Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. It may have had beginnings in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the coming of spring and included fertility rites and other activities, but the origin of the holiday is vague at best. Today, Tu B'Av is celebrated as a second holiday of love by secular people (along with Valentine's Day), and it shares many of the customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day in Western societies. In modern Israeli culture Tu B'Av is a popular day to proclaim love, propose marriage, and give gifts like cards or flowers. [136] In this article, we take a look at the various historical and cultural influences that have shaped Valentine’s Day. From the mysterious figure of Saint Valentine and the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia to the medieval traditions of courtly love and the commercialization of the holiday in the modern era, we explore how February 14th became the day to celebrate love. Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated every February 14; this year Valentine's Day falls on a Friday. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts Chocolate gifting became a Valentine’s Day staple thanks to Richard Cadbury’s invention of the heart-shaped chocolate box in the 1800s. Today, chocolates are one of the top gifts exchanged on Valentine’s Day, with everything from fancy truffles to giant chocolate bars making their way into hearts and hands. The History of Valentine's Day, and Why We Celebrate. Valentine’s Day may be associated with romance, but the history of the holiday isn’t exactly lovey-dovey. Here are the facts you may not know—plus, fun ideas for Valentine's Day 2025. VALENTINE'S DAY. Valentine’s Day began as St. Valentine’s Day, a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. February 14th first became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages as the tradition of courtly love was then flourishing. Valentine’s Traditions. Today, many different traditions are associated with Valentine’s Day celebrations. The holiday is widely celebrated in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Spain, and continues to spread with and certain nearly-universal traditions. Valentine’s Day Cards The chubby baby with wings and a bow and arrow that we call Cupid has been associated with Valentine’s Day for centuries. However, before he was renamed Cupid, he was known to the ancient Greeks Valentine's Day has typically been associated with romantic love and partnership. Interestingly enough, according to a Today show survey that polled 1,500 people, Valentine’s Day is for lovers — but you don’t need a romantic soulmate to celebrate. The holiday is a chance to consider just how rich, diverse and beneficial every form of love is in the human experience, whether it comes from your family, friends, pets, neighbors or community. Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, and the rest is this history. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. St. Valentine, a name that is synonymous with love and romance across the globe, lived at a time when the Roman Empire was at its zenith. He is often best remembered for the act of marrying couples in secret defiance of the Roman Emperor's bans. However, the truth about St. Valentine is far more complex, woven from a mixture of historical fragments, religious tradition, and folklore. This has Valentine’s Day is a massive holiday celebrated on February 14 in the US as well as other places in the world. People commemorate the day by exchanging flowers, greeting cards, chocolates and other gifts with their loved ones. Valentine’s Day is for lovers — but you don’t need a romantic soulmate to celebrate The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical The Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is probably one of the sweetest birds ever. To attract a mate, the bird will force air into the patch of red skin on its throat, called the gular sac, so that it in 20 minutes it is fully inflated into a heart-shaped balloon. Valentine's Day has typically been associated with romantic love and partnership. Interestingly enough, according to a Today show survey that polled 1,500 people, Catholic Traditions on Valentine’s Day. Catholic traditions on Valentine’s Day may include beginning the day with a morning Mass, a special church service, where church goers reflect on the theme of love and thank God for the people they care about. Catholics also take time to say prayers for their loved ones, asking for blessings and Roses in general are a symbol of Valentine’s Day, but red roses are most often associated with Valentine’s Day because of their meaning. Red roses are a symbol of romantic love on Valentine’s Day. But its ancient background may help shed some light on why contemporary Valentine’s Day celebrations are intimately connected with red, white, and pink colors. Red, White, and Pink: The Colors of Valentine’s Day. Most of us have seen these three colors associated with Valentine’s Day for so long that we just take their association for
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |