It's Valentine's Day Again!

What does Valentine's Day mean to you? It is hard to be indifferent to this anniversary which seems to come around with surprising speed. No sooner have social arrangements for Christmas and the New Year been negotiated, than the fourteenth of February is upon us once more.

Perhaps you are able to scoff at the site of a pair of chocolate bears kissing each other, and the other items covered with red hearts which fill the windows of the shops. Or do you look longingly at the sexy nighties and underwear which are also on display? So many of these items for sale are a far cry from the single red rose heralding the simple message ‘I love you' or even the unsigned card, which may drop through your letterbox, but leaves you guessing who the secret admirer is.

Many legends and myths surround the celebration of this day. Most agree that it is named after St Valentine who contrary to all decrees forbidding marriage, carried out secret weddings for young lovers. He was put to death and became a martyr for refusing to stop marrying couples, and the day he died, 14th February 269 AD, became a day for remembering him. And so he became the patron saint of lovers.

Here in the UK this day has been celebrated since the seventeenth century. There were several ways for the young men and women to show interest in each other. One way was for all the eligible bachelors and spinsters to put their names in a bowl, and as each of them drew out a name it had to be worn on the sleeve for a week for all to see. Could this be the origin of wearing your heart on your sleeve?

It became the custom for small tokens to be exchanged signalling love and affection, and in the nineteenth century elaborate printed cards began to replace handmade notes. It seems odd that such a private matter, falling in love, should become so public today through the Valentine messages published in many daily newspapers. Lovers ‘secret' words and language are there for all to read. That ‘ Piglet loves Pooh' and ‘Pixie's heart bleeds for her little Elf' are probably sentiments best confined to the bedroom.

According to statistics 85% of all valentine cards are bought by women. Oh, dear! Does this mean there are a lot of women who are disappointed every 14th February when the postman passes by? Even our sisters who scorn the whole idea as ‘commercial' or ‘twee' can suddenly find themselves pressing that special flower, or find that ‘somehow' they have kept that empty chocolate box. And who knows, these may become the keepsakes of tomorrow. It all depends who the gift is from. Perhaps there is an answer with the Internet, though. At the touch of finger a Valentine can be sent to your love with the speed of light.

Remember, there is an old superstition that if you see a robin on St. Valentine's Day you will marry a sailor. If you see a sparrow, you will marry a poor man. If you see a goldfinch, you will marry a millionaire. So beware where you look!

We all like to be loved, and after all, Valentine's Day is about love and sometimes it is great for this to be shown in a symbolic way. It's the time of the year for a little romance in the air, and who can quarrel with that?

© Jill Curtis 2005

For more about St Valentine's Day click here