Flowers Of Silk

Every February 14th, people across the world send greetings of love and friendship celebrating Valentines Day. Candy and flowers are popular gifts, expressing our love and esteem of the recipients. Schoolchildren also take part in this yearly exchange cards with heart and cupid motifs. Everyone knows this day as the romantic holiday of the year. Do you know the story behind the tradition? Who is this elusive figure known as St. Valentine?

Rome was ruled over by Emperor Claudius II during the third century. There was a Catholic priest in his empire named Valentine. The trouble began when the Emperor found that no one wanted to join his army. The men did not like the idea of being away from home for long stretches of time. And this inevitably was the case since Claudius II always sent his army to distant places after recruitment.

Extremely upset by what was happening, the Emperor reached the conclusion that young men would be more willing to join his army than the older ones. After all, what did they have to lose since they were unmarried? But to make doubly sure, he passed a law forbidding young men from marrying! Having no choice and finding a willing supporter in Valentine, some young men requested him to perform their marriages in secret. Sadly, he was discovered by Claudius, and arrested. He was kept in prison, to be sentenced to death.

One of the prison guards felt sympathy for this priest. To help him while away his time, he permitted his young daughter to pay visits to Valentine. The two became close friends. Before he was taken to the gallows, Valentine gave his friend a letter with the signature, “From your Valentine”. And that has become the launch pad for the modern Valentine’s Day!

After his death, Valentine was pronounced a Saint by the Vatican. And to honor his name, Pope Gelasius (as far back as 496 A.D.) declared that the day that Valentine died (February 14th, 270 A.D.) be named as St. Valentine’s Day. This day was to be special as it allowed individuals to express their sentiments of romance and love to one another. Thus, the spiritual world dominated the material world.

Over time, at least by the Middle Ages, this day became very famous and Europe celebrated it with gusto! In 1415, when the Duke of Orleans (Charles) was housed in the Tower of London as a punishment, he dispatched a card to his wife on February 14th. This practice continues on every Valentine’s Day all over the world.

All over Europe, enthusiastic lovers devised various gifts and practices to express their devotion to their lovers on Valentines Day. In Wales, wooden spoons were carved with hearts and keys to show how the recipient could unlock their heart. All over Europe, names were drawn from bowls and then pinned to their sleeves to declare their love to their chosen Valentine. Men offered gifts of clothing to their loved ones. When the woman accepted, they were then betrothed.

Although these customs did not survive, this unofficial holiday is today one of the favorite holidays of the year. Today, we send cards and present candy and flowers to our loved ones. Romantic candlelight dinners are enjoyed by lovers around the world. We all have the good St. Valentine to thank for this lovely celebration. Love is indeed sublime.