History Of Valentine's Day

"For this was on seynt Volantynys day

"For this was on seynt Volantynys day

Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make." ~ Geoffrey Chaucer

(For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.)

Valentine's Day is a joyous festival which stands for the romantic love or in the Victorian language the "Courtly love". Every year on 14th of February this festival is celebrated worldwide with lots of zeal and jest. The festival is intended to commemorate the martyrdom of St Valentine, a Christian Saint. Though gradually the religious observance of this festival has faded away, today it has become a global phenomenon which is celebrated by people of all ages and races across the globe. This wide popularity of this festival invokes people's interest in knowing the history of Valentine's Day. How did it evolve over the ages?

Albeit a number of myths and legends are attached with this most popular festival, the legend regarding Saint Valentine is well-known. The soul-stirring story of the heroicness and romanticism of St. Valentine has won many a hearts with its affectionate notes.

It is widely believed that world observes the Valentine's Day celebration in the mid-February to commemorate the anniversary of St. Valentine's death. For the rest, the reason behind is that the Christian church surmised to celebrate the Valentine festival in the mid-February just to Christianize the ancient, pre-Roman Luprecalia commemoration.

Around the 17th century, the Valentine's Day celebration started gaining popularity in Great Britain. During the middle ages, a poem by famous writer Geoffrey Chaucer first associated Valentine's day with love and romance. A mention of two love birds was there in the poem signifying the engagement of the King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia, his bride to be. This romantic idea was well received by all and so, it became a trend to exchange small token of love or love notes between couples on this special day. All this happened by the 17th century. During 18th century love greeting cards came in vogue and became hugely popular. Lately traders started exclusive Valentine special offers for the men to gift their beloveds and this trends is still continuing.

Till now, the most celebrated and most popular festival on this earth, this day of love observes worldwide celebration. Nowadays, gift has become synonymous with Valentine's day celebration. For ages, this day has been giving chances to all the love-struck hearts to come out and celebrate this day together with their romantic partners. Probably this is the best way to pay tribute to the Christian Saint Valentine, the messenger of romantic love.

by: Nikhil Poddar

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