It is believed that Valentine's Day has been around more than 16 centuries, but Love holidays known to still earlier times - from the times of ancient pagan cultures. For example, in mid-February the Romans celebrated the festival of eroticism, called of Lupercalia, in honor of the goddess of love Juno Februata.
At the festival there is a specific "culprit" - Christian priest Valentine. The story dates back to around the year 269, at the time of the Roman Empire rules the Emperor Claudius II. A belligerent Roman army was experiencing an acute shortage of soldiers for military campaigns, and the captain was convinced that the main enemy of his "Napoleonic" plans - marriage, for married footballer of the glory of the empire thinks much less than that, as a family to feed. And, in order to keep his soldiers in military spirit, the emperor issued a decree banning the legionaries to marry.
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But falling in love-the soldiers of this does not become less. And their happiness was a man who, not fearing the wrath of the emperor, began to secretly marry foreign players with their loved ones. He was a priest named Valentine of the Roman city of Terni (Valentine of Terni). Apparently, he was a true romantic, as his favorite entertainments was to reconcile quarreling, helping to write love letters and give the request of Legionnaires flowers objects of their passion.
Clearly, as soon as it learned emperor, he decided his "criminal activity" to stop. Valentine was sentenced to death. The tragedy of the situation was still in the fact that Valentine himself was in love with the jailer's daughter. The day before the execution of the priest wrote a farewell letter to the girl, where he spoke of his love and signed it "Your Valentine." Read it was already after he was executed.
Subsequently, as a Christian martyr who suffered for their faith, Valentine was canonized by the Catholic Church. And in the year 496 the Pope Gelasius (Pope Gelasius I) announced on February 14 Valentine's Day.
Since 1969, as a result of the reform of worship St. Valentine was removed from the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church (along with the other Roman saints, details of life which are contradictory and unreliable). However, and until 1969, the church does not endorse or support the traditions of the celebration of this day.
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| On Valentine's Day, decided to give each other gifts and "Valentine" (Photo: Lu Mikhaylova, Shutterstock) |
So whether it was anyway, but, apparently, it is the custom to write out on Valentine's Day love notes - "Valentine". And in this celebration like to arrange a wedding and get married. It is believed that it will be a pledge of eternal love.
In Western Europe, Valentine's Day has become widely celebrated since the 13th century, in the United States - since 1777.
The tradition to give gifts on this day grew stronger every year, and some became quite a successful business. For example, at the beginning of last century, Americans have been taken to send their brides marzipan, which were quite expensive.
In Japan, the tradition of giving on this day there was a sweet feed from one large company for the production of chocolate. They began to celebrate Valentine's Day in 30 years, and still remains the most popular chocolate gift. By the way, there's Valentine's Day is slightly reminiscent of "March 8 for men", as the Japanese men get, perhaps, even more gifts than women: men's razor-type accessories, lotion, wallet and so on.
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| And in this celebration like to arrange a wedding and get married (Photo: S.Dashkevych, Shutterstock) |
In a passionate French as Valentine's Day, it decided to give jewels, and in romantic Denmark people send each other dried white flowers.
In Britain, unmarried girls get up on February 14 before sunrise, get near the window and look at the passing men. According to legend, the first man they see, and there betrothed.
But there is in the world, some countries which are particularly distinguished themselves in the celebration of Valentine's Day. The first is Saudi Arabia , which is the only country in the world where this holiday ... is officially forbidden, and, under penalty of heavy fines.
And in Russia was the holiday of lovers, that's just it is not celebrated in the winter and early summer. He was associated with the legendary love story of Peter and Fevronia and dedicated Kupala - Slavic pagan god Perun son.
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