Valentine's Day

What is the origin of Valentine's Day? Valentine was a Christian priest who lived in Rome in the third century. The emperor, Claudius II, believed that single soldiers would be better than married soldiers so he did not allow(1) his soldiers to marry. Valentine celebrated marriages in secret but, one day, he was caught(2) and sent to prison. In prison, he became friends with the jailer’s(3) daughter and, before his execution, sent her a farewell note(4) signed “From Your Valentine”. Cards still say this today.

So how did the “Day of Love” start? There are two main theories. The first is that it was connected with the Roman feast of Lupercalia. This was a fertility celebration in honour of Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage. The day before the festival, each woman wrote a love letter and left it in a large urn(5). Then each man took one of the letters... and the woman who wrote the letter became his companion for a year. The other theory dates back to(6) the Middle Ages, when people realised(7) that birds started to mate(8) on the 14th of February.

The custom of sending cards on the 14th February started in 1415 with a Frenchman, Charles Duke of Orleans. He was in prison in the Tower of London and sent a love letter to his wife on that day. Nowadays, Valentine’s Day cards (or “Valentines”), which are often marked with an X instead of the sender’s name. The X represents a kiss. Many years ago, when people could not write, they signed documents with an X and then kissed the X symbol, in front of witnesses,(9) to show sincerity. In the past, people also used to write SWAK on the outside of their letters to their lovers. It meant “Sealed With A Kiss”.

Now you know everything you need to know to send an English Valentine to your sweetheart.(10) Don’t miss your chance;(11) it’ll be a nice touch!(12).

Here’s a typical Valentine rhyme:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Sugar is sweet,

And so are you.

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

(1) permitir, (2) ser pillado con las manos en la masa, (3) carcelero, (4) carta de despedida, (5) urna, (6) remontarse, (7) darse cuenta, (8) aparearse, (9) testigo, (10) enamorado, (11) perder la oportunidad, (12) todo un detalle