12 Weird Facts About Valentine's Day
Valentine’s week is here, and the exchange of romantic roses, chocolates, and gifts is all around the world. The restaurants and bars are filled with lovebirds. The gifting portal traffic is at its peak as lovers are looking for a perfect Valentine Day gift. But do you know some surprising facts about Valentine's Day?
Well, we have compiled a list of some weird, interesting, and fun facts about valentine’s day. So, while you plan for a special surprise, go through this list, and who knows, you might find some ideas! Read on!
1. Founded on an Act of Rebellion
The most well-known theory about Valentine's Day origin is that Emperor Claudius II didn't allow Roman men to wed during wartime. Saint Valentine went against his desires and organised mystery weddings, which implies this day was initially established on an act of rebellion!
2. Juliet Still Gets Love Letter
William Shakespeare's most popular story Romeo and Juliet has caught hearts for decades – to such an extent that Juliet still gets love letters on Valentine's Day! On every Valentine’s, the city of Verona in Italy (where the play was set) gets around 1,000 letters routed to Juliet. Not bad for somebody who's been dead for a long time!
3. Plant Decides the Valentine
This one is sure in the weird Facts About Valentine day list. In Germany, young ladies used to plant onions in a vase on Valentine's Day, and beside every onion, they penned the name of a boy. They believed they would wed the one who was nearest to the main sprout.
4. Wearing your Heart on your Sleeve
In the Middle Ages, youngsters would pull paper hearts with a name written on it from a container and choose that individual as their Valentine. The name they picked would be stuck to their sleeve for seven days. This is where the quote "wearing your heart on your sleeve" originates.
5. Valentine’s Day is the New Friend’s Day
While Valentine's Day is most generally connected with couples and lovers, that doesn't mean singles can't celebrate the event as well! Indeed, one nation has ventured to change the event into "Friend’s Day!" On February 14, Finland observes Ystavanpaiva which is interpreted as Friend’s Day. Here, blessings and cards are exchanged by friends instead of sweethearts.
6. Why Red Roses?
We all see red roses around the time of Valentine's Day – yet why? Roses, and red ones, specifically, have become a symbol of love and are accordingly intensely associated with the day. The origin of this convention extends as far back as Ancient Rome when the red rose was the most loved blossom of Venus: the Goddess of love. And in today’s time, couples exchange valentine gifts with each other, and they sure include red roses as well!
7. Valentine Cards All Around
The sales of Valentine’s Day cards is second most throughout the year behind Christmas. And surprisingly, teachers receive the largest number of Valentine’s cards. Yes! We are also as surprised as you are.
8. Spatulas and Keys
In Wales, it's a tradition to exchange "love spoons" on Valentine's Day. These ornately carved wooden spoons symbolize affection and commitment. In some cultures, keys are given as a symbol of unlocking one's heart.
9. Breaking Records with Kisses
.In 2011, a group of couples in Mexico City set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people kissing simultaneously. Thousands of couples gathered in the city's Zocalo Square to share a romantic moment and break the record.
10. Love Locks
The tradition of love locks involves couples attaching padlocks to bridges, gates, and fences as a symbol of their enduring love. While this custom has spread to many cities worldwide, it originated in Europe and is associated with St. Valentine's Day.
11. Roman Love Lottery
In ancient Rome, men and women would participate in a unique lottery on February 14th. Names of young girls would be placed in a box, and young men would draw a name to determine their partner for the duration of Lupercalia, a Roman fertility festival. Sometimes, these pairings led to marriage.
12. XOXO
The tradition of signing cards and letters with "XOXO" (meaning hugs and kisses) dates back to medieval times. Illiterate people would use an "X" as a signature and then kiss the mark to show their sincerity.
Hope you find these Valentine Day facts interesting. Celebrate this week of love with your special ones and share these weird, surprising facts with them. Also, if you haven’t bought a Valentine gifts for wife husband or your partner, then buy one ASAP! Happy Valentine’s week ahead!
