Sunday, April 13, 2025
VALENTINE’S DAY
February 14th is Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day
is a day for romance and love. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries
around the world, including Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
You see a lot of romantic symbols on Valentine’s
Day. For example, many couples give each other roses. To give someone flowers
at any time of year is romantic, and as roses are a symbol of romance, roses on
Valentine’s Day are especially popular.
Another symbol of romance that is seen frequently
on Valentine’s Day is Cupid. In Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus,
the goddess of love. Cupid was often shown as a smaller, more playful version
of his mother. His golden arrows were magical and even slight contact with one
of the arrow tips could make a person fall madly in love.
One understanding of romantic love—called courtly
love—dates back to medieval times, and sending cards on Valentine’s Day dates
back equally far. In 1415, a prisoner in the Tower of London sent a poem to his
wife. This is considered to be one of the earliest recorded valentines. For
over four hundred years, people made their own valentines by writing poems like
this.
In the Victorian era, in the mid-1800s, companies
started producing valentines for people to buy. Now many people buy, rather
than make, their valentines. Almost one billion valentines are sent every year.
According to the Greeting Card Association,
85% of the valentines are bought by women.
Of course, people don’t just buy cards. People buy
candles and balloons and many other things, often in the shape of a heart. You can
find boxes of candy that are shaped like hearts, or candy that is itself in the
shape of a heart!
The presents might be something small and sweet or
something big and dramatic. Some people get engaged (promise to marry each
other) on Valentine’s Day. Although Valentine’s Day is generally romantic, many
people like to use the day to celebrate any kind of love—including love of
friends and family.
Some schools have valentine parties. The students
give each other valentines. They eat heart-shaped candy. Some schools have other
valentine celebrations, such as dances.
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