The holiday began with a man called Valentine. He lived in Rome during the third century. During that time Claudius was the emperor. He was not a real popular emperor, and was trying to build an army. Since very few would volunteer, he was angry. Most men didn't want to leave families, so Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages.
Valentine also was a priest, and performed marriage ceremonies for couples that came to him. He kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, until he was caught and put in prison. And his punishment was death.
Many young people came to visit with him, throwing flowers and notes to him. One of the young people was the jailors daughter, and she helped him to stay in good spirits, as best as she could. On the day he was to die, he left her a little note thanking her for her friendship and helping him stay partially happy. He signed it, "Love from your Valentine."
It is said that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. He died on February 14, 269 AD. Now each year people send notes to those they love on Valentine's Day. They think about love and friendship. And of the Emperor Claudius: they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because love lives on, and no one can cause it to stop...
Traditions
Around 1500, people began making paper valentines, and by 1800, hand-painted copper plates were produced to meet the high demand. Today, many thousands of valentines are produced each year.
In England many children dressed up like adults, and went to the homes and sang. One song went:
Good morning to you, valentine:
Curl your locks as I do mine
Two before and three behind
Good morning to you, valentine.
In Wales, wooden love spoons were carved and given as presents on February 14. Hearts, keys and keyholes were the favorite decorations. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"
In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.
Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man but be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
And Then There Was Cupid
Cupid, to the ancient Romans, was the son of Venus (the Roman goddess of love and beauty).
Cupid, to the people of Greece was known as Eros, the son of Aphrodite (the Greek Goddess of love and beauty.)
But regardless which country you speak of, Cupid is the most famous of Valentine symbols. He is thought of as a mischievous, winged child armed with a bow and arrow. He supposedly shot darts into the bosoms of both gods and men and caused them to fall deeply in love.
One legend tells the story of Cupid and the mortal maiden Psyche. Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche, and ordered Cupid to punish the mortal. But instead, Cupid fell deeply in love with her. He took her as his wife, but as a mortal she was forbidden to look at him.
Psyche was happy until her sisters convinced her to look at Cupid. Cupid punished her by leaving, and their lovely castle and gardens vanished with him. Psyche found herself alone in an open field. As she wandered trying to find her love, she came upon the temple of Venus. Wishing to destroy her, the goddess of love gave Psyche a series of tasks, each harder and more dangerous then the last.
For her last task Psyche was given a little box and told to take it to the underworld. She was told to get some of the beauty of Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, and put it in the box. During her trip she was given tips on avoiding the dangers of the realm of the dead. She was also warned not to open the box. Temptation overcame Psyche and she opened the box. But instead of finding beauty, she found deadly slumber.
Cupid found her lifeless on the ground. He gathered the deadly sleep from her body and put it back in the box. Cupid forgave her, as did Venus. The gods, moved by Psyche's love for Cupid made her a goddess.
VALENTINE'S DAY
