What is Valentine's Day? Greetings with Valentine's Day. Valentine's day - the history of the holiday

Of Course, for anybody not a secret that this Valentine's Day? The air is filled with love, and people recognized the feelings. You do not even have to utter the words, it is possible to tell an eloquent look, and you will surely understand. Romance, flowers, gifts, chocolates in the shape of hearts and burning, loving eyes... And you know where and when we come to Valentine's Day?

History celebration

This holiday has existed for a very long time – more than 1500 years. So, February 14 is Valentine's Day in Europe began to note somewhere in the XIII century. America joined the celebrations in 1777. The people in the countries of the former Soviet Union discovered the Valentine's Day only in the early 90s.

So, whose is this holiday and why is it so called?

The story begins in the year 269 in the Roman Empire. Then the state ran a harsh Emperor Claudius II. A main goal of the Empire was the conquest of the land. Emperor-military commander faced with the problem of a shortage of soldiers in the army for military campaigns. And Claudius II found this explanation – marriage. The Emperor came to the conclusion that the legions, which at home waiting for his wife and children, less interested in the victories of the Motherland. Where to think about the gains when you need to take care of the sustenance of the family. And Claudius II found wonderful as he thought, a solution: he issued a decree forbidding marriage. Thus he tried to maintain the soldiers ' morale.

However, the ban on family creation could not prevent the men fall in love. And fortunately of legionaries in the Empire were the person who supported them. It was a Christian priest of Terni – Valentine. Despite the strict prohibition of the Emperor, he secretly held in his Church ceremonies weddings legionaries with their lovers. Perhaps Valentine was a true romantic, as it not only connected people in matrimony, but also strongly assisted loving: helped to write the tender messages and gave flowers on behalf of foreign players to the objects of their passion.

Of Course, all came out and became known to the Emperor. And as in the Roman Empire, law was above all, the activity of the priest was abruptly interrupted. Valentine was put in jail. And soon the Emperor signed the decree about the execution of the priest.

The Last days of Valentines, which he spent incarcerated in a prison, shrouded in an aura of romance. They say that it was in love with the daughter of the chief of the guard. However, Valentin, celibate, respond to her feelings could not. The last night before hanging on 13 February he sent her a letter in which he told about his feelings. The girl read the message only after the execution of her lover.

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The Valentines

Valentine's Day is named after him. Of course, there is no evidence that everything was exactly as described above. Because no material evidence has not been preserved. But it is obvious that the young Christian priest died in the name of love. And in his short life he was given so much of this feeling: love for a beautiful woman to God, to the people he helped. It was a wonderful person with a huge heart, who sought to do good. It is not surprising that Valentine's day is named after him.

Later, the Catholic Church considered Valentine a Christian Martyr, who died for the faith, and was recognized as a Saint. And in 496 year Pope Gelasius I declared that February 14 – Valentines Day.

However, the reform of the Liturgy in 1969 St. Valentine was removed from the Catholic liturgical Church calendar. Did the same thing with some other saints, the life which was not reliable information. However, until that time, the Church without approval belonged to the celebration of this day.

Triumph of love

Valentine's Day-the holiday that exists more than 16 centuries. However, since the 18th century and much earlier known to a wide variety of national celebrations of love.

There is a version that the first was the Roman festival of the Lupercalia eroticism. It was held in honor of the goddess of Februata, which was the symbol of "febrile” love. The purpose of this celebration was to find his second half. So at the end created a lot of new marriages.

The day before the feast of the Lupercalia, held February 15, marked the celebration of the Roman goddess of motherhood, marriage, and women – Juno. On this day, all unmarried girls had to write a love letter and put it in a large urn. And men – pull the letter. It was believed that every man had to take care of that beauty whose passionate and passionate message he got.

In Ancient Greece the festival was called Panurgy. It was a festival in honor of the God pan, who was considered the patron of flocks, fields and fertility. Pan was depicted as a small jovial, playing the flute, chasing lovely nymphs with his love.

All of the above – the pagan contribution to Valentine's Day. Whose feast was the basis to determine not possible. Most likely, the pagan traditions of different peoples are reflected in the modern celebration.

Valentine

At the end of XVII century English court chronicler recorded that Valentine's Day – a celebration during which lovers can sharepassionate notes, to give each other all sorts of gifts, such as rings, candy, gloves, cakes etc But there was an important condition: all gifts - in the shape of a heart. Whether so it was actually unknown, but most likely, there went a tradition to send a special message – Valentines.

Today, this word refers to love letters in the form of hearts. Valentine cannot be signed. The recipient himself must guess who it's from.

On Valentine's Day people want to show their feelings and affection to your soul mate. They give roses, symbolizing love, send cute postcards, make an offer. A celebration of love worldwide. But each country has its own traditions of Valentine's Day.

Holiday in France and Italy

On 14 February and the French, and the Italians traditionally give flowers and gifts. The difference is, perhaps, in the choice of the latter.

In France, the best gifts for Valentine's Day are jewelry. In an extreme case, fit and jewelry. The French first came up with the original and popular all over the world greetings Valentine's Day – rhymed quatrains. France – the country of love. And its residents to justify such a name. February 14 – an abundance of flowers, gifts, pink and declarations of love.

Italian feast – it's a sweet day. Traditionally, it is customary to arrange for their favorite sweet treat. So in the course are cakes, candies, chocolate, yogurt and other Goodies.

Love and Germany

What is Valentine's Day in Germany? You will be surprised. On February 14 the Germans – it is a celebration of the mentally ill.

On this day across the country, services are held where people can pray for the health of mentally ill loved ones, and for the repose of the soul of Valentine. The nurses decorated chambers and corridors of mental hospitals with scarlet ribbons. So, if you see this day a beautifully decorated building, this is “psychiatric hospital”.

But in recent years the German youth seek to emulate the rest of the world. And let informally, but still celebrates the holiday of love. In Germany, the traditional European symbols of the celebration, and added another pig. In the course are all kinds of statues in the form of this animal, chocolates, soft toys and more.

Celebrations in the United States and Canada

The Tradition of Valentine's Day in America is mostly similar to European. But still the main gift for a loved on this day are red roses. Statistics showed that in the United States 14 February sold 20 000 roses per minute. And on the day sold more than a million of these beautiful flowers!

Children are also happy on Valentine's Day. The history of the holiday – a scenario all school productions and plays. Kids dress up as angels and spread the Valentines addressed to classmates and teachers. Incidentally, in the U.S. in this day it takes a lot of weddings. Especially popular is the famous city of Las Vegas, located in Nevada.

In Canada on February 14 the girl can make her beloved man offer. And if he decides to give up, he was waiting for sanctions: from fines to prison! This does not apply to those representatives of the stronger sex that your mate has been found. But if a person is free to refuse in love with the lady, he lifted the “prison”.

Celebration of love in Britain

These English gentlemen to give their ladies roses. And certainly al. And women who have not yet found your beloved, prefer to practice divination. It is believed that if the morning of February 14 to stand near the window and look at the empty street, the first passer-by, which will appear on the horizon, will be similar to the future husband. If the girl has time to call him, he could even become one.

The British are famous for their quirks. They congratulate not only their mate, but and Pets. Special love are horses and dogs. 14 Feb in pet stores you can buy feed in the form of hearts, to please their Pets.

Day of love in Japan

This holiday in Japan is somewhat similar to our day on 23 February. Japanese men on this day get a lot more gifts than women. Girls give their sweethearts wallets, razors and the obligatory chocolate “Honma”. Such sweet gifts appeared due to the largest confectionery factory of the same name. It is believed that chocolate is the ‘Honma” you can give only the most beloved man. So this kind of recognition.

In Japan, February 14 is annually held competition. Young people climb on a special podium and shout words of love to your girls, how have the strength. Of course, the winner is waited by a valuable prize.

Love tradition of Denmark and the Netherlands

In this day all over Denmark and festive party dedicated to St. Valentine and to all lovers. Arranged numerous concerts, games shows, exhibitions. Celebrates the entire country. Danes have an interesting tradition. Valentine's Day men send, dried flower associated with love. So the girls will learn a lot about yourself and the tastes and imagination of their representatives.

If you really want to gomarried, you need to go to Holland. There exists a tradition that on February 14, if the girl is made an offer she can't refuse. Of course, to join this man in matrimony against his will is unlikely to succeed. But even if the offer is refused, you have the opportunity to ask the chosen one a silk dress. Moreover, any brand and at any price. No man can refuse. The only condition – the dress should be red. It is believed that only this outfit will be able to comfort a rejected woman. So Dutch, in any case, the loser does not remain.

Day friends

In Estonia and Finland it is a Day of friendship. Of course, love him too say. But the peculiarity of the holiday is that cards and gifts get more and real friends. This is done to ensure that the festival could join almost everything, not just happy in love.

Anyway, but in this day and worldwide, people send Valentine cards, cute handmade things, gifts, soft toys, sweets and other presents, in the shape of hearts. The flowers here are less popular, so as a practical Finns and Estonians prefer tangible expression of their feelings of love and friendship.

The Ban on love

Iran and Saudi Arabia – the only in the world of a country where officially banned Valentine's Day. Holiday traditions are considered the pernicious and corrupting, confusing the young minds. In Saudi Arabia there is even a Commission for the prevention of the introduction of sin and virtue. It issued a decree banning the celebration of Valentine's Day. The Commission concluded that “this Western celebration exalts the original sin of man”.

So all the shops and supermarkets of the country on February 14 is not entitled to sell flowers, cards, plush toys and all sorts of other attributes of the holiday. And anyone who thinks mark this celebration, a huge fine.

A Celebration of love in Russia

As mentioned above, in Russia, Valentine's Day is celebrated not so long ago. However, the holiday has managed many come to mind. Especially those who are in love. In Russia have already appeared its holiday traditions. This day is a celebration of joy and love. In all parts of the country lovers send Valentine cards, present gifts and flowers, arrange a romantic evening with candlelight and Dating under the moon.

By the way, in Russia there are your Valentine's day. Orthodox holiday called Valentine's Day. Russians celebrate it on July 8. This festival is a tribute to the legendary love of Fevronia and Paul. And in 2008, he declared the official Day of family, loyalty and love.