Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, everyone! This love-filled celebration will definitely excite many lovebirds and hopeless romantics alike. 14 February is a day to commemorate the wonderful feeling of loving and being in love. Thus, no negative emotions are authorised! Save that for other days to come. (We’re joking. Please be happy all the time, folks.)
Even though this festivity has been around the clock for many centuries, there is more than what meets the eye. Can you believe Valentine’s Day was initially not a romantic celebration?
Fancy to know more? Hop on, and let’s learn together!
Fun facts about Valentine’s Day that will shock you
1) It’s not a romantic festivity (initially)
What a surprise! Valentine’s Day wasn’t originally a heartwarming celebration.
Some acclaim it to honour St. Valentine’s death on 14 February. But there are other beliefs. It started from a Pagan fertility festival called Lupercalia. However, this celebration was on 15 February instead in ancient Rome.
It’s dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus and Roman founders Romulus and Remus. Animals were sacrificed, and women were smacked with animal hides. It was a practice to encourage fertility. Not so romantic, huh?
2) Love was finally in the air in the 1300s
Roman Pope Gelasius finally declared St. Valentine’s Day at the end of the 5th century. The fertility celebration changed to love and romance in the middle ages. A tradition was practised in France and England that birds began their mating season on 14 February.
3) Heart-shaped box of chocolates was first introduced in 1861
What’s one of the common gifts for this celebration? A box of the heart-shaped box that is!
It’s so interesting because this idea was made true by the son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury, Richard Cadbury! He intended to increase sales by packing the velvety treat in fancy boxes.
Richard introduced the first-shaped box for Valentine’s Day in 1861. Today, the number has surpassed over 36 million boxes every year! That’s a lot of chocolates!
4) ‘XOXO’ wasn’t initially ‘hugs and kisses’
Have you ever signed your letters or messages with X’s or O’s? Maybe you wanted to say hugs or kisses. But back in the day, it wasn’t what it meant today.
During the middle ages, X symbolised the Christian cross. Therefore, signing a letter with the mark meant a kiss of a promise.
Then it became so popular in literature, letters, and paperwork. It is meant to seal your message with a kiss. How sweet!
5) Lovebirds are real birds
Lovebirds is a popular figure of speech, which means two people being so achingly in love with each other. But did you know? It’s also a common name for Agapornis birds!
Agapornis belongs to the parrot family, originated in Africa and roams the eastern and southern regions.
Why do these birds get adapted to the romantic figure of speech? They travel in pairs! They are basically inseparable. No wonder a couple is called lovebirds!
There are more interesting facts about the celebration. Learn more here.
Since we’ve discovered some cool facts about the festivity, you’re now a Valentine’s Day guru!
Psst, psst. Are you planning something special for this tooth-rotting celebration?
Source: Good Housekeeping