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Express Tribune
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Fun facts about Valentine's Day: From ancient rituals to modern celebrations
Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th, is widely known as a day for love, romance, and heartfelt gestures. From exchanging sweet cards and gifts to planning elaborate dinners and proposals, the day is marked by countless traditions. However, its history and evolution are rich with interesting facts that many may not be aware of. Below are 25 fun and surprising facts about Valentine's Day that showcase its evolution from ancient rituals to modern-day celebrations. 1. Valentine's day and 14th Century Although Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as Valentine's Day in the 5th century, it wasn't until the 14th century that the day became associated with love and romance. This shift was largely thanks to English poet Geoffrey Chaucer, who famously documented it as a day of romantic pairing in his 1375 poem Parliament of Fowls. 2. Saint Valentine is actually two historical figures The holiday is often linked to the legend of Saint Valentine. However, the Catholic Church recognizes multiple saints by that name. One theory ties it to Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, while another connects it to a priest who secretly performed weddings for couples during Emperor Claudius II's marriage ban. 3. Wearing heart on your sleeve has historical roots Today, wearing one's heart "on their sleeve" is an idiom for expressing love openly. But the phrase's origins date back to a Roman tradition where men would draw names to determine their suitor for the year, and wear her name on their sleeve. 4. The oldest known Valentine was written in prison Legend has it that the oldest known Valentine was written by Saint Valentine himself while he was imprisoned. The note, sent to a young girl who had visited him, was signed, "From your Valentine." 5. "Vinegar Valentines" were used to reject unwanted suitors In the Victorian era, 'vinegar valentines' were cards sent to deter suitors. Unlike traditional Valentines, these cards contained insults and rejections rather than affectionate messages. 6. Four US towns are named "Valentine" In the US, there are four towns named Valentine, each with their own unique celebrations. Valentine, Nebraska, for instance, is decorated with heart-shaped street signs and restaurants serve heart-shaped steaks in honour of the holiday. 7. Valentine's Day is the second largest card-sending holiday According to Hallmark, Valentine's Day is the second-largest holiday for card-sending in the U.S., with about 145 million cards exchanged annually. 8. Teachers receive the most Valentine's day cards While many associate Valentine's Day with romantic love, teachers receive the most cards annually, highlighting the broader appreciation people have for those who teach and mentor. 9. Average person spends $188 on Valentine's day In 2025, the average individual is expected to spend $188.81 on Valentine's Day, contributing to a record $27.5 billion in total spending on gifts and celebrations, according to the National Retail Federation. 10. Billions of spending on pets Valentine's Day isn't just for partners. In 2022, Americans spent over $1.18 billion on gifts for their pets, showcasing how love extends to furry friends as well. 11. Candy: the most common Valentine's day gift While many Valentine's Day gifts are thoughtful and expensive, candy remains the most popular gift, though shoppers tend to spend more on jewelry. 12. Heart-shaped chocolate boxes were introduced in the 1860s Cadbury introduced heart-shaped chocolate boxes in the 1860s. These boxes, still one of the most popular gifts today, helped solidify chocolate's status as the go-to Valentine's Day gift. 13. Conversation hearts were originally medical lozenges Did you know that conversation hearts—those sweet candies with cute sayings—originated as medicinal lozenges in the 1800s? A Boston pharmacist initially created them as a remedy for sore throats. 14. Cupid is based on a Roman God While we often picture Cupid as a chubby, winged cherub, his origins trace back to Roman mythology. Known as Eros in Greek mythology, Cupid was the god of love, sparking romantic feelings among gods and men. 15. Valentine's day is the florist's busiest day of the year Valentine's Day is the busiest day for florists, with approximately 22% of Americans buying fresh flowers to give as gifts, making it the number one holiday for flower purchases. 16. Red roses are the most popular valentine's day flowers Red roses have become a symbol of romance due to their association with passion. But different rose colors convey different meanings: pink represents grace, yellow symbolizes happiness, and white represents purity. 17. Around 250 million roses are grown for Valentine's Day In preparation for the holiday, approximately 250 million roses are grown annually, despite the cold winter months preventing their growth locally. These roses are flown in from warmer climates to meet the demand. 18. Galentine's Day was inspired by a TV show Galentine's Day, celebrated on February 13th, was popularized by an episode of Parks and Recreation in 2010. The episode featured Leslie Knope celebrating friendship with a brunch for her female friends. 19. Valentine's Day is a popular proposal day Valentine's Day is one of the most popular dates for proposals, though it isn't the top choice. Christmas Day holds that distinction, according to The Knot's internal data. 20. Lovebirds are real The term "lovebird" isn't just a metaphor. These colorful parrots mate for life, forming lifelong bonds with their partners. They are known for exhibiting erratic behaviour if separated from their mate, similar to human experiences of separation anxiety. 21. "XOXO" has a rich history The popular sign-off "XOXO," which stands for hugs and kisses, dates back to the Middle Ages. The "X" was used as a symbol of faith, resembling a cross, and was sealed with a kiss. The "O" is believed to symbolize an embrace or has origins linked to the game tic-tac-toe. 22. Different celebrations around the world While Valentine's Day is widely celebrated globally, different countries have unique customs. In Brazil, Valentine's Day falls in June, while in the Czech Republic, May is the month for celebrating love. 23. International Quirkyalone Day For those not in romantic relationships, February 14th also marks International Quirkyalone Day, a celebration of romance, friendship, and the independent spirit. 24. Valentine's Day gifts aren't just for humans In recent years, Valentine's Day has expanded to include gifts for pets. In 2022, a significant amount was spent on pet-related gifts, emphasizing that love knows no bounds—even for our four-legged companions. 25. Valentine's Day evolution Valentine's Day's origins may be traced to Roman festivals and saints, but its influence today is truly global. From billion-dollar spending sprees to sweet messages, the holiday continues to evolve, embracing love in all its forms. Valentine's Day has certainly come a long way from its ancient roots to the modern celebration we know today. Whether you're celebrating romantic love, friendship, or simply enjoying a box of chocolates, this day is a reminder of how love and affection have endured through centuries.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dark origins of Valentine's Day: Naked men sacrificing animals, hitting women with hides
While Cupid's arrow may sting a little, it pales in comparison to the darker, more brutal traditions of Valentine's Day — where the holiday was once marked by animal sacrifices and grim rituals. That's right — the day of love actually has a dark history that wasn't all chocolates and roses. In fact, romance had very little to do with the holiday. More: A tiny Texas post office stamps 10,000+ letters from across the world each Valentine's Day Dating back to ancient Rome, the holiday originated with the feast of Lupercalia, celebrated from February 13 to 15. According to NPR, Lupercalia was a sacrificial ritual and festival honoring Lupa, the she-wolf who nursed and sheltered Romulus and Remus. The event was also meant to appease Lupercus, the Roman fertility god, according to During the original festival, men would sacrifice a goat and a dog, then run around — often naked or nearly naked — striking women with the hides of the freshly killed animals. Women lined up to be hit, believing it would increase their fertility. Afterward, the women's names were placed in a jar, and men would draw a name to determine their partner for the remainder of the festival. More: Hate your ex? Give a poop-scented candle, name a cockroach after them this Valentine's Day In an attempt to expel pagan rituals, Pope Gelasius combined the festival with St. Valentine's Day in the fifth century, according to the History Channel. It wasn't necessarily associated with romantic love until the 14th and 15th centuries, likely influenced by medieval poets like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare, who connected the day to courtly love, according to the Delaware News Journal. During the middle ages, lovers and friends began to exchange Valentine's Day cards, according to NPR. It was around 1913 that Valentine's Day literally became a Hallmark holiday. The card maker started to mass-produce valentines, and from that point, romance and commercialism went into overdrive. The holiday is named after Saint Valentine, a martyr from early Christianity. However, there were several saints named Valentine, making it difficult to determine which one is the true namesake. Most legends point to either Saint Valentine of Rome or Saint Valentine of Terni. One legend tells of Saint Valentine, a Roman priest who secretly performed weddings to defy Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriages for young men. For this, he was arrested and executed. Another story focuses on Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop who was also executed for opposing the emperor's orders. Meanwhile, one of the most enduring legends is of an imprisoned Saint Valentine sending a letter to a young girl, signed "From your Valentine," which further contributes to the romantic tradition of the holiday. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What is the origin of Valentine's Day? From dark day to day of love
CBS News
14-02-2025
- General
- CBS News
Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day and who was Saint Valentine?
Each Valentine's Day, millions of Americans gift their partners or loved ones with flowers, cards or candy as a token of their affections on Feb. 14. But while some see it as a commercialized "Hallmark holiday," the occasion actually has ancient roots in Roman history and connections to Saint Valentine. Valentine's Day is the perfect chance to ask someone on a date or to cement a long-lasting commitment to a partner. It could also be a great day to set aside time for yourself or spend a meal with family and friends. Some other Americans, though, rail against a day they feel is an over-commercialization of love, or the holiday might make them feel lonely if they aren't in a pair. A 2024 CBS News/YouGov survey found that 68% of Americans in relationships planned on celebrating Valentine's Day last year, compared with 24% of those not in relationships. Overall, about half of Americans were expected to mark the day. Whether you adore or despise the occasion, you might find its deep and ancient-rooted history surprising. Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day? Since ancient Roman times, people have celebrated a loosely connected festival of love in the second week of February. However, the way people express their love this time of year is "conditioned by the historical circumstances they live in," Yale professor of classics and history Noel Lenski told CBS News. For about a thousand years, starting in the 5th century B.C., Romans celebrated a festival on the 15th of February called Lupercalia, commemorating the founding of Rome and the fertility god Lupercus. This day was essentially a drunken, sexually charged festival at the Palatine Hill in Italy — where men would sacrifice a dog, and with its hide, would beat young women who wanted to be fertile — that lasted until the 5th century C.E. The most famous Lupercalia festival took place a month before Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44 B.C. when Caesar famously rejected the crown offered by Roman general Mark Antony. After the Catholic Church became the dominant power in Rome, the empire became more "buttoned up," as Professor Lenski characterized it. Pope Gelasius, I ended Rome's Lupercalia Day in the 5th Century. Meanwhile, Christians began to hold a feast on Feb. 14 to celebrate Saint Valentine and the sanctity of marriage. Saint Valentine's feast could have been a replacement for Lupercalia, but Lenski said there's no hard proof of this. A lot about this day is very mysterious. There's a lot historians don't know and where the dots always connect. As culture shifted with time, so did Valentine's Day and gift-giving began in the 14th century, Lenski said. The holiday grew more secular as people of that time seemed to consider the day about love, poetry and gifts. " Valentine's Day is characteristic of the place and time," Lenski said. "It says more about the times than it does about Saint Valentine." Who was Saint Valentine? Lenski said Saint Valentine is more legendary than a real person– actually, two people. Two bishops are associated with Saint Valentine and both were martyrs "who died on behalf of the Christian church in the face of persecution from the Romans," he said. One of the legends, Lenski said, is that a bishop secretly performed marriage ceremonies and a Pagan emperor of Rome killed him for doing so. Father Michael Clark of Saint Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Connecticut disagrees that there were multiple, legendary Saint Valentines. "I have seen his skull with my own eyes," he said. Father Michael said Saint Valentine was one, very real person– or at least the man that the church honored with a feast was no legend. He said he did not know of the secret marriage ceremonies, but Valentine's martyrdom for his religion is what strongly resonated with people. "Martyrdom, the giving up of your life, is uncompromising," said Father Michael. "We want to think of our love as uncompromising, too." He said the person we love is "someone we'd be prepared to give our all for." The Song of Solomon 8:6 from the Bible reads, "love is stronger than death." Father Michael said this quote summarizes why Saint Valentine's message impacted people for so many years. Martyrs show people that love transcends one of the few things that unites us all, being alive. While Saint Valentine's feast is no longer celebrated on Feb. 14 by the church, the celebration of love in the U.S. has continued. Who or what is Cupid? Cupid is not just a Valentine's Day gimmick or cartoon character but also has its history in ancient Rome. Cupid comes from the Latin word Cupido, which means desire, and is the child and assistant of Aphrodite or Venus. Cupid shows us that erotic love has been with the human species since the beginning, said Lenski. Love and desire, he said, are a never-ending theme in literature and human experiences. It has always mystified people and we still don't understand it, truly, today. How do we celebrate Valentine's Day in the U.S. now? Valentine's Day has become a major commercial holiday in the U.S. and the love, or spending rather, keeps on growing. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine's Day in 2025. The most popular gifts are likely to be candy, flowers and greeting cards, followed by an evening out and jewelry. But like the Romans or the British during the late Middle Ages, Valentine's Day is a sign of the times for modern-day Americans, too. Lifestyle expert Kathy Copcutt told CBS News that the wildfires that ravaged the L.A. County area in January are impacting how her community is celebrating this year. Copcutt said she and her 11-year-old are meeting with a group of her close friends and their kids for a low-key dinner this year about "celebrating life." She said Valentine's Day is also a great way to "step out" of the stresses of every day and simply gather with the people you love. "I think this year it's more about being surrounded by your loved ones and friends because, thank God, they all made it," she said. "Property can be replaced, but friends and family cannot. I'm holding them all close. Copcutt said she is calling the celebration with family "Falentine's Day." Another popular way to celebrate is doing a "Galentine's Day" with friends. Copcutt suggests indulging in a high tea, which she said is very popular this year. She also emphasized self-love in 2025. "If you can take any day out and take care of yourself, that's great. But if you had to choose a day, I would say Valentine's Day," she said. " Do not be afraid to be alone." Father Michael said that people can't love their neighbor if they don't love themselves. So he also reminds people to "be good to yourself" on Valentine's Day and every day. "You are inherently loveable." Whether you're celebrating with your kids, your partner, yourself or your friends, remember that a celebration of human love has almost always been around and one of the best days to bask in it is on Valentine's Day.
USA Today
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate the power of love by watching these magical proposals
Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate the power of love by watching these magical proposals Show Caption Hide Caption This Valentine's Day, celebrate love by watching these sweet proposals To celebrate Valentine's Day, watch what these romantics did to pull off the perfect marriage proposal. Love stories are in full bloom this Valentine's Day! On February 14, millions of people worldwide are celebrating love through heartfelt gestures, from penning sweet notes to picking out the perfect bouquet. Valentine's Day has evolved far beyond its origins as a Christian feast day honoring Saint Valentine. Today, it's a global celebration that crosses cultural boundaries and brings people together in countless ways. From grand romantic gestures to small thoughtful gifts, Valentine's Day offers endless possibilities for people to express affection. Whether you are planning a proposal, celebrating with friends, or treating yourself with a day of self-care, February 14 is the perfect time to embrace love in all its forms. Get ready to feel love! Click on the video below to watch these five unforgettable proposals that showcase romance at its finest. It may even inspire your own Valentine's Day plans! Humankind is your go-to spot for good news! Click here to submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also, click here to subscribe to our newsletter bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox.
USA Today
12-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
How much should you budget for Valentine's Day? Gen Z plans to the spend most.
How much should you budget for Valentine's Day? Gen Z plans to the spend most. Show Caption Hide Caption Watch now: Last-minute Valentine's Day gifts on Good Day NY Get same-day flower delivery and create a bae basket with Valentine's Day gift ideas from USA TODAY Shopping. See all these products on our Amazon live shopping event Feb. 11. Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance, love, Saint Valentine - and gifts. Americans in relationships plan to spend an average of $155 on Valentine's Day this year and Gen Z leads the pack, budgeting $235 for the holiday, with one in 10 admitting to overspending, a CouponFollow survey found. Men are twice as likely to feel financial pressure surrounding Valentine's Day as women, and women expect their partners to spend 25% more on the holiday than men, the survey found. However, respondents reported the gifts they most desire are those that are sentimental, not expensive. Clay Cary, a senior trends analyst for CouponFollow who helped design the survey said that people in their 20s spending the most on Valentine's Day was the most surprising finding. "It seems the younger you are, if you're in a relationship, the more pressure there is to make it memorable," Cary told USA TODAY. "Whether that's through spending a lot of money or through some handmade gift that took you hours." More: Shop Valentine's Day gifts: Last-minute deals you can order in time from Amazon How much do Americans spend on Valentine's Day? The survey found the average amounts people plan to spend on Feb. 14 vary widely by generation, with younger Americans planning to go all out for the romantic holiday this year in comparison to older people in relationships. Baby Boomers, age 61 to 79, and Gen Xers, age 45 to 60 are budgeting the least for the holiday, planning to spend $53 and $95 respectively. Millennials, age 28 to 44, plan to spend a significant amount more, budgeting $176. Adult members of Gen Z, or people age 18 to 29, plan to spend the most at $235. "That's the cohort most likely to be dating so maybe they feel more pressure versus people that are married," Cary said. Single respondents estimated they will save an average of $110 by skipping Valentine's Day this year. Most will use the money they would have spent on the holiday on daily expenses and bills or redirect it to their savings, the survey found. Best and worst Valentine's Day gifts Survey respondents reported the most desired Valentine's Day gifts are: Sentimental gifts such as handmade cards and personal experiences, with 38% saying they would like to receive those. Classic Valentine's Day gifts including chocolates and flowers, with 22% reporting that's what they'd prefer. Practical gifts, with 18% saying they would like to receive them. No gifts, with 14% reporting they wouldn't mind forgoing the present exchange altogether. Luxury gifts such as designer jewelry or clothes, with 9% saying they would like to get that type of present. Survey participants also reported their Valentine's Day deal breakers. They are: Clearly re-gifted gifts, with 25% labeling them a no go. No gifts due to forgetting Valentine's Day, which would upset 25% of respondents. Gag gifts, with 16% considering them a deal breaker. Generic gifts, which would bother 8% of participants. Gifts without monetary or sentimental value, which would be a deal breaker for 5% of respondents. Still looking for a Valentine's Day gift? USA TODAY has you covered with our favorite last-minute Valentine's Day gift ideas. Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@ and follow her on X @rachelbarber_
