Image: colourbox.com
The Day of Lovers, celebrated on February 14, dates back to Saint Valentine. But much is uncertain about this saint. There are several saints named Valentine that Valentine’s Day could be traced back to. However, it is not entirely clear whether the different stories lead back to just one person.
The custom of giving flowers could therefore go back to Bishop Valentin von Terni. Other traditions also speak of Saint Valentine of Rome. Despite the imperial ban, he is said to have married couples in a Christian way – which is why he was beheaded around the year 268. At the wedding ceremony, the bishop, also known as the patron saint of lovers, is said to have given the couple flowers from his garden.
Another theory as to why lovers give each other flowers or other gifts on Valentine’s Day goes back to ancient Rome. There, February 14 was the memorial day for Juno, goddess of childbirth, marriage and care. On this occasion, the altars of the goddess were decorated and women were given flowers.
No more church holidays
The ecclesiastical commemoration of Saint Valentine has been celebrated since the year 350 AD. In 1969, however, the day was removed from the General Roman Calendar. In addition to the Christmas and Easter celebrations, this calendar also records numerous commemoration days of saints that are important for the entire church. Nevertheless, services for lovers are also celebrated on Valentine’s Day, as is the case in many parishes in Upper Austria.
Evidence of Valentine’s greetings first appeared in the 14th century, when February 14 became “Lovers’ Day” in England and France. In Austria, the custom of giving gifts on Valentine’s Day became popular after the Second World War. Today, florists make record sales on February 14 – flowers are the most popular gifts before chocolate and sweets. This is the result of the “Consumer Check” study by the trade association and Mindtake.
Just giving away flowers can also go wrong. Because not all flowers are the same – yellow roses, for example, should be avoided on Valentine’s Day, because they stand for waning love and doubts. You can see which flowers should be avoided and which are harmless in the gallery:
Source: Nachrichten
