Love letters, flowers, candles, red hearts and chocolates. These are well-known symbols of Valentine's Day. 14th of February is traditionally associated with love, romance, appreciation and friendship. Although is not a public holiday in any country Valentine's Day is worldwide known and celebrated. Also in Poland lovers exchange gifts and express their love. But, what are the origins of the holiday that we celebrate?
According to the legends, we celebrate Valentine's Day as a commemoration to Saint Valentine, a priest who served during the third century in Rome. Valentine was helping persecuted Christians to escape from Roman's prisons. In another version of the legend, Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriages for young men, claiming that single men are better soldiers than those with wives and families. Priest Valentine saw this as an injustice and continued to perform marriages for young lovers. When this was discovered, the priest has been imprisoned and finally sentenced to death. But the story does not end here, during his imprisonment Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer from blindness. According to the legend, she was also the first recipient of the written “valentine” card. Short before his burial (14th of February) Valentine fell in love with her and wrote her a love letter. I guess, you already know how did he sign it. “From your Valentine”.
Today Valentine's Day is worldwide celebrated and only Christmas is a more popular holiday in terms of card-sending. Nowadays, however, not only couples celebrate Valentine's Day. More and more people decide to give presents to their families and friends to show they care and simply express their love. Regardless whether you celebrate this day or not, you can learn one thing from the story of Saint Valentine. Love your loved ones and not only on this particular day. Every day.
Your Valentine