http://members.aol.com/porchfour/holidays/valentin.htm -Holidays: Valentines Day

Interfaith   Religion and Beliefs for an Internet Generation

Holidays and Holy Days:
by Yuga2
 

      Naturally enough, when the Christian church came to power, they denounced these prototypical valentines and the festivities associated with them as heathens' lewd customs.  Churchmen tried to substitute saints' names and short sermons and psalms on the billets, but folks soon reverted back to the love-notes.

      The church also replaced Juno Februata with the mythical St. Valentine who had several conflicting biographies.  One of these made him a Roman youth who was martyred at the same moment his sweetheart received his billet professing his lover for her.  Another makes him a martyr under Emperor Claudius II around CE 269 for opposing a ban on the marriage of young men of soldiering age.  St. Valentine became a patron of lovers per force as the festival remained dedicated to lovers despite all efforts on the part of the church to change it.

      The custom of sending billets seems to have died out with the Roman Empire but once again became popular during the Victorian era.  Fancy cards were created and exchanged (traditionally by the person sending it), driving the day into public popularity.  Flowers became the item to give your lover because, at that time, the medieval romantic Language of Flowers was making a comeback.  Of course, as the holiday grew, manufactured cards, candy and trinkets were added to the array of Valentine's gifts.

      There is a superstition associated with Valentine's Day and a young lady's ability to divine what kind of man she would marry.  Upon stepping out of the house on Valentine's Day, pay careful attention to the first bird you see.

If the Bird was a....   Blackbird: Dove: Sparrow: Goldfinch: Hawk: Crossbill:   Robin: Bluebird: Owl: Woodpecker:

She Would Marry a.....       Clergyman     Good-hearted man     Farmer     Rich man     Soldier or a brave man     Argumentative         or bad-tempered man     Sailor     Happy man     Man who would not live long     The woman will never marry

      Of course, this is only a silly superstition.  But such things, taken in the spirit of the holiday serve to make it a bit more interesting.  Also, according to medieval folklore, February 14th is the first day of the mating season among birds.  Coincidence?

      We thank the folks at Charlotte's Web for use of the heart-throbbing artwork. They have lots of Valentine's information at: http://www.charweb.org/arts/valentine/valentin.htm .

      An artistic website that displays Valentine information, with background music for your browsing pleasure, is located at: http://www.holidays.net/amore/ .

      A commercial website, loaded with greetings and gifts, will help the tongue-tied to express themselves in endearing terms. You might wish to visit: http://www.valentine.com/ .

      And, if you are the type who needs to shop 'til you drop, there is the maximum reference list available at: http://www.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Holidays/Valentine_s_Day/  where you can immerse yourself in Valentine lore, products, and things to do.