Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, is a day for expressing love through gifts and affections. We gather with our loved ones, exchange little gifts, and acknowledge the love we feel. But what is it really about?With many holidays, the celebrated day began as one thing and evolved into something different. Valentine's Day comes on the feast day of two different Christian martyrs named Valentine. But our customs for this day has nothing to do with their lives. It seems to reach back to an ancient Roman festival called Lupericalia. Celebrated on the 15th, the festival honored Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, the god of nature.
Valentine's Day carries a variety of traditions throughout the world.
In United States and Canada, we celebrate through gifts: candy, cards, flowers, parties, etc.
In Sicily, some young women wake before sunrise and stand by a window, waiting for a man to pass by. It is believed he will become her husband within the year.
Some believe that birds choose their mates on February 14th.
As we celebrate already established relationships, most customs find this day to be a celebration of new love, a special day to choose a mate.
Quite a few used random methods of choosing that one person to share love and life with. To write boyfriends' names upon a piece of paper, wrap it in clay, and drop it into water was one method. The true valentine's name would float to the top first. Pinning bay leaves to a pillow to bring about a dream of the girl's future husband is another.
I hope you enjoyed these few tidbits of the Valentine's Day holiday.
In celebration of the holiday, I'd like to take a look at a few 'fictional' couples.
- Ghost - Sam and Molly hang onto love even through death.
- Titanic - Jack and Rose overcome social boundaries with their love.
- The Notebook - Noah and Allie have a love stretched over time and separation.
- Dirty Dancing - Johnny and Baby learn to step outside of the square through their love.
- Ghost Whisperer - Melinda and Jim take unconditional love to a new level.
- Sex and the City - Carrie and Mr. Big prove some love can survive hardships and differences.
- Friends - Ross and Rachel show how friendship is such an important part of a relationship.
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6 comments:
Thanks so much for giving us the reason we celebrate Valentines day, Cher. I had no idea about it.
Also loved your poll. Very sexy and romantic.
Thanks for posting this fun segment to your blog, Cher. I voted for Sam and Molly on the list. As far as sitcoms, my favorite couple is Niles and Daphne from Fraiser. That show is hysterical. The writers dragged on Niles's infatuation but in the end was worth it when they finally realized they loved each other. Niles, the father, and Eddie the dog made that show.
From novels, I like Savich and Sherlock from Catherine Coulter's novels. Griff and Nicole Powell from Beverly Barton are interesting too. Also, Julie Garwood had a series revolving around the Buchannan family. She portrays their romances with drama but also includes some comedy among their shennanigans.
It's nice to see the custom of celebrating love carry on. My parents were married on Valentine's Day in 1948. I remember even as a teenager thinking that was kinda kewl.
Hi, Cher!
Clara, Glad you enjoyed the post. I found more interesting tidbits in the encyclopedia, yes the actual print version, but didn't want to make the post too long. :)
Cindy, Glad you enjoyed. And, thanks for adding in a few more couples. Melinda and Jim is my favorite television couple. They just seem to be so much in love, and in an unconditional way. They don't judge one another, they support each other. The perfect relationship. :)
Joylene, That is a special thing to be married on Valentine's Day. And, if your Dad ever forgot the anniversary, bet he had a bigger price to pay. :)
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