1, Valentine's Day is called Saint Valentine's Day in English (original meaning: "Saint Valentine's Day"). Literally, it is difficult to see the connection between Chinese and western appellations. There is a touching story hidden in it.
Legend has it that in Rome in the third century AD, the tyrant Claudius came to power. At that time, there were frequent wars at home and abroad in ancient Rome. In order to replenish soldiers, the tyrant ordered all men who reached a certain age to join the army and serve the country. From then on, the husband left his wife, the teenager left his lover, and the whole of Rome was shrouded in a long acacia. The tyrant was furious at this, forbidding China people to hold weddings, and even asking those who had already married to break their contracts.
However, tyranny cannot forbid love. Not far from the tyrant's palace, there is a very beautiful temple, where a respected monk Valentine lives. He couldn't bear to see a couple in Where Are You Going, so he secretly married them. For a time, this exciting news spread all over the country, and more couples secretly came to the monks for help.
However, it was soon known by the tyrant, so he flew into a rage and put Valentine in prison. On February 14, 270 AD, Valentine died of torture. In order to commemorate this brave man who dared to fight the tyrant, people later designated this day as "St. Valentine's Day", which gradually evolved into Valentine's Day.
2. Valentine's Day can be traced back to the early Roman religious festival Faun Festival (15 February). At that time, many wild wolves wandered in the forest outside Rome, posing a great threat to people and animals. The Romans believed that the faun could drive away these wild wolves and bring security to people. In addition, it is said that birds began to mate from this day. At that time, the custom was that in the activities held on the eve of the Animal Husbandry Festival (on the evening of February 14), each girl's name was written on a small piece of paper, and each young man drew lots from the box. After drawing, she became his lover. Later, due to the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor and the constant war, soldiers were forbidden to get married, while Valentine, a Christian, openly rebelled against the emperor's ban and married unmarried men and women privately, so he was arrested and imprisoned and beheaded in February 14.
Many years later, Rome became a Christian country, and many Christians who died for their beliefs became respected saints. In order to commemorate the martyr Saint Valentine, February 14 was designated as Valentine's Day instead of Faun Festival, which gradually evolved into February 14 in the west to send cards or gifts to relatives.
There is also a saying that St. Valentine, a young Christian missionary in ancient Rome, ventured to spread Christianity and was arrested and imprisoned, which touched the old jailer and his blind daughter and got their careful care. Before he was executed, Saint Valentine wrote a letter to the girl, expressing his deep affection for her. On the day when he was executed, the blind girl planted an apricot tree with red flowers in front of his grave to express her feelings. This day is 14 February. Since then, Christianity has designated February 14 as "Valentine's Day".
4. In ancient Rome, 14 February was originally a festival to pay tribute to Jonah, the queen of Roman gods. Jonah is also regarded as the god of women and marriage. The following February 15 was called "Lupsala Festival" to show respect for other gods under Jonah.
In ancient Rome, the lives of boys and girls were strictly separated. However, on Lupsala Festival, boys can choose the name of a girl they love and carve it on a vase, so that they can dance with the girl they choose to celebrate the festival. If the selected girls are interested in boys, they can always pair up and eventually they will fall in love and get married in church. Later generations gradually merged the festivals of February 14 every year. Valentine's Day is not only the best time to express love, but also the best time to propose to the one you love.