February is the month associated with Valentine’s Day which is also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine and is the day when people show their affection for another person or people. Every year, the fourteenth day of the month of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, messages of love, chocolates and other lovely gifts recognized easily at any convenience store. In many countries, restaurants and eateries are seen to be filled with couples who are eager to celebrate their relationship and the joy of their togetherness through delicious cuisines. There hardly seems to be a young man or woman who is not keen to make the most of the day. The handwritten cards, chocolate hearts, and red roses are all staples of the annual tradition, recognized easily at any convenience store.

History

The first Valentine's Day was in the year 496!  The day gets its name from a famous saint named Valentine who died more than a thousand years ago, but there are several stories of who he was and nobody really knows the true history behind this storied holiday. The popular belief about Saint Valentine is that he was a priest from Rome in the third century AD in fact; it is believed that Valentine’s Day originated from a Roman festival. Much about Valentine’s Day is well known. Much about how the holiday came to be remains a mystery, details lost to time and transformed as romantics retold history. Not only does this holiday have competing origin stories, but there are at least three different early Christian saints by the name of Valentine or Valentinus. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on 14th February. Historians aren’t sure whether Valentine’s Day was inspired by a party, an execution or a poem.

Who is Cupid?

Cupid is a very popular figure with Valentine’s Day. It is often portrayed on Valentine’s Day cards as a naked cherub launching arrows of love at unsuspecting lovers. But the Roman God Cupid has his roots in Greek mythology as the Greek god of love, Eros. Accounts of his birth vary; some say he is the son of Nyx and Erebus; others, of Aphrodite and Ares; still others suggest he is the son of Iris and Zephyrus or even Aphrodite and Zeus (who would have been both his father and grandfather). According to the Greek Archaic poets, Eros was a handsome immortal played with the emotions of Gods and men, using golden arrows to incite love and leaden ones to sow aversion. It wasn’t until the Hellenistic period that he began to be portrayed as the mischievous, chubby child he’d become on Valentine’s Day cards.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating love. While it is typical for people to exchange affectionate gifts or treat each other to special outings, there are many different ways to celebrate this holiday. Enjoy February 14th with your significant other and plan a romantic day together, host a Valentine’s Day themed party for your friends, or make the holiday a personal day to pamper yourself.