Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day today?

“Happy February 14“, couples often say to each other. Perhaps like no other date, February 14 is intrinsically linked to Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day, the birthday to celebrate love in different parts of the world, with their respective connotations. The history of this festival dates back to Rome and a legend. The tale tells that during the year 270 AD, the great empire was in decline, weakened and losing battles against its rivals. The Emperor at the time, Claudius III, considered married men to be less successful in battle because they were emotionally attached to their families..

This is why, immediately, he ordered to prohibit the marriage. This is how Valentin, a Christian bishop, unhappy with this decision, secretly began to unite in a holy marriage the young couples in love who came to him.

When Claudio III found out, he arrested the priest and pressured him to renounce Christianity. When he refuses, he is sentenced to death..

It was during the last weeks of his life that one of his jailers recognized Valentin as a man of letters and took his daughter Julia – blind from birth – to receive lessons from him.

SO, Valentine read him stories from Roman history, taught him arithmetic, and told him about God.. Julia learned to see the world through Valentin’s eyes, until finally the young woman’s successive pleas to see were heard.

On the eve of his death, Valentine wrote a final letter to Julia asking her to stay close to God and signed it “From your Valentine”without knowing that he thus gave birth to the tradition of sending messages of love on this very special date.

Valentine was executed the following day, February 14, 270.near a gate that was later named Valentine’s Gate to honor her memory.

He first valentines day was celebrated on February 14, 494. The party was official in the Catholic Church, until the Pope Paul IV it ceased to celebrate it and at the Second Vatican Council, in 1969, it was removed from the liturgical calendar.

Valentine’s Day, currently, is celebrated by exchanging love notes called “valentines”, in many cases with designs such as the symbolic shape of the heart. From the 19th century, the exchange of mass-produced postcards was introduced, a practice to which other types of gifts were later added.

How to celebrate around the world

The date has different connotations in each country. For example in Colombia It is not celebrated on February 14, but rather in September, as commercially February is the month of the school season in most of the country. The tradition of the secret friend is common there, which consists of drawing lots for the recipient of a gift – male or female – without the latter knowing who gave it to him. In Mexico, the love between bride and groom is represented by roses. In Peru, this holiday is known as the Day of Love and Friendship.

In Japan, the celebration of Valentine’s Day is quite special. It has been celebrated since the mid-20th century, initially promoted by a chocolate company. As a feature, highlights the fact that it is women who give chocolates to men, whether they are family, friends or colleagues. As a sort of compensation, also a product of marketing, the men return the favor a month later, on March 14, a holiday known as white day (“White Day”), the date on which white chocolates, marshmallows or other white gifts are generally given, including underwear.

In Brazil, this holiday is called the Valentine’s Day (Valentine’s Day) and it is June 12, in memory of San Antonio de Padua and it is also customary to exchange gifts.

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