been determined the color Pink is a color women love. It’s a comfortable color for them. A color designers use for baby girls. Hence the reason why there are so many gifts and flowers, advertisements using the color pink.
Purple is also the sign of sensuality.
Valentines Day is a day when you show your love:
Most are so busy throughout the year, caring for family and children, working, it’s often difficult to show their spouse or significant other just how much they care. Valentines Day gives everyone the opportunity to show the special someones in their life how they feel with small gifts of love and special attention.
