Valentine’s Day is a special day dedicated to love observed on 14 February annually. People express their love for each other on this day through gifts, chocolates, roses, etc. Although most people associate this day with expressing love and affection, Valentine’s Day has a deeper tradition. This day originally started as a Christian feast day honouring Saint Valentine.
Although this day is very popular in multiple cultures, the celebration of this day is banned in countries like Pakistan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Find out more about Valentine’s day, its history, its story, and how it is celebrated around the world here.
What is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s day is celebrated as an occasion to express your love towards your significant other or your near and dear ones. The tradition of this day dates back to centuries ago. There are many legends and martyrdom stories associated with this day. Valentine’s Day is also observed as Saint Valentine’s feast by many Christians worldwide.
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated across cultures and is experienced as a commercial celebration of love. Here, we have shared an overview of this day
Day | Valentine’s Day |
Date | 14 February (every year) |
Observed | Globally |
Significance | Valentine’s Day celebrates love in its many forms. This is also a day for the feast of Saint Valentine. |
Why is Valentine’s Day Celebrated?
Earlier, Valentine’s Day was celebrated by Christians to honour the martyr Saint Valentine by hosting a feast. However, after the 14th and 15th centuries, the idea of celebrating Valentine’s came to be associated with celebrating romantic love. In later centuries, people began sending tokens and gifts to their loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world. It is a day on which people freely express their affection for one another. Gift-giving and dining together have also become some of the popular Valentine’s Day traditions today.
How is Valentine’s Day Celebrated? - Valentine’s Week
People celebrate Valentine’s Day in many different ways. Brands around the world give special discounts on their products on this day. There is also a whole week dedicated to love before Valentine’s Day. We have shared details about Valentine’s Week here.
Date | Day | Details |
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7 February | Rose Day | Roses signify passion and affection. So, people give their loved ones or crush red roses on this day. |
8 February | Propose Day | This is the perfect day to confess your feelings of love for your crush or partner and ask them to be your Valentine’s. |
9 February | Chocolate Day | This is a day to share sweets with your loved one. |
10 February | Teddy Day | As the name suggests, people gift Teddy bears to their loved ones on this day. |
11 February | Promise Day | This is the third day before Valentine’s Day. On this day, people make meaningful promises to their loved ones. |
12 February | Hug Day | This day is about giving hugs and cuddles to your partner. |
13 February | Kiss Day | This day is about stealing a kiss or two with your partner. |
14 February | Valentine’s Day | On Valentine’s day, people express their love towards each other through gifts and other tokens. |
Valentine’s Day History
The history of Valentine’s Day can be traced centuries ago. The earliest tradition of this day is associated with Saint Valentine, who was a Christian martyr. It was after the 14th and 15th centuries that the idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day came to be associated with celebrating romantic love.
By the 18th century, people in Britain started sending their loved ones flowers, greeting cards, and chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Since then, the tradition of this day involves gifting each other. Today, Valentine’s has become a commercial occasion as much as it is a cultural and religious one.
Story Behind Valentine’s Day - Who was Saint Valentine?
- Saint Valentine was a Christian martyr who was imprisoned for ministering to persecuted Christians in the Roman Empire.
- Acknowledging the efforts of martyr, the church established 14 February as Saint Valentine’s Day.
- This day is observed by Christians to commemorate the ‘calendar of saints’.
- Many Christians also celebrate a feast on Valentine’s Day.
FAQs on Valentine’s Day
Q1. What is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is an occasion observed on 14 February every year to commemorate the efforts of Saint Valentine. It is also a day when people celebrate love by expressing their affection for their partner or loved ones through gifts and other such tokens. Valentine’s Day is a great occasion to share your loved and gratitude with others.
Q2. Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
In Christian tradition, Valentine’s Day is celebrated to commemorate Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr. On this day, Christians host a special Saint Valentine’s feast. Others celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving presents, flowers, chocolates, etc., to their significant others to express their love.
Q3. What is the story behind Valentine’s Day?
The story behind Valentine’s Day involves the martyrdom of Saint Valentine, a Christian who was imprisoned for ministering to persecuted Christians of Rome. Recognizing the efforts of Saint Valentine, the Church designated 14 February as Saint Valentine’s Day.
Q4. Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated on 14 February?
There are several legends associated with why Valentine’s Day is celebrated on 14 February. According to one of them, Pope Gelasius I designated 14 February as Saint Valentine’s Day to outlaw another pagan holiday. Another legend states that people in the Middle Ages believed 14 February was the beginning of the birds’ mating season.
Q5. How is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world. People have many different traditions for this special day in different cultures but here are some common Valentine’s traditions:
- Giving gifts, flowers and chocolates to your partner or loved ones.
- Spending quality time with your partner.
- Going out for a romantic date.
Q6. What are the 7 days of Valentine’s Week?
There are seven special days leading up to Valentine’s Day. The seven days of Valentine’s Week are,
- Rose Day (7th February)
- Propose Day (8th February)
- Chocolate Day (9th February)
- Teddy Day (10th February)
- Promise Day (11th February)
- Hug Day (12th February)
- Kiss Day (13th February)
- Valentine’s Day (14th February)