Valentine's Day 2024: Why We Celebrate Valentine's Day On February 14

Valentine's Day 2024:?Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is observed annually on February 14 to celebrate that special someone in our lives who we love unconditionally. But the festivities of the day of love begin a week before February 7. On this day couples send Valentine's Day cards and flowers and spend special time together to honour their love for each other.

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. However, Valentine's Day is not celebrated just for a single day. The festivities of love last for an entire week called "Valentine’s Day week." This year, Valentine's Week, also known as "love week" or "romance week," begins on February 7, which is celebrated as "Rose Day," until the last and most important Valentine’s Day on February 14. Before Valentine's Day, people also celebrate Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day, and Kiss Day.

Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14?

Every year, the world enthusiastically celebrates Valentine's Day with great passion and love. This special day serves as a poignant reminder to appreciate and rejoice in the most beautiful emotion we share – love. While much is known about the day, have you ever pondered the origins of its name and why it is observed on February 14?

Valentine's Day is believed to be named in honour of Saint Valentine, a Roman Catholic priest from the third century who met his demise on February 14, 270 AD. Some argue that the celebrations originated as an effort by the Church to 'Christianize' the Lupercalia holiday, a Roman festivity dedicated to Faunus, the god of agriculture, Romulus, and Remus, the founders of Rome. During Lupercalia, men would draw names of women from a box, and these pairs would be connected during the event, potentially leading to marriage. Pope Gelasius, in the late 5th century, chose the period of Lupercalia celebrations to commemorate Saint Valentine, linking Valentine's Day with love and romance.

Historical records suggest that the saint associated with the festival may have been more than one person. Valentine, who passed away in 270 AD, was canonised by the Roman Catholic Church and might have been a priest facilitating secret Christian marriages. Emperor Claudius II, who opposed the idea of men getting married, executed Valentine, believing unmarried men were more dedicated soldiers. Another theory proposes that St. Valentine could have been the Terni Bishop martyred by Claudius II outside Rome, with some even suggesting they might be the same individual.

The notion that St. Valentine appears in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales adds another layer of intrigue. Chaucer, known for blending real-world events with fictional characters, has led many to question the accuracy of historical records. Before Chaucer's poem referring to a person as "St. Valentine," there is little evidence of the existence of Valentine's Day.

What are the 7 days of Valentine?

Valentine’s Week Day 1: Rose Day, February 7

Rose Day is the first day of Valentine’s Week and is celebrated on February 7. On this day, two lovers express their love by giving each other roses.

Valentine’s Week Day 2: Propose Day, February 8

Propose Day is the second day of Valentine's Week and is considered one of the most special and romantic days. On this day, lovebirds propose to their loved ones or just express their love without any hesitation.

Valentine’s Week Day 3: Chocolate Day, February 9

Chocolate Day is the third day of Valentine’s Week. On this day, one partner pampers the other with a box of chocolates when your proposal is accepted or rejected.

Valentine’s Week Day 4: Teddy Day, February 10

Teddy Day is the fourth day of Valentine’s Day week; it is celebrated on February 10. You may give a Teddy to your girlfriend and ask her to keep it for life.

Valentine’s Week Day 5: Promise Day, February 11

On February 11, lovers promise each other to be together through the thick and thin of life. They also make promises to each other that they will always keep. The fifth day of Valentine's Week, or "love week," is celebrated as "Promise Day."

Valentine’s Week Day 6: Hug Day, February 12

The sixth day of Valentine's Week is Hug Day. On this day, people comfort their loved ones by hugging them. Hugging the one you love is a very happy moment.

Valentine’s Week Day 7: Kiss Day, February 13

The seventh day of Valentine's Week is celebrated as "Kiss Day." Kiss Day is all about giving kisses to make your bond stronger.

FAQs:

What is the real story of Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, the Saint Valentine of Valentine's Day was one of two guys preaching the good word in Rome in the third century. One of these two was martyred on February 14th 269, thus giving us the date for his eponymous day.

Is Valentine's Day for couples only?

While popular culture makes you believe that Valentine’s Day is only for love-struck couples, it’s a day of love, and that love can be for anyone. Thus, all kinds of love should be celebrated; whether it is for your parents, your siblings or your children.

What is the purpose of Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is known as the day of love and awaited very excitedly by every couple. Every year on February 14 people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends. Couples send Valentine's Day cards and flowers and spend special time together to honour their love for each other.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.?