Relatively recently in our country they begancelebrate a wonderful holiday - Valentine's Day. The history of this holiday goes back several centuries. Probably, everyone is used to the fact that this day is also called Valentine's Day. But who is Valentine, and what does he have to do with love and lovers? Why February 14? And why is it customary on this day to give each other small cute cards made in the shape of hearts - valentines?

And was Valentine?

Unfortunately, some details are no longer possiblerestore - too many years have passed. But it is known for sure that Valentin is not a fictional character, but a real person who lived in the 3rd century AD in the Italian city of Terni. The Roman Empire was then ruled by Emperor Claudius II. There was a war with the Goths. Claudius was a brave and tough ruler. He tried with all his might to restore peace and order in the state. Naturally, for this he needed a strong and combat-ready army. Claudius II valued military honor and valor above other virtues. He tried in every possible way to strengthen the fighting spirit of the soldiers of his army.

Forbidden love

Emperor Claudius was deeply convinced thatthat family life was a hindrance to legionnaires. Burdened with families, soldiers tried to be at home as often as possible and worried about their loved ones. Claudius was not sentimental. Therefore, he simply forbade Roman legionnaires to marry. However, no one had ever managed to forbid love. Soldiers fell in love and wanted to start families.

Who was Valentine

Valentine is a Christian healer andclergyman. According to one version, he was a simple priest. According to another, he was a bishop of his hometown of Terni. However, his rank is not so important. What is important is that Valentine sincerely believed that love is a sacred feeling granted by God. And he tried to help lovers as best he could - he reconciled them during quarrels, helped legionnaires write love notes and gave ladies flowers from soldiers. Despite the strictest prohibition of the emperor, he secretly married lovers, helping them find their happiness. Of course, this became known. When Emperor Claudius was informed that the priest dared to violate his order, he ordered Valentine to be taken into custody and then executed.

Love works wonders

The story that happened to Valentin inprison, is no less romantic. Having learned that the prisoner was a famous doctor, one of the guards brought his blind daughter Julia to him. The more the young man treated the girl and prayed for her, the more he fell in love with her. But he was unable to heal her. The night before the execution, on February 13, the priest wrote the girl a touching letter of confession, signing it: "Your Valentine." Julia received the note after his death. She unfolded the sheet of paper, and then a miracle happened - the blind girl was able to read the written words. It is believed that the history of the "valentine" began with this note. Subsequently, Valentine was canonized. And later the day of his execution - February 14 - was declared Valentine's Day, and he himself - the patron saint of lovers.

Valentinki

The first valentine card to survive to this dayIt is considered to be a note from the Duke of Orleans Charles to his wife. It was written in 1415. At that time, the Duke was imprisoned in the Tower and, missing his wife, sent her short letters full of tenderness and love. One of these valentines has survived and is now in the British Museum. Already in the 18th century, postcards decorated with Cupids and hearts became very popular in European countries. By the 19th century, the valentine had become one of the most common ways to declare love. For those who did not have poetic talent, English publishers offered postcards with ready-made verses. Victorian valentines are real works of art. They were issued on expensive paper and decorated with silk, lace, flowers, satin and ribbons. By the middle of the century, voluminous and even mechanical postcards appeared. The cost of such valentines was quite high - not every lover could afford this luxury. By the end of the 19th century, factories in Germany, the USA and England had set up mass production of valentines. Gradually, the fashion for expensive cards began to pass. Nowadays, it is no longer necessary to buy a paper card - there are electronic ones. Nevertheless, paper valentines are still very popular. After all, you can hold such a card in your hands, put it on your nightstand or even put it under your pillow.

Symbols of the Day of Lovers

Love is a subtle and tender feeling.Sometimes it is very difficult to find the words to tell about it. Therefore, long before us, special signs and symbols were invented, with the help of which you can confess without saying a word. In addition to traditional valentines, gloves, rings, doves, hearts, lace and roses are considered symbols of love.

• A heart

This is perhaps the most striking symbol of Saint's Day.Valentina. It is believed that it is the heart that is endowed with the ability to love. And if it stops - the person dies. To give someone a heart - means to say that life without it has no meaning.

• Gloves

"I ask for your hand" - despite severaloutdated style, I think that the meaning of this phrase is still clear to everyone. And in the past, noble ladies almost always wore gloves. That's why gloves became a symbol of love and marriage.

• Pigeons

Doves are considered the favorite birds of the goddess Venus.They never change their pair and together "raise" the chicks. Doves have long become a kind of symbol of fidelity and love. It is interesting that in Africa red parrots are considered "birds of love".

• Lace

Once upon a time, every lady had to havea lace handkerchief. If the handkerchief fell, the gentleman nearby was obliged to pick it up. Sometimes frivolous coquettes used this little trick to make a pleasant acquaintance. Quite quickly, lace became associated with a love affair.

• Red Rose

This beautiful ancient flower has become a symbolpassions thanks to the goddess Aphrodite. There is a legend that while rushing to a date with her beloved, she accidentally hurt her leg on a rose bush. The white flowers were stained with her divine blood and changed color.

• Rings

The custom of exchanging rings at engagement andduring the wedding ceremony exists in many countries. The ring - a closed circle - symbolizes everything unchanging, stable, eternal. Such a gift speaks of the desire to always be close to your chosen one. Therefore, since the times of Ancient Rome, the ring has been a symbol of love and marriage. Of course, it is not at all necessary to wait for February 14 to arrange a small holiday or give a gift. After all, when you love, all days become special. And in the heart of every lover lives Saint Valentine, whose story is a tale of love, for which it is worth living and not afraid to die. But since almost the whole world celebrates Valentine's Day - why not join in? We recommend reading:

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