As it’s Valentine’s Day today, we thought it would be fun to put together 14 Valentine’s Day facts, some of which you may not have known.
1. Origins in Ancient Rome:
Valentine's Day has roots in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held around 13th to 15thFebruary. It was later adapted to honour St. Valentine by the Christian church.
2. Multiple Saint Valentines:
There are actually several martyred saints named Valentine. The most famous story involves a priest who performed secret weddings during a time when marriages were forbidden by the Roman Emperor Claudius II.
3. Valentine’s Day Cards Started in the UK:
The UK played a significant role in popularising Valentine's cards. The oldest surviving Valentine’s card, from the early 19th century, is British and part of the collection at York Castle Museum.
4. Sending Anonymous Cards:
A unique British tradition involves sending Valentine's cards anonymously. It's common for the sender to leave hints about their identity, but the recipient must guess who sent it!
5. Cupid’s Origins:
Cupid, the iconic symbol of Valentine's Day, is derived from the Roman god of love, who is also associated with Eros, the Greek god of passion and desire.
6. Love Knots:
In Victorian times, people in the UK would craft "love knots" from ribbon and paper, symbolizing everlasting love. These were often exchanged as tokens of affection.
7. Jack Valentine:
In Norfolk, England, there’s a local tradition featuring "Jack Valentine," a mysterious figure who knocks on doors and leaves gifts for children. This quirky custom adds a playful twist to Valentine's Day.
8. Valentine's Day in Numbers:
Every year, around 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged, making it the second-largest card-sending holiday after Christmas.
9. The Valentine’s Day Dinner:
Valentine's Day meals out are a popular tradition in the UK, with couples booking restaurants for romantic dinners. Many restaurants create special menus just for the occasion.
10. Pets Get Some Love Too:
In recent years, people have increasingly celebrated Valentine's Day by buying gifts for their pets.
11. Welsh "Love Spoons":
Although not part of the UK’s general Valentine’s Day tradition, Wales has its own unique custom of giving carved wooden "love spoons" to sweethearts. This tradition dates back to the 17th century.
12. Declaring Love on Social Media:
Over recent years, the trend of posting Valentine's Day messages on social media has surged in the UK, with many people using the day to publicly express love to partners, friends, and even pets!
13. Florists' Busy Day:
Around 25 million roses are sold each year in the UK on Valentine's Day, making florists extremely busy as couples seek the perfect bouquet for their loved ones.
14. The First Box of Chocolates:
Richard Cadbury, from the famous chocolate-making family, is credited with creating the first box of Valentine's chocolates in the late 1800s.
