Love, Cupid, hearts, chocolates, cards and flowers are everywhere--it's Valentine's Day! On February 14, Americans celebrate love and friendship. But where did this holiday of affection come from?
The origins of Valentine's Day are murky. We do know that the ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia, a spring festival, on the 15th of February. With the introduction of Christianity, the holiday moved to the 14th of February--the saint day that celebrated several early Christian martyrs named Valentine. But somewhere along the way, Valentine's Day came to represent romance. You can watch a romantic movie right here, "The Kiss," produced by Thomas Edison back in 1900. The romance we associate with Valentine's Day may spring from the medieval belief that birds select their mates on February 14th. During the Middle Ages, human lovebirds recited verse or prose to one another in honor of the day. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" wrote William Shakespeare.
Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning expressed love this way:
How do I love thee; let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach. . .
Do you write poetry? We also hear these sentiments in love songs, such as this funny old tune, "Aba Daba Honeymoon." How many love songs can you think of that could send your message on Valentine's Day?
"Will you be my Valentine?" Nowadays, people often ask this of their loved ones in greeting cards. Probably the first greeting cards, handmade valentines, appeared in the 16th century. As early as 1800, companies began mass-producing cards. Initially these cards were
hand-colored by factory workers. By the early 20th century even fancy lace and
ribbon-strewn cards were created by machine. Perhaps you will give or receive a card today or celebrate your family or that special someone in another way. Valentine's Day also gives people a chance to reflect on the meaning of love. What do you think makes true love?
Source: America's Library
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Come express YOUR love to your special someone with a unique, one of a kind, jewelry piece from Handmade Jewelry Haven. You will forever have her heart!
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I see Cupid is up to mischief. The heart bracelet is lovely.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma had the best Valentine collection, many from the 20s and 30s. I prefer the day after when everything is on sale. So let's hear it for the 15th. I vaguely remember something about St. Valentine's and matching making and him getting beheaded and a joke about watch the beard but that was from Catholic school in the 60s so who knows, I might be getting it mixed up with another saint and Fiddler.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanna, yes, Valentines day has rather a macabre story. I wrote about it last year and it is titled:
DeleteThe Dark Origins Of Valentines Day Check it out and let me know what you think.
Absolutely beautiful. You really should share with lots of male bloggers too especially for this special day coming! Good luck in your sales!
ReplyDeleteI think I have a few that read this blog ;)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
- Lisa
Lovely Valentine post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am glad you enjoyed it!
Delete- Lisa
Gonna wear red and throw everybody kisses!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great plan!
Delete- Lisa
The bracelet is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is one of my most intricate pieces.
Delete- Lisa
Beautiful bracelet!
ReplyDeleteThank you, it is also one of my favorite bracelets!
Delete- Lisa
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteEverything starts in its simplest form before exploding into big things. Sometimes for the good and other times not so good. I like the idea of Valentine's Day but I don't need a special day to show DH I love him. I like doing that every day through small gestures that's special to him. That's what we should always do for those we love. I certainly enjoyed reading the tidbits associated with the holiday. I wish the handmade cards were still fashionable. I know there are some who still practice the art including myself on occasion but these days I go hi-tech doodling images to print with hand-written sentments tucked inside. I think however one chooses to express his/her love then that's all that matters, though. You have a very unique ability to craft beautiful jewelry and that's a good expression of love, too. Your heart bracelet has a charming warmth. Lovely job!
Cathy, that is really the way to live life as a whole.
DeleteThank you for sharing that :)
- Lisa
Thanks for the history lesson. I have never thought about the origin of Valentine's Day and wouldn't have guessed it was once a religious holiday. I have a box of Valentine's from my childhood (late 60s/early 70s). Although I'm a nomad and have gotten rid of most of my paper "junk" I hang on to the Valentines - they are so whimsical and very retro I want to find something creative to do with them - I'm still thinking on that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the history lesson. I have never thought about the origin of Valentine's Day and wouldn't have guessed it was once a religious holiday. I have a box of Valentine's from my childhood (late 60s/early 70s). Although I'm a nomad and have gotten rid of most of my paper "junk" I hang on to the Valentines - they are so whimsical and very retro I want to find something creative to do with them - I'm still thinking on that.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will find something super cool to do with them.
DeleteHave you been getting any ideas from Pinterest?
- Lisa
That's a lovely bracelet! Hopefully, your sales went well. Thanks for sharing the interesting history behind Valentine's Day. I always thought it was a fake holiday, manufactured by the retail industry ;)
ReplyDeleteIf you want a more detailed description, check out last years post on it...
Deletehttp://handmade-jewelry-haven.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day.html
The Dark Origins of Valentines Day
Let me know what you think :)
- Lisa
Thanks for sharing the history of Valentine's day. Really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it Bernadette.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
- Lisa
Valentines day is so much fun and so is the chocolate.I also love getting gifts from your beautiful etsy peices.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful designs, great work. I enjoy seeing the pictures of the beautiful jewelry you make.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing,
Jenn