Interesting Facts and Beliefs about Valentine’ Day
Valentine’s day is fast approaching and people all around the world are busy finalizing their valentine’ day gifts. Though lovers celebrate valentine’ day with great pomp and glory and go to any extent to prove their undying love towards their partner, there are certain facts about Valentine’ Day that not many lovers are aware of. Hence, here are some interesting facts and beliefs about Valentine’ Day.
According to old English belief, lovebirds choose their mate on this day. That is why couples are referred to as lovebirds.
* In the Middle Ages it was believed that the first unmarried person that you meet on the morning of Valentine’ Day would become your spouse.
* In the olden days, it was believed that if a woman sees a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day she would marry a sailor. If the bird were a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and if it were a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
* Teachers receive the most number of Valentine’s Day cards followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets.
* The most common Valentines Day gifts are flowers, cards and chocolates in heart shaped boxes. However, the best valentine gift definitely is the red rose. Red rose is considered as the flower of love as the color red signifies very strong romantic feelings. Moreover, red rose is the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
* The city of Verona, Italy where Shakespeare’ character Juliet lived receive around 1000 Valentine’ day cards.
* In the Medieval times, it was believed that those girls that ate bizarre food on Valentine’s Day would dream of their future spouse.
* In Singapore, on the 15th day of the festival, unmarried women gather near the banks of the Singapore River and throw Mandarin oranges into the river with the hope of finding a good life partner.
* In Wales, wooden love spoons were given as gifts on valentine’ day. These spoons were carved with hearts, keys and keyholes, which meant, “You unlock my heart!” Well, wooden spoons definitely are unique valentines day gifts.
* In Finland, Valentine’ day is known as Ystävänpäivä which means Friend’s day. Hence, it is a day of love as well as friendship.
* In Norfolk, England, people believe in a mystical character named Jack Valentine who would knock on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and gifts for children.