There are several legends about St. Valentine’s Day. One of the legends says that Valentine was an Italian bishop. He was thrown into prison because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman empire. The legend says that he was burnt at the stake.  February 14 was also a Roman holiday, held in honor of a goddess. Young men chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivals. St. Valentine’s Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care.  

Symbols of St. Valentine’s Day.

 There are many symbols of St. Valentine’s Day. It figurine and image of Amur or Cupid - ancient gods of love, who represented by the image of a young boy with a bow and arrow.

Symbols of love are roses. Bouquet of scarlet roses is considered silent declaration of love.

Pigeons. These birds are love symbols, and also St. Valentine’s Day symbol.

Rings. In most countries people during engagement and wedding are exchanged rings. Two - three century back in the St. Valentine’s Day was very popular to arrange engagements.

The symbolic value of gloves is not so great in our time, as before, nevertheless they remain the attribute of romantic relations. Hundreds of years back women carried with it lace handkerchiefs.  Soon laces became fully associated with a love-affair.

One of the main symbols of St. Valentine’s Day are Valentines Cards. People send each other Valentines Cards to make a declaration of love or congratulate on this holiday.

The English sent love massages to their pets, especially to the dogs, cats and horses.

In Britain the unmarried girls of February, 14 get up to the sunrise, became near a window and look at passing men. According to the tradition, the first man whom they will see, there is а groom.

Преподаватель  иностранного языка Гриценко Ю.В.