what is valentines day? what is it about?

Answer 1

February 14 is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards, candy, or donations to charities, often anonymously. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day. The holiday is named after two men, both Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines". Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.

In the United States, the marketing of Valentine's Day has tagged it as a "Hallmark holiday"

HISTORY
On the ancient Athens calendar, the period between mid-January and mid-February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera.

In Ancient Rome, February 15 was Lupercalia. Plutarch wrote:

Lupercalia, of which many write that it was anciently celebrated by shepherds, and has also some connection with the Arcadian Lycaea. At this time many of the noble youths and of the magistrates run up and down through the city naked, for sport and laughter striking those they meet with shaggy thongs. And many women of rank also purposely get in their way, and like children at school present their hands to be struck, believing that the pregnant will thus be helped in delivery, and the barren to pregnancy.[3]

The word Lupercalia comes from lupus, or wolf, so the holiday may be connected with the legendary wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier" or "the chaste Juno," was celebrated on February 13-14. Pope Gelasius I (492-496) abolished Lupercalia. Some historians argue that Candlemas (then held on February 14, later moved to February 2) was promoted as its replacement, but this feast was already being celebrated in Jerusalem by AD 381. The pope also declared in 496 that the feast of St. Valentine would be on February 14.

Answer 2

Valentine's Day was originally about celebrating St. Valentine. This day is a day to celebrate your loved ones and be kind to others. Valentine's Day has pretty much evolved from Religious Feast Day, to holiday in general.

Answer 3

February 14, celebrated in various American and European countries by the exchange of valentines or love tokens. Also called Valentine's Day .

Answer 4

February 14. this is a Wednesday this twelve months. Asking her out on Valentines day would desire to finally end up splendidly or horribly, in accordance with how she solutions you. the two goodies or a pink rose are severe high quality presents.

Answer 5

It is the Feast of St. Valentine the patron Saint of Marriage.

Answer 6

It used to be a kind of fun, trivial joking and cuddling day before I was widowed. It isn't the sort of thing you want to take too seriously. But there is a friend that I'd like to surprise this weekend and take out. She's disappeared for the last several hours. It isn't like I can make plans for tomorrow and spring them on a single mother without warning. Anybody want to take odds on whether she shows up in time?

Answer 7

You don't know what valentines is? I will help ya out girl! It is about Love for your family and friends! I hope that helped!

Answer 8

It is the celebration of the Saint Valentines massacre, when a group of criminals were gunned down.

Answer 9

yea its about the one you like/love/and friends another reason to give a gift my wife loves valentines day cupid comes around this day

Answer 10

that's a pretty good question just one day to tell some one u love them what about the rest of the day in the year tell me now u and Ur man can't agree and on this particular day him a go pretend that we are lovers a rass that!!!!!!!