Día de San Valentín - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Origin: The origin of Valentine's Day can be traced back to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February to celebrate fertility. Over time, the holiday evolved into a day to honor St. Valentine, a Christian martyr who was executed on February 14th.
- 2. Patron Saint: St. Valentine is often associated with love and romance because he is believed to have secretly married couples against the Emperor Claudius II's orders, who had banned marriage to keep soldiers focused on war.
- 3. Symbols: The most common symbols associated with Valentine's Day are hearts, Cupid, doves, and roses. These symbols represent love, desire, and passion.
- 4. Greeting Cards: Valentine's Day is the second largest card-sending holiday after Christmas. It is estimated that over 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year.
- 5. Gifts: Popular gifts given on Valentine's Day include flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and romantic dinners. Some people also choose to give handmade gifts or personalized items to show their love and appreciation.
- 6. Celebrations: Many people celebrate Valentine's Day by spending time with their loved ones, exchanging gifts, and going out for a romantic dinner. Some couples also choose to get engaged or married on this special day.
- 7. Singles Awareness Day: For those who are not in a romantic relationship, Valentine's Day can be a challenging time. Some people choose to celebrate Singles Awareness Day instead, focusing on self-love and appreciation.
- 8. International Celebrations: While Valentine's Day is widely celebrated in the United States and other Western countries, it is also observed in various forms in other parts of the world. In Japan, for example, women are expected to give gifts to men on Valentine's Day, while men reciprocate on White Day one month later.
- 9. Anti-Valentine's Day: Some people choose to boycott Valentine's Day altogether, viewing it as a commercialized holiday that puts unnecessary pressure on couples. They may celebrate Anti-Valentine's Day instead, focusing on friendship and self-care.
- 10. Acts of Kindness: In recent years, there has been a trend towards celebrating Valentine's Day as a day of spreading love and kindness to others, not just romantic partners. Random acts of kindness, volunteering, and donating to charity are all ways to show love on this special day.