Y SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY : Y

by JENNY  (Feb 13, 2004)

A little  history

In the past, all lovers had to make their own card and compose their declaration of love. That was done anonymously...

In the Middle-Ages, the partner that each girl chose to be escorted when going out was called "valentine". He had to offer her a present.

It was said that, on Saint Valentine’s day, on the 14^th of February, some signs predicted ladies’ sentimental future...

For example, seeing animals was interpreted :

Y a squirrel announced to a girl that she would get married with an avaricious man who would monopolize all their fortune,

Y a goldfinch promised a marriage with a rich man,

Y a swan’s flight : a happy and peaceful marriage,

Y a robin : a marriage with a man wearing a uniform (soldier, seaman,...),

Y a sparrow : a poor man but a happy marriage,

Y a bat : a marriage with an athlete.

It was also said on that day that :

Y the first male name a girl reads in a newspaprer, in a book, etc... was the name of the man that she would marry,

Y to find a lost glove on a road predicted a future "valentin" with the other missing glove.

Historians don’t agree about Saint Valentine’s identity,  but most of them think that he can be associated to Roman "Lupercales". Lupercales were annual feasts, celebrated on the 15^th of February for Lupercus, the god of herds and shepherds. A kind of love lottery was organized. It consisted in drawing lots for girls and boys in order to form couples who would stay together all year...

Saint Valentine’s day is still love day but especially a day for ... tradesmen !! It becomes more and more commercial because they know it is quite important for some people. Now there are as many ads as for Christmas or Halloween.

In France it is only lovers' day whereas in the USA or in England, it is also a time for friendship. Indeed, in schools, all the children give each other cards with a nice friendly word.

The tradition was that a boy had to offer a present to a girl , but nowadays girls offer a present to their boyfriend. Ladies, you wanted sex equality, so....

For people who have not bought a present for their "valentin(e)", here is a little list of things which always please (lovers as well as tradesmen !!) :

Y a handmade card

Y an invented song or poem

Y the traditional bunch of red roses

Y a box of chocolates

Y perfume

Y an invitation to a restaurant

And finally, for the warmest :

Y a stay in one of the most romantic places, like Venice, Saint-Valentin (near Paris), Paris or on an island.

What about you ? Do you think Saint Valentine’s day is romantic or only commercial ?

Anyway, I wish everyone a very good Saint Valentine's day !!

And singles are advised to celebrate it with friends : that is less sad...

 

If you wish to react to this article, write to the editor.

Nowadays people are used to celebrating their love on February 14th, but I think it's stupid because people who love each other don't need a special day to love each other. If you are really in love with someone you must prove it every day and not only once a year. This is a commercial operation and a way to get more and more money for shop-keepers, but a lot of people buy gifts anyway. A lot of celebrations now are commercial and not festive, like Halloween or even Christmas ....

Marylou (LAT, Blois)

As you know, today is St Valentine's Day....  I think it could be very romantic to go to Venice to prove to your lover that you love him, or her. But even though it's a sweet day, I think it's not necessary to choose one specific day to say "I love you"!! But I also think that it's a beautiful day, even if this year I don't celebrate it with someone!!!...... 

Happy St Valentine's day!!!!!

Nadège (YGTP)

The article is very interesting because it deals with two aspects of this holiday.

For me (Grèg), it's a celebration of love and it's a good excuse to offer a present if you forget her/his birthday. But you can offer anything anytime, not just for St Valentine's Day. Take out your wallet !!!

For me (Damien), St Valentine's day is a commercial day created to sell more flowers and more perfume. I think it's better to offer a present anytime, because the intention is more important than the present.

Grèg & Damien (LAT, Blois)

I think St Valentine's day is more and more used for trade : last Friday (13th February), when I went downtown in Blois, I saw there were only lovers in the streets with many bags and packs in their arms, it was so nice...... And I understood why when I saw the shop windows: red hearts, red hearts, red hearts.....

Then in every shop there were G-Strings to celebrate that day.... So I think the present for St Valentine's day 2004 is G-STRING...!!!!! worrying !

To all men : don't give a G-STRING to your lover for St Valentine’s day. She will think you have bad thoughts. She will prefer other more personal presents. And if you have no ideas, ask her friends. But please ! not a G-string!!!!

St Valentine's day is lovers’ day. But if you are real lovers you don't need any special day to show you love your partner. Every day is St Valentine... Think of it!!!

Anne-Lise (YGTP)

Feb 14, 2006

I think that St. Valentine's Day is one of the best times of the year. It's a national day of Love. I dont know about anyone else but love is one of the best things in this world. Love is what keeps this world going. Even if you dont have anyone like a Boy/girlfriend you still find out who really cares even if that is your parents or some other loved ones. There is always someone there you just have to take the time to just sit back and let them come to you.

Samantha (Lee's Summit, Mo, USA)