happy
valentines day
 
February 14
click on picture
Below to View Or email
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
valentine's
day
|
i s t o r y
|
Valentine's Day is one of the most
popular holidays, probably because its theme applies to people the world
over. Anyone affected by love has a reason to celebrate on this date!
The holiday most likely originated from the Roman celebration of
Lupercalia, an annual rite of passage festival for young men. The names
of young women were placed in a box and randomly selected by the youths.
The two would be partners for the length of a year, when another lottery
would be held. This ritual was established around the 4th
century B.C.E. and lasted at least for several centuries before it was
stripped of its pagan characteristics and a commemoration of lovers
through the exchange of heartfelt notes gradually emerged in its place.
During his rule, the Roman Emperor Claudius II issued an edict that
banned marriage, because he believed that the demands of a family
compromised a soldier's dedication and motivation. The contemporary
celebration takes its name from church legend, according to which a
priest by the name of Valentine conducted secret marriage ceremonies to
join illicit lovers. He was promptly arrested and put to death on
February 14, 269 or 270 C.E. While imprisoned, the priest inexplicably
restored the sight of the prison guard's daughter, and left a parting
note for her signed "from your Valentine" prior to his
execution, hence the term for the messages of love given on this day.
St. Valentine's identity remains questionable due to conflicting
biographical information, but the essence of St. Valentine's Day as an
observance of love is undisputed.
|
r a d i t i o n s
|
The practices commonly associated
with Valentine's Day can also be ascribed to the medieval belief popular
in Great Britain and France that birds pick their partners on February
14th. Formal Valentines began to be circulated in
approximately the 14th or 15th centuries in those
countries, and the first commercially printed cards most likely appeared
in the 18th century. Those Valentines were delicate crafts made out of
paper, decorated with ribbons and lace, depicting birds and other
natural symbols. Write a love story or poem for your Valentine, and win
her or his heart. Give the person you love the gift of your time, after
all that is what they really want! Work on communicating how you feel
every day and sharing your love openly whether with cute gifts, writing
sweet notes, leaving special treats in your beloved's path, or just
calling one another more often. Be attentive to your partner's needs and
get in touch with your romantic side – you might even enjoy it! If you
are still looking, use Valentine's Day as a chance to flirt, open up,
and possibly find who you're looking for. For instance, you can carry
some candies with flirtatious messages with you, and use them as an
icebreaker with those around you in any situation.
Another prominent symbol of this
holiday is the god of love, Cupid as he was known by the Romans. A myth
about his own adventures in love is a great story to tell in honor of
the occasion. Psyche was an unparalleled beauty, and attracted suitors
that lavished her with gifts and attentions usually reserved for the
gods. She began to draw attention away from Venus, and the goddess
became incensed. Turning to Cupid, her powerful son, she explained about
Psyche and instructed him to make her fall in love with the most hideous
creature in the universe. Instead, Cupid himself became deeply enamored
of the gorgeous woman, becoming her lover and husband unbeknownst to
Venus, on the condition that Psyche would never set eyes on him. Coerced
by her two sisters, who were overcome with jealousy at her riches,
happiness, and divine spouse, Psyche decided to defy her husband's
demand and got a glimpse of him while he slept. He woke and left with
the words, "Love cannot live without trust." Psyche was
devastated, but decided to prove her devotion by approaching Venus, and
throwing herself on the goddess' mercy. Venus was deeply angered by news
of Psyche's and Cupid's marriage but accepted Psyche's services as a
servant and put her through a series of perilous trials as a result of
which Cupid, who had meanwhile decided to forgive Psyche, intervened.
This love story concludes with Cupid and Psyche, or love and the soul,
united by love, and the marriage made official by the council of the
gods.
see
some great cards to send for this holiday
|
|
