Winter Love – Valentine’s Day
By Kay Davis

      I know. Valentine’s Day was last month. But I was curious about how much of our shrinking world actually celebrates this non-holiday. According to the American Greeting Card company, one billion valentine cards are sent each year. This makes Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion are sent for Christmas.)
      Clearly, people think love is the singularly most important aspect of life. I’m inclined to agree. Even Christmas cards are about love. We want to keep in touch whether we can be together or not.
      Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages with written greetings appearing around 1400. In the 1840s commercial cards in the US were designed by Esther Howland, known for her elaborate creations with real lace (handmade in those days), ribbons and colorful pictures.
      There are conflicting stories about how it all began, but the most popular legend focuses on a priest named Valentine. Roman Emperor Claudius II had decided that single men made better soldiers than those with families. He outlawed marriage for young men, but Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius, marrying young couples on the sly. Around 270 AD he was put to death for his impudence.
      The Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day in an effort to “christianize” the pagan Lupercalia fertility festival. All the young women would place their names in a big urn, and each of the city’s bachelors would choose a name. These matches often ended with marriage. However, the ancient Roman lottery for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed in 498 AD. To replace it, February 14 was deemed St. Valentine’s Day.
      It was the development of valentines that brought together ancient symbols with modern cards. Because mid-February is also the beginning of mating season for birds, once greeting cards appeared, many of them included birds. And in Greek and Roman mythology Cupid, the child-like, winged deity, was believed to have been the son of the goddess of love. It is said that if Cupid’s arrow hits you, you will fall hopelessly in love with the next person you meet, or the person you are with. On Valentine’s Day, choose your company carefully.
      For all 53 years of their marriage, my father, like most men in Western society, gave my mother romantic cards, chocolates and roses. Do they do the same in other parts of the world, I wondered?
      Yes, particularly in Europe. There are minor differences. In Slovenia and Romania the day of love has been the 14th only in recent years.
      In Israel the festival of love usually occurs in late August following the Jewish calendar. In Iran the date follows a solar calendar, usually falling on the 17th. And Turkey celebrates “Sweethearts’ Day” on the 14th like us.
      In Saudi Arabia the religious militia, or mutawwa, harass shopkeepers in an attempt to stop sales of any symbol of Valentine’s Day, which is a bit odd. Roses have been a symbol of love in Saudi culture for a very long time. In their arid climate, roses are precious, as is true love. To add a card is not a large step beyond the giving of roses. But the mutawwa see it steeped in teddy bears, hearts, candy and other frills like red lacy undergarments. Nonetheless, as love gains popularity, the mutawwa are losing ground.
     India is fascinated with Valentine’s Day. It has replaced more traditional celebrations. Land of the Kamasutra, the most elaborate treatise on lovemaking, India’s tales are lurid and highly romantic. During the Middle Ages sexual suppression reigned. But now ancient traditions of celebrating love have found resurgence and brought with them the advent of Valentine’s Day.
      China has undergone many changes in the past few decades. Since many Chinese are shy, blind dates have helped them meet potential partners. Now Chinese often enjoy roses and chocolates on what they call “Boyfriends and Girlfriends Day.”
      Have we missed anyone? Ah, yes. The Latinos, the most romantic people in the world. In Brazil, Dia dos Namorados (day of the enamored) is celebrated on June 12th by the exchange of gifts, chocolates, cards and flower bouquets. The following day is Saint Anthony’s day. He is known as the marriage saint. In Colombia, Dia del Amor y la Amistad (love and friendship) is celebrated in September.
      In Mexico “La amistad es lluvia de flores preciosas” says an Aztec poem. Friendship is like a shower of precious flowers. February 14th is El Día de San Valentin, popularly known as El Día del Amor y la Amistad, the day of love and friendship. All over town there are balloon vendors offering colorful heart-shaped declarations of love, most with Te Amo, I love you, written on them. Red roses, chocolates and greeting cards are also sold. Couples of all ages go out for dinner on this special day. Being the romantic people they are, they could do nothing less.
      We hope yours was special too, this year and every year.