What is Valentine’s Day?
The Meaning of Valentine’s Day
What is the significance of Valentine’s Day? By now, many of you may have guessed the meaning of this day. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romantic love, friendship, and affection between couples and friends of the opposite sex. Each year on Valentine’s Day, people express their feelings for each other through sweet greetings or meaningful gifts such as cards, roses, chocolates, and other special presents (for example, watches, couple outfits, or a romantic dinner).
The Origin of Valentine’s Day
There are many theories about the origin of Valentine’s Day, but the most widely accepted one is the story of a priest named Valentine during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II.
Around the 3rd century, the Roman Empire was engaged in many bloody wars and was unpopular with its citizens. At that time, due to difficulties in enlisting young men into the army, Emperor Claudius II believed that Roman men did not want to leave their families or loved ones, and that marriage only made men weak. Because of this thought, Claudius II issued a decree banning engagements or weddings to focus all efforts on warfare.
Once again, the emperor’s edict was met with opposition from many people, including Valentine, a priest in Rome, and Saint Marius. They continued to secretly perform wedding ceremonies for young couples in love. However, they were eventually discovered, and Valentine was arrested and sentenced to death by being dragged and stoned to death on February 14, 273. But on the evening before his execution, he sent the first “Valentine’s card” to the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, a blind young woman whom he had miraculously healed. On the card that Valentine sent, he signed off with the words “dal vostro Valentino” (translated as “From your Valentine”). Gradually, February 14 became the day when couples exchanged messages of love. Saint Valentine also became the patron saint of lovers.
Where Did Valentine’s Day Originate?
In the past, Valentine’s Day was only celebrated in North America and Europe. But now, it is observed in most countries around the world, including Vietnam.
In some Eastern countries like China and Japan, in addition to Valentine’s Day, there is also a separate love celebration on the Qixi Festival (the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar).
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world
How Many Types of Valentine’s Day Are There?
Traditionally, there is only one Valentine’s Day, which falls on February 14 each year. However, as we all know, love is a complex and ever-present emotion! Having just one day dedicated to love seems insufficient for people to express their feelings fully. For this reason, in addition to the annual Valentine’s Day on February 14, two more Valentine’s Days have been added on March 14 and April 14. So, what do these three dates represent?
– Red Valentine’s Day
According to legend, Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II of Rome. At that time, the Roman Empire was involved in many bloody invasions and was unpopular with its citizens. Emperor Claudius II believed that young men would become soft-hearted if they married, so he issued a decree banning weddings or engagements to make it easier to recruit soldiers for the army.
Valentine, however, defied this unreasonable edict and continued to secretly perform wedding ceremonies for couples in love. When he was caught, Valentine was arrested and sentenced to death by being dragged and stoned on the streets until he died on February 14, 273.
From then on, Valentine became the patron saint of love in the eyes of the people, and February 14 became known as Valentine’s Day or Saint Valentine’s Day.
On this day, couples express their love for each other by giving traditional gifts such as Valentine’s cards, roses, chocolates, and other special presents.
– White Valentine’s Day
White Valentine’s Day, or White Day, originated in Japan. On Red Valentine’s Day, girls give chocolates to their beloved, especially handmade ones, as a way of confessing their feelings. Then, on March 14, exactly one month later, the boys give gifts (usually white chocolates or chewy candies) as a response.
This tradition started in 1965 when a girl gave a present to a boy who sold chewy candies on February 14 to confess her love. Exactly one month later, the boy made white candies like snow and gave them to the girl, and thus, White Valentine’s Day on March 14 was born.
The first White Valentine’s Day was celebrated in 1978 in Japan. It was initiated by the National Confectionery Industry Association and has since spread worldwide.
– Black Valentine’s Day
It’s a bit unfair that couples have a day to celebrate while single people don’t, right? And so, Black Valentine’s Day on April 14 was created.
Black Valentine’s Day, or Black Day, originated in South Korea. On this day, single people or those who embrace the single life gather together to hang out and eat. They wear black clothing and eat black bean-paste noodles, a traditional Korean dish, while wishing to find their soulmates soon and also declaring to the world that the life of a single person can be just as happy and fulfilling.
Black Valentine’s Day may sound a bit “sad” and “unfortunate,” but it’s not about broken hearts or lost love! It originated in South Korea and is celebrated on April 14. Unlike Red and White Valentine’s Days, Black Valentine’s Day is dedicated to single people. On this day, young Koreans who are still single get together and eat jajangmyun (black bean-paste noodles) as a way to assert that “being single is not so bad after all!”
Wishing you all the love and happiness in the world!
Chocolates the Traditional Valentine’s Day Gifts?’>Why Are Roses and Chocolates the Traditional Valentine’s Day Gifts?
On Valentine’s Day, couples often exchange gifts as a token of their love. While the traditional gifts of chocolates, flowers, and cards are always appreciated, why not think outside the box this year? Imagine surprising your loved one with a gift that is not only unique but also captures the essence of your relationship. It could be an experience you share, a memento of a special memory, or something that speaks to their hobbies and interests.