11 Facts About Valentine's Day: Explore The Less Known

Happy Valentine's Day (Credit: Pixabay)

Although Valentine's Day is frequently marked with declarations of love, flowers, and chocolates, there is a rich and intriguing history behind the heart-shaped cards and romantic dinners. Even while the current celebration of love is well known worldwide, most people are unaware of its surprising beginnings and customs. There is much more to modern culture than first meets the eye, from peculiar Japanese practices to ancient Roman fertility rites. Come learn 11 lesser-known Valentine's Day facts if you are interested in the deeper meaning of February 14ᵗʰ.

1. Origins in Ancient Rome: It may surprise you to learn that Valentine's Day was not always connected to romance. Its roots are found in ancient Rome, more especially in a mid-February celebration known as Lupercalia where matchmaking was the main focus of this festival, which was held in honor of the Roman fertility god Faunus. A lottery was used to pair men and women during Lupercalia, and some people even thought that this pairing may result in marriage. In addition to its love connotations, the ceremony was meant to bring fertility and prosperity in the upcoming year.

2. February 14ᵗʰ Was Not Always Valentine’s Day: February 14ᵗʰ was not traditionally thought of as a day to celebrate love. The renowned English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was partly responsible for the day's widespread association with romance in the 14ᵗʰ century where he popularized the idea of a day for lovers with his work Parliament of Foules (1382), which describes the mating of birds on Valentine's Day. Actually, February 14ᵗʰ was only the Feast of Saint Valentine, a Christian feast celebrating a priest who was martyred, prior to this relationship.

3. The First Valentine’s Card: When Charles, Duke of Orléans, was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415, he sent the first Valentine's card to his wife, starting the custom of sending Valentine's cards with the British Museum currently holding the letter, which was written in verse. A long-standing custom of sending romantic, heartfelt cards to loved ones on Valentine's Day began with this beautiful interaction.

4. The Heart Symbol is Not Always Romantic: The image of a heart is a common representation of Valentine's Day but did you know, that the heart symbol was not initially connected to love???.....The human spirit or emotions, not romance, were symbolized by the heart sign in the beginning. The idea that the heart is associated with love probably began to gain traction in the Middle Ages, but it was not until much later that the association with Valentine's Day became firmly established.

5. Chocolate Was Not Always a Valentine's Day Tradition: Valentine's Day and chocolate go hand in hand, but things were not always this way. When Richard Cadbury, the creator of the renowned British chocolate company, started selling chocolates in heart-shaped boxes in the 19ᵗʰ century, the two became connected. Prior to that time, Valentine's Day was not really connected with chocolate but it is still one of the most popular gifts given today, and every year when couples exchange sweets, Cadbury's contribution is honored.

6. Valentine’s Day Massacre: Despite its reputation for love and happiness, Valentine's Day has a darker past whereby the notorious St. Valentine's Day Massacre occurred in 1929 in Chicago, where seven members of a rival gang were brutally slain. The massacre solidified Valentine's Day's place in American criminal history, despite having little to do with the romantic festivities of the event acting as an important reminder of how the day's name can occasionally presume a scary, unromantic meaning.

7. The "Sweetheart" Candy Origins: Daniel Chase, the brother of the Necco wafer company's founder, was the first to design the famous "Sweetheart" candies with clever slogans like "Be Mine" and "Love You" in the 1860s where these small, vibrant candies became a common Valentine's Day gift. Originally, they were sold by the box and featured brief words printed on them. These sweets are a cherished custom today, and their meanings keep changing with the times.

8. A Day For Friends in Finland: In Finland, Valentine's Day is a celebration of friendship as much as romantic love. February 14ᵗʰ, also known as Ystävänpäivä (Friend's Day), is a day to celebrate those you care about, whether they are close friends or romantic partners and when compared to their Western counterparts, Finns celebrate in a more inclusive way by exchanging cards and small gifts to express gratitude for the relationships they have with their friends rather than romantic dinners.

9. Japan's Valentine's Tradition: Japan has a unique take on the Valentine's Day customs in the sense that whether they are acquaintances, coworkers, or love partners, women usually offer chocolates to men on February 14ᵗʰ then a month later, on White Day, which is observed on March 14ᵗʰ, males give gifts in return, creating an intriguing dynamic. This custom is known as giri-choco (obligation chocolate) and honmei-choco (true love chocolate). In Japan, this two-tiered strategy has come to define Valentine's Day.

10. The Most Popular Day to Propose: In addition to being a day for showing love, Valentine's Day is also one of the most common occasions for engagements. In reality, February 14ᵗʰ accounts for about 10% of all yearly engagements where many couples decide to honor this day of love by moving further in their relationship, whether it is through a more private setting or a surprise proposal with a breathtaking view, thus, Valentine's Day is a memorable day for couples all around the world because of its relationship with proposals.

11. Not a Public Holiday: Valentine's Day is not a public holiday in the majority of nations, including the United States of America, despite being widely observed worldwide. Businesses stay open and people go about their daily lives as usual, unlike on holidays like Christmas or New Year's. For people who choose to take the day off to celebrate, this can be both a gift and a hindrance but millions of people nevertheless continue to celebrate this day of love and affection despite the fact that it is not a public holiday.

Summary: A Day Filled With History, Surprises, and Love

Valentine's Day is much more than a day for couples to give each other presents. It is a day rich with customs, history, and occasionally even a little mystery. This holiday encompasses much more than what we usually see in stores and commercials, from its roots in ancient Roman festivities to its peculiar customs around the globe. We can more clearly understand the occasion and develop a respect for the various ways that individuals show love by knowing about its interesting history.

Valentine's Day is an opportunity to honor love in all of its manifestations, whether you are spending the day with your significant other, friends, or taking some well-earned time for yourself not forgetting that knowing more about its past may help you appreciate the heart-shaped chocolates, heartfelt messages, and bright red flowers with a greater understanding of the day's unique history. Happy Valentine's Day.....