What is celebrated on Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day. Short story. Traditions. Valentine's Day in different countries

There is no sadder story in the world ... than the story of a kind Catholic priest who gave his life for the reunion of couples in love. Yes, yes, the name of this priest was Valentine, and the story is very, very old. Long ago, in the 3rd century, the cruel emperor Claudius II, warlike and evil person. Wanting to strengthen his army and make it even more numerous, Claudius issued a decree forbidding the Romans to marry. The strict ruler believed that family ties make a man sentimental and soft, which prevents him from being a good, merciless warrior.

The only hope of passionate lovers was a young priest named Valentine. Having a sensitive heart and kind soul, he, ignoring the imperial decree, secretly married lovers. Using the inviolability of the church, Valentine arranged meetings for lovers, helped them exchange passionate letters. Upon learning of such illegal activities of the priest, Claudius issued a cruel decree, sentencing Valentine to imprisonment and death. While in prison, Valentine saw the young daughter of the jailer and was struck by her beauty and tenderness. The girl, having learned who Valentine is and why he was sentenced to death, decided to meet him and ... fell in love. Every day, lovers exchanged tender letters in which they declared their love to each other, made compliments and vowed to be together forever.

The execution of the criminal priest was scheduled for February 14, 270. On this day, Valentine wrote the last letter to his beloved, in which there were no confessions, no compliments, no promises. The note included only two words: "Your Valentine." No other words were needed to say goodbye to the lovers. So this short note became a famous symbol of eternal love, devotion and fidelity, which became known as a Valentine.

The day of the execution of the Christian priest, who helped loving hearts to find happiness, became the day of the holiday of all lovers. On this day, all people talked to each other about their feelings, wrote Love letters and gave flowers. Later, when a Roman priest named Valentine was canonized by the church, February 14 became known as Valentine's Day. It is said that the ashes of the priest were buried in the Roman church of Saint Praxidis. Believers began to call the gates of this church the gates of Valentine. Having passed through them, the couple in love, as it were, received the blessing of Valentine.

Valentine's Day- the patron saint of all lovers - a Catholic holiday. He came to us quite recently, but in this short time he managed to fall in love with many. Despite the fact that this holiday is celebrated on a frosty winter day - February 14, when in our country there is a real winter weather, frost is cracking and snowstorms are sweeping, the atmosphere on this day is very hot. As if at the behest of a romantic Valentine, on this day even the most serious and busy people find time to smile, remember their soulmate and remind them of their love. Happy Valentine's Day is congratulated by everyone around, because not a single person can live without love, regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation and social status.

Catholics have a lot of legends, beliefs, rituals associated with this day. It is believed that on this day, Valentine descends from heaven and connects all the halves that roam the world in search of each other. Traditionally, February 14 is considered the day romantic dating, declarations of love and, of course, weddings. A couple who get married or married on this day will be under the patronage of St. Valentine all their lives. Their relationship will be reliably protected from quarrels, conflicts and misunderstandings, and love will always reign in their house!

Also on this day, not a single declaration of love remains unanswered.. Lovers on this day are especially eloquent, passionate and attractive. If on Valentine's Day you give the object of your adoration a Valentine card with an ardent declaration of love, he will definitely respond to your feelings. And if your relationship has already been tested, then a romantic card in the form of a heart will become a talisman against parting.

Since ancient times, people have noticed that on February 14, despite the frost, the approach of spring is already felt, especially since this Catholic holiday falls just on the Orthodox Shrovetide week. B this day according to popular belief birds begin to look for a mate for breeding future offspring. In order to find out what your betrothed will be, you need to look at the sky.

To see a sparrow on this day is a sign of a poor, but kind and affectionate spouse.

A crow is a sign of a fisted spouse, with a complex character, but very wealthy.

Magpie, on the contrary, portends a generous and loving spouse.

The bullfinch denotes a romantic but not serious admirer.

The happiest sign on Valentine's Day is the goldfinch - this is the symbol of a millionaire spouse!

In Europe and America, many rituals are associated with Valentine's Day. On this day, you can guess at your betrothed, as well as engage in Eorozhba. One of the most simple ways find your one and only. On the night of February 13-14, you need to wash your face with cold water, comb your hair and, falling asleep, cast a spell: "On Valentine's Day, I'm waiting for the second half!" You can also make a romantic wish by putting a Valentine card under your pillow, and in the morning give it to your lover or lover.

How is Valentine's Day celebrated? All day on February 14, people write valentines and secretly give them to each other. There are many ways to do this! For example, in Italy, valentines are mailed in a kiss-sealed pink romantic envelope with no return address; the height of romance and passion in Spain is considered to be a message sent with the help of a carrier pigeon; in America, every house hangs a mailbox decorated with foil, pink paper and velvet hearts, into which everyone drops their love message. In our country, in most cases, valentines are given in person, violating traditions and rituals.

In the evening, lovers all over the world try to be alone. On this mysterious and magical evening, you can arrange a romantic candlelight dinner in a cozy little cafe away from prying eyes or at home. There must be red wine on the table - a symbol of passion, a lot of candles - a symbol of romance and, of course, a variety of hearts (on napkins, on a tablecloth, on cutlery, etc.).

Married couples spend the evening of Valentine's Day with family, reminiscing about the romantic moments of their relationship. Lonely people who have not yet found their love celebrate Valentine's Day in a big company, hoping to meet their soul mate that very evening.

Valentine's Day- a beautiful, romantic and very touching holiday. On this day, I want everyone around to be in love and happy!

Festive interior for Valentine's Day

Designers say that the interior is an important component of the state of the human soul. It is with the help of a competent, symbolic and sensual design of the room that everything can be achieved: attention, location and even reciprocal feelings. In order for Valentine's Day to be unforgettable and interesting, for your soulmate to feel your emotions and, if she is still far away, to find the right path, everything should be perfect on this day!

Pink color - the color of sincerity, tenderness and love - is traditional for interior decoration and gifts on Valentine's Day. Also, the colors of Valentine's Day are red - the color of sensuality and passion, and white - the color of innocence and purity. All the decorative elements with which you will decorate the room, whether kindergarten, school, office, apartment, bedroom, must be designed in these colors. In order to create a firework of feelings and emotions, you can use a variety of shades of these colors - from orange to maroon.

Now let's talk about symbols. The symbols of Valentine's Day are hearts, angels and doves. Also on this day you can hang everywhere air balloons, bows and bells. However, the most important attribute of Valentine's Day are, of course, flowers - a kind of indicators of intentions and feelings. Flowers should also be white, pink or red.

Decorating the interior for romantic date or parties with friends, you must definitely put your whole soul into this business.

Talk about the height of feelings You can use balloons. On Valentine's Day they should be in abundance! A variety of garlands look beautiful and solemn: lush and modest, long and short, tearing into the sky and hanging from the sky, plain and multi-colored. Unleash your imagination, and your holiday will sparkle with rays of happiness and joy. Garlands from balloons can be hung anywhere front door, on windows, on shelves, put on the ceiling or walls. It all depends on your imagination!

With the help of balloons, you can prepare unusual and very symbolic surprises for your loved ones. For example, a girl’s delight will never end if the entire floor of her room, as well as sofas, beds, wardrobes, shelves and other furniture, are strewn with snow-white balls like February snow. Such a declaration of love is sure to be remembered! You can surprise a man by tying a huge bunch of red helium-filled balloons to the roof of his car, aiming for the sky.

Having shown imagination, you can very effectively decorate a room with hearts from balloons. To do this, you need to prepare frames of a suitable size from thick wire and attach a garland of pink balls to them. Such hearts will decorate the ceiling of the dance floor or hall, which will host the celebration of Valentine's Day.

Tell about the seriousness of intentions, as well as beautifully make an offer, flower decoration will help. Flowers are the most ancient and most universal language of feelings. Remember, "a black rose is a symbol of sadness, a red rose is a symbol of love." On Valentine's Day, roses should be preferred. This queen of flowers will tell your soulmate about the feelings that you are experiencing without words.

For example, a white rose is a symbol of purity and purity of feelings, a pink one is of trepidation and romanticism, a red one is of passion and desire, a burgundy is of determination and predestination.

The simplest flower decoration is the traditional bouquet. beautiful vase, some wrapping paper and, of course, luxurious flowers are a wonderful decoration for any, even the most modest interior. You can also decorate the bouquet with large plastic hearts on thin long legs, covered with glitter, small hearts strung on a golden thread or wire, bows, curls from floral tape, figurines of doves and other cute little things.

Floral compositions made on special stands can become an original and more practical decoration of the interior. Such decorative elements are more durable, in addition, impregnated with a special aromatic solution, they will fill the room with a delicate romantic aroma. Experienced florists using special materials can make compositions in the shape of a heart or a wreath, which will add sensuality.

Talk about affection and warmth of relationships beautiful textiles will help. The very name of this holiday - Valentine's Day - speaks of its sensuality and tenderness, therefore, when decorating the interior, it is imperative to use fabric.

In order for a romantic dinner to be held at its best, do not forget to beautifully decorate not only the room, but also the table. beautiful tablecloth, embroidered along the edges with tassels, gold and silver sequins, shiny fringe, thin lace, looks simply amazing, however, if you decorate it with cross-embroidered hearts, doves or small flowers, it will add romance to your dinner. You can also decorate the table beautiful napkins from natural materials: cotton, linen or silk. Napkins must be pink, red or white with painted or embroidered hearts.

A variety of textiles, which, by the way, is at the peak of popularity today, creates comfort, soothes and sets in a romantic mood. You can decorate a room for a Valentine's Day party (if you plan to spend it at home) with beautiful heart-shaped pillows. You can buy them or sew them yourself from silk, brocade or organza. In order to create an atmosphere of tenderness and warmth, you can sew pillows from faux fur red, white or pink.

Talk about sensuality and ardor Candles are better than others. From time immemorial, people have attributed miraculous properties to fire to inflame hearts and provoke passion. Today it is quite clear that there is nothing surprising in this.

Just in the flickering of candles, in subdued light, everything seems somehow mysterious, inviting and a little burning.

Today, a variety of candlesticks are in fashion again - in the style of antique candelabra and in best traditions avant-garde, floor, wall and table, copper, bronze, gilded and silver plated. Candlesticks can be placed in the corners of the room or hung on the walls, if the party promises to be crowded, for a narrow company and two lovers, candlesticks placed on the table will be ideal.

In order to make the interior passionate and mysterious, it is better to use a large number of small candles. For romantic dinner small scented candles (such as those scented with strawberries or roses) can be placed directly on the floor to create the feeling of a light white cloud. It is interesting to decorate a festive interior with a variety of figured candles: in the form of a heart, in the form of an asterisk, in the form of a flower, etc. Such candles can be placed on the window so that their light is a beacon for a lover.

Candles reflected in champagne flutes look fabulously beautiful. If this drink is not on your table, then it is quite possible to replace it with any carbonated drink, such as lemonade. Like magical talismans, candles floating in a wide dish of water strewn with red rose petals will decorate your table.

For people who do not like to look for romantic overtones in household items, you can prepare special decorations.

The party space will become more playful and perky if you hang colorful and bright posters with romantic rhymes, original declarations of love, the names of the couples present or funny sayings like "Love is ...". The garlands hung from the ceiling with inscriptions, for example, look like this: “Well, who else wants to be wounded by Cupid’s arrow?” etc.

To celebrate Valentine's Day in a team consisting of a large number people (for example, a school, college, institute, etc.), you can prepare a mailbox in which each person can drop their congratulations. In order for the declaration of love to be anonymous, each card must be put in an envelope, writing only the name of the person to whom it is intended. The box can be opened at a festive evening or the next morning.

Also, white cotton wool clouds strung on thin threads stretched all over the ceiling can become a wonderful and unexpected decoration for an office or any other non-residential premises for Valentine's Day. Such decoration will remind you that there are more important things in the world; than work, things - love, tenderness and affection.

Valentine's Day is a joyful and tender holiday. This is the day of love and happiness, the day of romantics and lovers. Everything that you do on this day should be subject to the main rule: go from the depths of your soul, from a pure heart!

Of course, Valentine's Day is the most romantic holiday when you can express your feelings to another person and get recognition in return. Everyone exchanges gifts, sweets and cards with tender words of love. Let's plunge into the history of this holiday together and remember why Saint Valentine became the patron saint of loving hearts and what he did for all lovers. There is a sad and at the same time beautiful legend about the origin of this holiday. True, she has several different versions.

The first mention of Valentine's Day

Version one

The story of Saint Valentine began in ancient Rome. He was a young Roman priest who, even under pain of death, helped lovers become legal spouses and secretly betrothed them. The thing is that in those distant and harsh times, all single men were soldiers of their state and its ruler Julius Claudius II forbade them to marry. He believed that in this way they would better fight for new lands, and would not be distracted by thoughts of family and beloved wife. Soon the authorities nevertheless found out that Saint Valentine was violating the ban, and he was sent to prison and sentenced to death. While in prison, he himself met his love, she turned out to be the beautiful daughter of one of the guards - Julia. It was to her that the first valentine was written, in order to express his feelings, the priest in love wrote and gave a message for the girl, which he signed “Your Valentine”. Unfortunately, Julia found out about the bright feelings of the guy only after his execution, which took place just on February 14, 270.

Version two

There is another version of this story. According to which, the patrician Valentine was a Christian, and was imprisoned for his unknown ability to heal even the seriously ill. People did not forget his kindness and handed him notes with words of support and gratitude. By chance, one of them ended up in the hands of the head of this prison, and in the hope of a miraculous cure, he asked to cure his blind daughter of a serious illness. Saint Valentine managed to help her, and he himself was executed in the morning. The girl eventually saw the light and became a beauty of extraordinary beauty.

Fertility Festival

According to another legend, the history of Valentine's Day began in ancient pagan times. In order to increase the birth rate, people arranged unusual holiday eroticism and fertility. It was held in ancient Rome and was called the Lupercalia festival in honor of the fertility god Luperka (Faun). On February 14, the girls wrote down their names on paper and put them in a common basket. Then the guys, relying on their lucky chance, took out a note at random with the name of their future chosen one for the whole next year. And on February 15, a noisy crowd of naked men and young priests had to run around the sacred hills and whip everyone who gets in their way with belts. Women were especially willing to expose themselves to goat-skin rods, as they believed that this rite would certainly bring them fertility.

Where and how did valentines appear

The Lupercalia feast soon died out, but a similar tradition eventually revived in England. In the Middle Ages, young girls and boys chose their life partner in a similar way. They wrote notes to each other with names, and a relationship was born between the matched couples.

And so this romantic custom appeared, to exchange love confessions and notes. The peak of the popularity of valentines falls on the 18th century, when people gave each other home-made colorful cards with tender poems.

How Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world

In all countries, Valentine's Day is perceived differently, respectively, and it is not celebrated in the same way everywhere. But one thing remains unchanged, all lovers, regardless of their location, consider him truly theirs.

Rome is the origin of Valentine's Day. All Italians on February 14 tend to come to Verona and kiss the statue of the famous Juliet. It is believed that in this way a person becomes more successful in love. In Italy, Valentine's Day belongs only to lovers. Italians do not skimp on gifts on this day and present dear hearts to their ladies. Jewelry with diamonds. It is also traditional for Italians to give each other candies with hazelnuts on this day, each of which contains a declaration of love in four languages ​​of the world.

France is called the country of love and freedom for a reason. Indeed, on Valentine's Day, it is customary here to make a marriage proposal to your beloved! It is considered a great happiness to receive a box with a treasured ring from your chosen one on this day. The French also organize large-scale festivities on February 14, called "Une Loteried Amour", which in translation sounds like: "Drawing of love." Each participant of the holiday, regardless of whether it is a man or a woman, what age he is and what country he is from, must approach any open window and shout out the phrase: “Become my Valentine!”. Statistics say that alliances formed on this very day become very strong and durable afterwards.

In the UK, all the inhabitants of the country love this holiday so much that they send romantic cards not only to their soul mates, but also to all friends, relatives and even their beloved pets.

If you have been unsuccessfully dreaming of getting married for a long time, feel free to go to Canada! After all, only there, a girl who confessed her tender feelings to any man on February 14, in any case, will receive a positive response. Otherwise, a substantial fine is imposed on the man, which should be enough for a shopping therapy for the young lady after the refusal.

Americans celebrate Valentine's Day in a special way. A month before the holiday, tables are booked in restaurants, crazy romantic surprises are invented. Marzipans are considered a traditional gift in America for Valentine's Day.

For Russia, this holiday is quite young, because it appeared with us only in the early nineties. But this did not prevent him from gaining wild popularity among the Russian people and will fall in love with everyone. After all, even at school, children willingly exchange cards and confessions on February 14th.

Traditions and signs of Valentine's Day

• It is customary not to sign a valentine and even try to change the handwriting so that the loved one himself guesses from whom he received the message.
• Since ancient times, there has been a belief that the first person you meet along the way on this day is the one who is destined for you by fate.
• The couple should spend Valentine's Day together, you can't quarrel, and swear even because of the little things. Because it can lead to a breakup in the future.
• Happy hours are not observed, so if you are in love, forget about the hours on this day and enjoy the wonderful moments spent together.
• A traditional gift for Valentine's Day are paired items. It can be anything: figurines, mugs, pendants, etc. The main thing is that half of the gift is always kept with you and not passed on to anyone, so your couple will always be strong.
• There are some signs that on a normal day would make us very upset, but on February 14 they bring only happiness! If you broke a mirror on Valentine's Day, don't be upset, it means that you will have a happy and strong life. family life. And if you forgot something when leaving home, expect some good news from your loved ones. Also, if on this day, your loved one turns out to be the first guest, then the whole next year you will be inseparable from this person.
• There are signs that do not carry anything good. For example, tripping on Valentine's Day can lead to separation from a loved one. To prevent this from happening, stomp several times in the place where you stumbled. Also on this day you can not lose personal belongings, so as not to lose a loved one. Be sure to try to find the lost item.

Do not forget that the most important gift is always attention, love and care. So it doesn't really matter what you present to your loved one on Valentine's Day, the main thing is sincerity and mutual feelings. Then you will never be able to separate some minor signs.

Very soon we will celebrate another joyful event - Valentine's Day. He came to us relatively recently, but confidently conquered our space and defended his right to exist. Both high school students and young people and even older lovers are looking forward to it - everyone is busy looking for a sweet one for their soul mates the day before, which HoroscopeGuru will help you choose.

Valentine's Day - the origin of the holiday

emergence this holiday goes into the distant, distant past. Two legends have survived to this day that explain its origin.

First legend

According to the first legend, back in 269, the Roman emperor Claudius II forbade his soldiers to marry while serving, as he thought that love would interfere in the conquest of new lands. But thanks to a young priest whose name was Valentine, secretly from the emperor, wedding ceremonies were held for young soldiers with their beloved. Of course, Claudius II became aware of this, and according to his verdict, the priest was sentenced to death.

While waiting for his terrible fate, the young priest fell in love with Julia, who was the jailer's daughter. The girl was unusually beautiful, but, unfortunately, completely blind. The priest Valentine managed to heal his beloved, and on the eve of the execution he sent her a farewell letter, which he signed - “Your Valentine”. This was the first Valentine.

Only 200 years later, by decision of the Pope, February 14 becomes Valentine's Day. From that time to the present day, young people send love messages to their beloved, which they called “valentines”.

Second legend

According to another legend, the patrician Valentine lived in Rome, who professed Christianity. He secretly converted those who wished to his religion and even married two. The guards detained them, and all three were executed. Patrician Valentine suffered for love, even though he himself, as a man from high society, could avoid execution.

Since then, these legends have lived among the people and through the centuries pass from generation to generation, inspiring people to fight for their love.

"Valentine" as a manifestation of sincerity of feelings

Everything on Valentine's Day loving people they can send a love note or show their affection in some other way: they usually give valentine cards, cupids, doves, sweets, roses, various sweets and other cute gifts.

This holiday is a great occasion to renew and refresh relations in the family, to confess through the “valentine” one’s feelings to an unapproachable girl or a guy who has long liked. Valentine's Day is a holiday of first falling in love, eternal love and high relations between people.

Valentine's Day: Everything you need to know about the holiday

From open sources

Valentine's Day has many fans and detractors. The former adore pink and plush paraphernalia and other "tenderness", while the latter see a marketing ploy and an element of mass culture in the holiday. To celebrate this holiday or not is an individual matter, but for now we will tell you where it came from

The whole world, and with it Ukraine on February 14 celebrates Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day. The holiday gained popularity in Ukraine relatively recently, about 15-20 years ago, and is now celebrated everywhere, without reference to religion, but rather as an additional reason to tell your soulmate about feelings and arrange something especially romantic.

history of the holiday

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine who were murdered. One legend claims that Valentine was a priest who served in the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men were better soldiers than those with wives and families, he forbade marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, challenged Claudius and continued to marry the lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for trying to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, the imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" after falling in love with a young girl, possibly his jailer's daughter. Before he died, he claimed to have written her a letter signed "From your Valentine", an expression that is used to this day. Although the origin of the legends about Valentine is still unclear, they all emphasize him as a sympathetic, heroic and, most importantly, romantic figure. During the Middle Ages, perhaps due to this reputation, Valentine became one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Saint Valentine From open sources

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in mid-February to commemorate the anniversary of the saint's death or burial, others argue that the Christian church may have chosen to place Valentine's Day at this time in an attempt to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of the Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to the Faun, the Roman god of agriculture, and the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.

At the beginning of the Lupercalia, the Roman priests gathered in the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been nursed by a she-wolf. The priests sacrificed a goat and a dog, then cut the goat's skin into strips, dipped them in sacrificial blood, and whipped passers-by with these strips. It was believed that the touch of the skin brings fertility, and women will ensure easy childbirth.

At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius outlawed the Lupercalia and decreed that February 14 should be celebrated as Valentine's Day. In the Middle Ages in France and England, February 14 was considered the beginning of the mating season of birds, and over time this day became a day of lovers and romance.

In the Roman Catholic Church of St. Valentine is officially considered the patron not of lovers, but of people suffering from nervous diseases: icons often depict Valentine in the clothes of a priest or bishop, who heals a young man from epilepsy. According to church tradition, at the grave of St. Valentina, a young man with epilepsy, prayed for a long time - and recovered.

In total, Roman Catholics have 16 Saint Valentines and two Saint Valentines. In 1969, the patron saint of lovers was removed from the calendar of saints as one whose historicity was questioned. However, in the modern calendars of the RCC, February 14 is marked as the day of remembrance of St. Valentine.

Eastern Rite Christians commemorate the three Saint Valentines on May 7, July 19, and August 12. As for the holiday of February 14, the attitude towards it is ambiguous: Orthodox priests warn that it is necessary to distinguish between bodily and spiritual love. the best way to prove the purity of their intentions, they consider going to the temple that day with their soulmate.

At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, in the then very popular home theater performances, one of the most beloved was a play based on the Old Kiev legend about Kiev lovers, who were helped to keep their love by St. Olga and St. Valentine.

"Valentines"

Traditionally, on Valentine's Day, people give each other various heart-shaped treats, flowers and small souvenirs. As the chronicler Samuel Pepys wrote in the 17th century, on February 14, lovers exchanged small gifts: gloves, rings, delicacy. The invariable attributes of the holiday are "valentines", red roses, doves and cupids. It is believed that the first Valentine's Day greeting that has survived to this day was written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife, while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London after its capture at the Battle of Agincourt. A few years later, King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a Valentine's card for Catherine of Valois.

From open sources

The first "valentines" were created with their own hands. The most talented wrote acrostics, and later in Britain they began to print collections of poems - lovers chose the best and copied them into a "valentine". With this, the production of "valentines" on an industrial scale began. This idea came from the American Esther Howland. In just one year, she sold $5,000 worth of postcards.

By the number of sales, "valentines" take the first place, second only to Christmas cards. Most of the "valentines" are bought by women, men "specialize" more in sweets, chocolates and bouquets of roses. In this regard, pragmatic people consider Valentine's Day a grandiose marketing ploy.

Signs

Once upon a time, girls believed in a belief: if a girl sees a robin bird that day, then she is destined to marry a sailor, if a sparrow, then a poor man sued her, with whom she would still find her happiness, and the goldfinch promised a millionaire husband.

In Japan, this day is considered a holiday for men, respectively, and gifts on February 14 are most often received by the stronger sex. Traditionally, women give gifts to men (usually confectionery, chocolate, purchased or homemade) as a token of appreciation and love. And there are two types of chocolate. The first is called giri-choco and is given to friends, colleagues and male relatives. This gift does not carry a love connotation and is perceived by the recipients as a courtesy. The second type of chocolate, the so-called hon-mei, is bought only for beloved men: husbands or boyfriends. Often such chocolate is made individually.

In Poland, it is customary to visit the Poznan metropolis on February 14, where the relics of St. Valentine rest, and his miraculous icon hangs above the main altar. Lonely people, making a pilgrimage to this metropolis, believe that Valentine will help them find a soul mate. In addition, there is a belief that you need to ask the name of the first man who met an unmarried girl on Valentine's Day in order to find out the name of the future groom.

In Wales, before the holiday, lovers carve a wooden spoon, decorate it with hearts, keys and keyholes, and give it to each other. Such a gift literally means: "You found the way to my heart."

In Denmark, men send unsigned "valentines" to their girlfriends. If the girl guesses who the sender is, she should send him a chocolate egg in response to Easter.

This interesting information for children about the history and traditions of Valentine's Day

This holiday came to Russia several years ago. And now Valentine's Day is celebrated almost as joyfully and widely as New Year. Valentines - little heart cards, sent by traditional mail, emails and text messages, romantic gifts, declarations of love and endless kisses - this is what accompanies this holiday. And it's great that this holiday is now with us.

It is believed that Valentine's Day has existed for more than 16 centuries, but the celebrations of love have been known since even earlier pagan times. And in Rus' there was a holiday of lovers. It was celebrated not in winter, but at the beginning of summer. This holiday was associated with the legendary love story of Peter and Fevronia and dedicated to Kupala, the pagan Slavic god, the son of Perun.

From the history of the holiday

The holiday also has a specific "culprit" - the Christian priest Valentine. This was around 269. At that time, the Roman Empire was ruled by Emperor Claudius II. The warring Roman army needed many soldiers for military campaigns. And the emperor believed that the main enemy of his grandiose military plans were married legionnaires who thought more about how to feed their families than about the glory of the Roman Empire. In order to preserve the military spirit in the army, Claudius II issued a decree forbidding legionnaires to marry.

But no decrees can stop love! Fortunately for the legionnaires, there was a man who, not fearing the imperial wrath, began to secretly marry them with their beloved. It was a priest named Valentine from the Roman city of Terni. Probably, Valentine was a great romantic. He not only entered into marriages, but also reconciled those who quarreled, helped them write love letters. At the request of the legionnaires, he gave flowers and gifts to their beloved ones. The emperor, learning about this, sentenced the priest to death. Valentine himself was in love with the jailer's daughter. On the day of his execution, he wrote a farewell letter to his beloved and signed it "Your Valentine". The girl read the letter after the execution.

Whether all this is true or fiction, but it is thanks to this story that it was customary to write love notes on Valentine's Day - valentines. And on this holiday they like to arrange weddings and get married. It is believed that this will be the key to eternal love.

This holiday is very personal. If you want to make friends with someone, it doesn’t matter if it’s a girl or a boy, but you are embarrassed to offer your friendship, this day is for you. Write him or her a postcard with a friendship proposal and your phone number. You don't need to sign the postcard. It must be transmitted secretly, imperceptibly. If they call you, then they want to be friends, and if not, then it’s not destiny.

For your family, this day can also be made full of good surprises. On the eve, cut out of paper, preferably red, small hearts. Write your wishes and confessions on them.

For example: “Dear daddy, I love you very much. I like spending time with you. Let's go to the zoo together on Sunday”, “Beloved grandmother, you cook the most delicious pancakes in the world! You have golden hands!”, “Dear mommy! You are the most beautiful in the world! And you are the most kind and gentle. I love you so much!" etc.

These valentines should be discreetly placed in everyone's pocket or purse. Or attach it to the bathroom mirror. Here your imagination will help you.

You will give your loved ones not only good wishes, but also good mood for the whole day !

How is Valentine's Day celebrated in other countries?

In Japan, the most common gift on this day is chocolate.

It is noteworthy that Japanese men receive more gifts than women. And not only chocolate, but also lotions, wallets and other men's gifts.

In France, it is customary to give jewelry on Valentine's Day. These are the generous and passionate French!

In England, unmarried girls on February 14 get up before sunrise and look out the window at passers-by. According to legend, the first man they see is the betrothed.