Kathmandu – Valentine’s Day is a time when people show feelings of love, affection and friendship. It is celebrated in many ways worldwide and falls on February 14 each year.
Many people see Valentine’s Day as a special day to express one’s love for another. Many people see Valentine’s Day as a special day to express one’s love for another.
these is Largely a Western tradition, the day is now celebrated in a major way in the eastern part of the world as well in countries like India and China. The day is named after a Christian martyr Saint Valentine and is celebrated to commemorate the love between companions.
The day is believed to have been first incorporated by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. There were numerous martyrs named Valentine in the early years who were martyred for several reasons. However, none of them were associated with love.
It was in the 14th century that a Valentine was associated with love and it is believed that the tradition of Valentine’s Day started with that particular Valentine.
However, there are several other theories as to the origins of Valentine’s Day. Some believe that the day was celebrated to respect a Saint Valentine when he refused to obey the orders of Emperor Claudius II.
Emperor Claudius II had ordered that young men should refrain from marrying, as he believed that after marriage, men no longer remain good soldiers. However, the Valentine in question did not obey this order and helped many young men marry secretly. The Valentine was thus killed by the Emperor and hence, the tradition of Valentine’s Day was started.
The day is predominantly celebrated in Western countries but is beginning to make its presence in other countries as well. On this day, lovers exchange gifts and cards to profess their love for each other while single men and women go out in find of their valentine.
Several clubs and discs organize special nights on this day which is accompanied by thumping music, candle light dinners and other romantic settings.
Many people around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day by showing appreciation for the people they love or adore. Some people take their loved ones for a romantic dinner at a restaurant while others may choose this day to propose or get married. Many people give greeting cards, chocolates, jewelry or flowers, particularly roses, to their partners or admirers on Valentine’s Day.
It is also a time to appreciate friends in some social circles and cultures. For example, Valentine’s Day in Finland refers to “Friend’s day”, which is more about remembering all friends rather than focusing solely on romance. Valentine’s Day in Guatemala is known as Day of Love and Friendship).
It is similar to Valentine’s Day customs and traditions countries such as the United States but it is also a time for many to show their appreciation for their friends.
Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday in many countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. However, restaurants, hotels and shopping centers may be busy around this time of the year.
Hearts, the colors red and pink, roses, images and statues of cupids, and cupids’ bows and arrows symbolize the feeling of romance and love on Valentine’s Day. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people.
People who fall in love are sometimes said to be “struck by Cupid’s arrow”. The day focuses on love, romance, appreciation and friendship.