Celebrating Valentines Day 2024 Around the World
Valentine’s Day (or the Feast of Saint Valentine or Saint Valentine’s Day) is celebrated on February 14, 2024. The occasion is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it is not a publish holiday in most of them. This is a festival of romantic love. Popular symbols of Valentine’s Day are hearts, red roses, chocolate and Cupid.
What do lovers do during Valentines Day?
Many people celebrate their love for their partner by sending cards or letters. Approximately 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas. People also celebrate for occasion by giving gifts or flowers and arranging meals in restaurants or romantic nights in hotels.
People who would like to have a romantic relationship with somebody may use the occasion to make this known, often anonymously. Valentine’s cards are often decorated with images of hearts, red roses or Cupid. Common Valentine’s Day gifts are flowers, chocolates, candy, lingerie and champagne or sparkling wine. Many coffee shops, restaurants and hotels have special offers and programs on Valentines Day.
Public life on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day remains a working day, it is not a public holiday. Government organizations , stores, supermarkets, schools and other offices are still open as usual. Public transit systems run on their regular schedule. Restaurants may be busier than usual as many people go out for an evening with their lover, partner or spouse. Valentine’s Day is also a very popular date for engagement and wedding ceremonies.
Traditional Fork of Valentine’s Day
While the European folk traditions connected with St. Valentine and St. Valentine’s Day have become marginalized by the modern Anglo-American customs connecting the day with romantic love, there are some remaining associations connecting the saint with the advent of spring.
While the custom of sending cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts originated in the UK, Valentine’s Day still remains connected with various regional customs in England. In Norfolk, a character called ‘Jack’ Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person.
Symbols of Valentine’s Day
The most common Valentine’s Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small, winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people.
People who have fallen in love are sometimes said to be ‘struck by Cupid’s arrow. Other symbols of Valentine’s Day are couples in loving embraces and the gifts of flowers, chocolate, red roses and lingerie that couples often give each other.
Let’s celebrate Happy Valentine’s Day!
