Post Author
February is here, the season of love, the month of valentine’s, but why do we celebrate valentine’s day?
The day where lovers spend a romantic day out to celebrate each other’s love – Valentine’s Day. February 14 is when the sky is lit with red-coloured balloons, and everything around is red to symbolize love.
People gift their valentine cards, gifts, chocolates and much other cute stuff to uphold their love. This day of love is looked forward to by many, as many people finally gain the courage to make THE MOVE!
There goes a long history of valentine’s day and why exactly people celebrate it. You will not just figure out the roots, but you will also get an insight into the symbols and how different countries celebrate the February of love in this article.
But apart from all these celebrations, have you ever wondered why we celebrate valentine’s day?
Head below to read more about this romantic love occasion.

History of valentine’s day
Different people have different versions about why this day is celebrated, but here is the most popular version taking the internet by storm.
Saint Valentine
Many historians say that in the third century, a priest named St Valentine, also known as St Valentinus, lived in Rome.
He appreciated love and lovers and wanted to bring justice for them. But the hurdle was Emperor Claudius II. He was reportedly the emperor who imposed various rules and regulations during his rule.
Emperor Claudius II was against the idea of marriage. He believed that young men who were mostly Roman soldiers back then would often lose their interest in service to the kingdom after marriage.
This was why he banned marriages in Rome and expected people to work only to benefit the kingdom.
Little did the world know back then that one legend named St Valentine would come to the rescue as a hero. According to history, St. Valentine would secretly get the couples somewhere on the outskirts and get them married.
His secret marriage pact was top-secret, and he asked the couples to remain highly confidential about the same.
However, one day, things didn’t go as per his plans. Th patron saint had got caught by Emperor Claudius II for the secret marriages he had done. The angry Roman emperor got furious and immediately gave orders to jail St Valentine.
Following his capture, the saint was jailed and spent some time in prison, just vividly passing off his time. Life then took a turnover for him when he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter.
Whenever his daughter would visit the prison, St Valentine would gaze at her beautiful face. He developed feelings for her in a concise duration.

On seeing this, the roman emperor gave the saint a death sentence. He was proposedly martyred and executed. Hours before his execution, the saint wanted to confess his love for the jailer’s daughter. This is why he wrote a letter to her and signed it off with the remark, “from your Valentine”.
He was eventually executed on February 14, 269 AD. This is the reason we celebrate Valentine’s day on the date. It is also known as St Valentine’s day in many countries. The saint is now resting in Rome in a Basilica built by Pope Julius I.
Beginning of Valentine’s day celebration
Valentine’s day is believed to have been originated in Rome. It is believed that there was a roman festival where the celebrations first took off in 496 AD. The roman festival Lupercalia takes place in February every year to commemorate the start of springtime in the place.
This festival is more like a fertility festival. It was a pastoral event where health and fertility were promoted.
Boys and girls used to play a fun game where they would draw a name of the opposite gender, and throughout the event, they would be boyfriend and girlfriend! (So cool, right?) In some cases, the couple would also get married. Tinder has given up on all our hopes as much as we want these games to happen even now.
After this, people started addressing their loved ones as valentines, and the rest is history!
Valentine’s day celebrations today
Today, many new forms of expressing love on valentine’s day has come into existence. People go on night outs, spend the day together, and do other romantic activities to showcase love.
Couples give each other gifts, flowers, red roses and do many other romantic gestures to call themselves a romantic couple. This day is most sought after by people of the middle ages as they want to commemorate love.

In many countries, there is an annual valentine’s feast day where people come over to celebrate this occasion. It is also considered a romantic holiday as most people set out to romantic gateways for vacation.
Though some countries love the idea of celebrating valentine’s day, there are quite a few who are against it. Some of them are Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
These countries say that it’s against religious sentiments to celebrate valentine’s day and have imposed a ban on the same.
Valentine’s day symbols
Every event is associated with different symbols. Each object symbolizes love and is used by all those who celebrate valentine’s day.
Some of the most popular valentine’s day symbols are listed below. Check them out, and make sure you comply with them on your next date!
1.CUPID

A cupid is one of the most famous symbols of valentine’s day. It picturizes a baby with wings, and he holds an arrow. In the mindset of Roman mythology, the cupid was reportedly a roman god who symbolized love and beauty.
It showcases the baby’s heart pierced with an arrow to showcase that one should fall deeply in love.
2. FLOWERS
The most favourite flower of every valentine would be roses. Flowers have time and again proven to be the right object to express love. Dating back centuries, couples also have been gifted flowers of a different variety to show love.
Roses have also been a sign of love from when the Greeks existed. Roses uphold the quality of love and desire towards someone else.
3. VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS
Everyone appreciates handwritten letters and cards, which is why this greeting card association with valentine’s day has seen a rise in recent times. These greeting cards have been associated with handwritten notes and personalized content as a romantic gesture.
Some people often write a poem or a song to express love. Cards can also be preserved, which is why it is one of the go-to ideas for anyone to follow.
4. HEARTS

Undoubtedly, hearts are the most sought after valentine’s gift for a loved one. The heart symbolizes 2 halves joining and staying together to ensure love binds people.
It is also said that since the heart is the most important organ in the human body and one cannot live without a heart, usage of the heart as a valentine symbol signifies that one cannot live without love in their life.
5. CHOCOLATES
This sweet delight is always a fan favourite in terms of gifts. Statistics prove that chocolate sales see an all-time rise during February because who doesn’t like chocolates?
It also signifies intimacy and other pleasures that people in love crave for. Chocolates also symbolize the quality of sharing because they believe that sharing helps keep up a great bond.
6. LOVE KNOT

Love knots are tiny knots made with the help of rope. It aims to keep the bond entwined and be in love always. It also signifies two souls binding together to form one heart filled with love.
Couples play a game where they tie a love knot on a branch and leave it for the whole year. According to ancient mythology, it is believed that if the love knot lasts for a year, then the love will remain immortal and everlasting.
Some cool stuff, right?
7. DOVES
Birds are associated as a symbol of love. Doves are white, and white represents purity. Some people also believe that white speaks for innocence. This theory took a start ever since the Greek gods were in existence.
It showcases that love and friendship should be everlasting and pure, just like the doves and mates. And also to fly together to keep the bond safe.
8. GIFTS
Gifts tend to bring a smile to the face of the person who is getting them. Gifts have been a symbol of valentines since ancient times when people gave small gifts for their loved ones to get romantic.
These gifts often contain romantic messages pinned on them and is given to each other on the day of Valentine.
How different countries celebrate this day
It’s not always just a mini celebration at home, and many countries commemorate this occasion by doing various activities around the globe. Some of the most popular countries that celebrate this occasion solemnly are;
1. FRANCE
France and its aide Paris have been one of the romantic destinations the world has seen. Many couples go on honeymoons and for other romantic gateways to France.
Since the first valentine’s day card was given in France, the French celebrate this tradition even today.

On valentine’s week, couples exchange cards and other handwritten letters to each other to celebrate. The Eiffel Tower has been home to some of the most awesome proposals the world has seen!
2. PHILIPPINES
In February, the government announced a special activity where couples can get married at a ceremony sponsored by the government themselves.
It is a public service event that invites many young couples to get their love sealed forever!
3. BULGARIA
In Bulgaria, wine is trendy. Apart from Valentine’s day, February 14 is regarded as the day of winemakers!
To commemorate both occasions together, different varieties of wine are offered to the citizens. So couples are sure to have a lovely valentine’s day with a beautiful glass of wine alongside the sunset.
4. DENMARK
In Denmark, valentine’s day is celebrated with a twist. Here the citizens don’t just exchange hugs and kisses, and they exchange white flowers which are pressed. This tradition has lived in Denmark and has dated back years.
Denmark considers white flowers to signify romance and pure love, which is why people of all ages, young and old, come forward and express their love through the white flowers, which are freshly picked.
5. ESTONIA

On February 14, a gala feast is organized, followed by music and dance. It is an open event that is limited to couples and anyone in the country! Estonia doesn’t want just couples to have all the fun!
Everyone, from kids and couples to singles and family members, joins in celebrating this occasion. This was done with the motive that love is love, and no relationship can succeed without love and care.
6. JAPAN
Japan is known for doing things differently always. To celebrate valentine’s day, there is an activity in which women and young girls exclusively perform.
Hundreds of millions of young women across Japan give gifts to their partners and showcase their love.
This is done to uphold manliness and let role-reversals happen. But for the unversed, men are not allowed to re-gift until March! Sounds quite interesting, right?
The Valentine Week
The celebrations for Valentine’s day begins a week in advance. It came into existence recently and has been highly sought after ever since. The days are as follows:
FEBRUARY 7 – ROSE DAY

This day is celebrated to express your love through a rose. Young men set off to impress their lady with the help of a rose and get their romantic mood started.
FEBRUARY 8 – PROPOSE DAY
No doubt there would be a million heart-breaks on this day, but for the positive side, 2 souls bind to form one!
People gain the courage to confess their love and propose to their loved ones on this day. Awesome, right?
FEBRUARY 9 -CHOCOLATE DAY
Couples give each other a sweet delight to make the day sweeter. Since chocolates are the best dessert to share, chocolates make the right companion for your ideal date!
FEBRUARY 10 – TEDDY DAY
Teddies are cute, and gifting them to your loved one makes it cuter! Your partner will love the teddy, so make use of this day to give a sweet teddy.
FEBRUARY 11 – PROMISE DAY
Promises make a relationship much stronger. So on this day, couples give each other lifetime promises and try their best to live up to them. (Hopefully, they keep up their promises!)
FEBRUARY 12 – HUG DAY
Couples hug it out on this day. A hug makes the mood better and sorts out all problems, so this is the right occasion to get yourself a hug.
FEBRUARY 13 – KISS DAY
On this day, the kiss of love makes it all worth it! The enlightening kiss makes a relationship special, and this day upholds the same beautifully.
Valentine’s day is not just a day for lovers. It could be any relationship that you want to cherish for a lifetime. Your valentine could be anyone who brings a smile to your face and makes you feel great about yourself.
We need to bust this myth that singles cannot celebrate valentine’s day. If you are single, it’s okay! You could probably go for a date with your besties, family members or anyone else who you love spending time with.
You could also use this opportunity to showcase self-love and pamper yourself on this day. It’s never too late to give yourself a break from your routine activity, so get going and give yourself all the love that you deserve.
Moreover, we need to celebrate love every single day. So make your every day as valentine’s day and keep spreading love wherever you go! Expressing love for just one day and not showing up ever again is so bad, right?
Love is always to be cherished, not just on a single day. So, make every day count. Let the people you love know that you care.
Now that you know the history of valentine’s day, symbols and other important information about valentine’s day, it’s a sure thing that your next V-Day is going to be a super hit!
Happy Valentines!
Spread Love!
Last Updated on by kalidaspandian