Jewelers, candy companies and greeting card companies anticipate a skyrocketing sale increase every February for one reason: Valentine’s Day. The average amount of money that an American consumer spent on Valentine’s Day in 2012 was $126.03 with the number expected to rise for this year’s consumer spending amount, according to a recent article on www.time.com.
Many people understand that Valentine’s Day is a special occasion recognizing love, but most people are unaware of its origin. February has been celebrated as a month of romance dating back to both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. However, the exact origin of this holiday remains a mystery.
Some people claim the Christian Church decided to hold a Valentine’s Day feast in the middle of February to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture.
One legend from the Catholic Church suggests a priest by the name of Saint Valentine served in the course of the third century in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius outlawed marriage for young men after he determined single men unquestionably made for the best soldiers. Valentine disagreed with Claudius’ decree and continued wedding young lovers in secrecy. When Claudius discovered Valentine’s illegal actions, Claudius sentenced Valentine to death.
Another story suggests Valentine was killed for attempting to help Christians escape Roman prisons. During Valentine’s imprisonment, it is said he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before being put to death, he wrote her a letter signed, “From your Valentine,” an expression still used in cards today.
Even though Valentine’s legend is uncertain, one common element which can be pulled from these stories is that he was a heroic, sympathetic and romantic figure for all of mankind to emulate.
Along with the United States, other countries around the globe celebrate Valentine’s Day with their own unique traditions. Unlike the United States, Valentine’s Day in these countries involves more commitment and less commercialism.
Imagine celebrating Valentine’s Day with a complete stranger. In Scotland, the tradition of “The Search of the Valentine Date” involves seeking the first man or woman one sees on the street and declaring that person their date for the day.
In Japan, Feb. 14 is a day when women buy chocolate strictly for their lover, or “Hom-mei.” Women must wait the entire month of February to receive their gift, which is traditionally white chocolate.
South Africans hold a week-long celebration where young girls celebrate Lupercalia. This tradition requires girls to pin the name of their lover on their sleeve.
Valentine’s Day is a relatively new tradition in India. The day is covered by exciting newscasts, interesting newspaper articles and a week-long festival.
Italians celebrate the holiday by exchanging minor gifts along with more extravagant gifts such as diamonds and perfume.
In the United Kingdom, the exchanging of cards and candies is a tradition. Couples write sonnets, and young children participate in the holiday by singing love songs.
The Chinese Valentine’s Day falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month on the Chinese calendar. Young couples travel to the temple called the “Temple of Matchmaker” to pray for happiness and future marriage while single people pray for luck in finding love.
Many different celebrations of love and romance take place in countries besides the United States, and all of these traditions are derived from the legends of St. Valentine.
On average, there are 220,000 marriage proposals each Valentine’s Day, marking this holiday as one of the most memorable days of the year for couples, according to www.time.com. “Valentine’s Day is another way of keeping happiness in the world,” said first-year Gabby Genuario when asked about her thoughts on the holiday. “It’s about spreading love and joy to that special someone.”