The History of Valentine’s Day / January 24, 2022
The Valentine’s Day that many know, love, and celebrate on February 14th has not always taken the same shape that is commonly associated with the holiday today. While many like to lament the commercial nature of the holiday, Valentine’s Day has a very rich history that spans several centuries.
The roots of Valentine’s day can be traced back to the Roman Empire with the legend of Saint Valentine, who actually seems to have been more than one person. This saint and the day were not necessarily associated with romantic love in the beginning. The legends of Saint Valentine slowly grew in what could be considered a centuries long game of historical telephone eventually culminating in the hearts and cupids we see today.
The tradition of sending flowers for Valentine’s Day is all thanks to the Victorians and their obsession with the language of flowers. Roses in particular where deemed a symbol of love in no small part due to their unequalled beauty. Whole books were written on the Language of Flowers. In those demure (read sexually repressed) days of old flowers were an acceptable way to express one’s amorous feelings. Red and pink are often associated with love and romance and so it makes complete sense that these are the color of roses that have become associated with Valentine’s Day. Passion and the color red have always been tied together in the human psyche and there’s no wonder why.
Amorous Arrangement
Vivid Arrangement
A gorgeous bouquet can absolutely take one’s breath away. The majesty of nature and inherent beauty of the world is so easily expressed in a single flower. The immense feeling one receives when they are given a beautiful arrangement remains one of the reasons why the tradition has not only lasted this long but remains a global craze, especially for Valentine’s Day.
As with most holidays, Valentine’s Day has become more and more commercialized over the centuries but it took a big leap in the 80s when Hallmark began marketing their sappy Valentine’s Day greeting cards via cheesy TV commercials.
While Valentine’s Day has gone through many changes across its lifespan, here in the united states, the association of love, romance and flowers has stayed strong and has no indication of changing any time soon.
