FUERTEVENTURA MAGAZINE hoy celebraciones / Celebrations / Feiern
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Valentine’s Day: between history and legend FMHOY - Fuerteventura Although love is a feeling that should be expressed 365 days per year, 14th February is the date chosen as Lovers’ Day. But, why on that day? Various theories can be considered when it comes to explaining the origins of this celebration. Stories, legends, reality, fiction, … What is certain is that it is celebrated in countries all over the world and over and above the displays of love and kindness, it is surrounded by consumerism, which in some cases, takes away the original meaning of the celebration. Who was Saint Valentine? The mystery that surrounds the origins of this celebration includes the saint himself. One of the versions makes reference to a priest called Valentine in 3rd century Rome. In those days, when Christianity was being persecuted, authorities prohibited young soldiers from getting married, as they believed that single men were more efficient in battles. In those circumstances, Valentine decided to marry couples in secret under the Christian ritual, but he was discovered and put in jail. In prison, Valentine worked a miracle and brought eyesight back to the blind daughter of the jailer. However, this did not save him. The priest suffered martyrdom and was executed on 14th February of the year 270 A.C. Not recognised in the ecclesiastical calendar Although for centuries the anniversary of Saint Valentine was part of the ecclesiastical calendar, in 1969 the celebration was taken away by the Catholic Church. The reason was the lack of historical proof of
the identity and of the actual martyrdom. And despite the fact that the Church recognised the 14th February as the celebration of three supposed martyrs (amongst which were Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni), in reality there was always a lot of doubt about the truth of the history of Saint Valentine. Between consumerism and love But, looking beyond the historical doubts, Valentine’s Day is a perfect occasion to celebrate love and friendship. If we look back, it was during the 19th century that, in Anglo-Saxon countries, people started exchanging postcards with love and friendship messages every 14th February. Later, the celebration moved on to other countries, until it reached far away countries like the United States or China. As far as gifts are concerned, in addition to the original cards, people started exchanging other types of gifts such as sweets or flowers. In this instance, the rose has become the chosen flower for that occasion and it even carries a different meaning according to its colour. The red rose symbolises love, while the yellow one expresses deep friendship. In Spain, where Lovers’ Day started being celebrated half way through the 20th century, couples in love celebrate Valentine’s Day by exchanging various gifts. Nowadays possibilities are endless, there is no standardised gift and it is left up to one’s imagination on how to celebrate this day as a couple. A diner, a trip, a jewel, … it all works! We all know that it is the intention that counts and all the more when we talk about love.