The origins of Valentines Day
The origins of sharing your feelings on Valentines Day (14th February) have many roots through ancient times. It was seen as a time when lovers express their affection with gifts. Valentines Day has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century. During the middle ages- in France and England- mid February was thought to be the middle of bird’s mating season- also adding to the theme of romance.
Now the exchange of flowers, gifts and cards had become a £1 billion event from figures in 2019. With the majority of those receiving a gift- receiving flowers, and a close second in popularity was jewellery.
So with Valentines 2020 is on the very near horizon. And it is a special one this year- as it is a leap year…. If you didn’t realise what makes a leap year so special- then look out for your female partner getting down on one knee… as in a centuries-old custom, ladies are traditionally given the opportunity to boldly, and legally, propose marriage — throughout the year. Considering the restrictions on women’s freedoms in the past, the privilege to declare their love was quite astonishing.
And why the devil not? After all we would be following in some great foot steps — Monica in Friends proposed to Chandler? Jennifer Hudson did it too…. Elizabeth Taylor… Halle Berry….. Queen Elizabeth too………….. so buck the trend ladies… wear your heart on your sleeve this Valentines.
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