Valentine’s Day …. a celebration of courtly love or a boom day for the card industry?
The origins of Valentine’s day are ancient. It is said that there was a Saint Valentine of Rome who was jailed for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who of course were originally were persecuted under the Roman Empire. The story goes that during his imprisonment, Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell.
But the day became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending cards which were known as Valentines.
So in the 21st Century how exactly do we celebrate this ancient tradition? Here are some curious facts that might amaze or amuse you:
America spent some $20 billion dollars on Valentine ’s Day last year, which may or may not be surprising, but they also spent $700 million on giving gifts to their pets!
Lace is often used on Valentine decorations. The word “lace” comes from the Latin laques, meaning “to snare or net,” as in to catch a person’s heart.
Here in Wales it used to be said that a child born on Valentine’s Day would have many lovers. A calf born on Valentine’s Day, however, would be of no use for breeding purposes.
Our contribution to the Valentine Day celebration is to extend our sale, so this weekend is your last opportunity to buy one of our fabulous mattresses at a reduced price. Do give us a call on 01269 598 491 and we’ll talk you through the very best option for you and your loved one (or perhaps a special treat just for you!)
