Antique Valentine Moving card from 1898. Author’s collection.

This coming Saturday, the 14th of February 2015, is Valentines Day again.
Every year on Valentine’s Day floral and chocolate gifts speak the language of
lovers. Wrongly it is assumed that this day was invented by florists and chocolatiers.

Valentine’s postcard from the 1920’s. Authors collection.

Origin of Valentine’s Day.

Saint Valentine’s Day, also known as Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine,
is a holiday observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries
around the world, although it is not a holiday in most of them.

St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration on a early Christian saint named
Valentinus. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that
belonged to February 14.

Saint Valentine of Terni oversees the construction of his basilica at Terni,
from a 14th-century French manuscript. Terni is located in Umbria, Italy.

According to tradition, the roots of Valentine’s Day dates back to Bishop Valentine of
Terni. He is said to have blessed the 3rd century AD in love with flowers and carried
out against the will of the state ceremonies. His execution was allegedly held on
14 February. However, there are various speculations on St. Valentine and until today
realities of that time could not be accurately determined.

Saint Valentine (Latin: Valentinius) is a widely recognized third-century Roman saint,
commemorated on February 14 and associated since the High Middle Ages with a tradition
of courtly love. Precise dates born and died are unknown. His execution is dated to 269bc.

Another origin theory refers to an ancient Roman festival of the goddess Juno, patroness
of marriage. On this day it was common for Roman husbands to
give their wives flowers. The not yet married, young women could be, however, make a
love oracle in the temple of the goddess Juno, to find the right man for life.

Some Valentine’s Day traditions:

                     
Sending postcards to Valentine’s Day was as attractive as sending Birthday cards or Christmas cards.
These, here shown, four cards are „undivided back“ cards, and posted during 1904 and 1905.
Authors collection. Click on the pictures to super size.

In Asia :

The Chinese counterpart of the Valentine’s day is named Quixi and falls on the seventh
day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. According to legend, it is the
evening when the „shepherd boy“ and the „weaver girl“, two stars separated by the
Milky Way, can be together for one night.

In Europe :

Couples in love in some countries like Italy and Hungary give each other a padlock on
Valentine’s Day, on which they write their initials. Then they lock the locks off at a
bridge railing and throw the key into the river – as a symbol of eternal love. In Italy
they had to close an old bridge already for this kind of celebration, because of the weight
of padlocks which used to threaten the bridge collapsing.

                      
These shown 4 cards are extremely rare and designed by Richard Felton Outcault (14.01.1863 – 25.09.1928)
He was an American comic strip writer-artist. He was the creator of the series „The Yellow Kid“ and „Buster
Brown“, and he is considered the inventor of the modern comic strip. Magnificent drawn Valentine Cards.

In America :

In the US state of Colorado, there is a town called Loveland, where all love post for
Valentines day will be answered, and send back hand stamped to the sender.

In most countries of the world :

Giving small gifts or chocolate to the loved ones is widely spread.
Still, most people send or give flowers as a gift, especially Valentine’s day is very
early in spring time, flowers starting to bloom and people are keen to have fresh colors.

Not to many people think about and know about different meanings of different flowers.
But you should do, before using them as a gift. Here I show some examples.

Meanings of Flowers:

There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers.
Book of Flowers, London, 1875.

Meaning of Tulips: Perfect Love.

Like roses, tulips generally symbolize perfect love, but the exact meaning can vary with
the color. Yellow tulips are for those hopelessly in love, for example. And romantics may
want to steer clear of white tulips. Though not particularly malicious, they symbolize
forgiveness, which may send the wrong message.

Meaning of Irises: Faith and Hope.

The gorgeous flowers are rightfully admired by many, including Vincent Van Gogh, who
captured them in his iconic painting. The flower traces the origin of its name back to
the ancient Greek goddess Iris, who was the messenger to the gods, and the link between
the heaven and earth. Irises continued to have great significance over the centuries. In
medieval France, irises were associated with the monarchy, leading to the Fleur-de-lis,
becoming the national French symbol.

Meaning of Gardenias: Purity and Joy.

Gardenias are a popular choice for necklaces in the Pacific Islands, and they’re used in
Hawaiian leis. On certain Polynesian islands, the flower indicates a persons relationship
status. If worn on the right ear, the person is single, if worn on the left ear,
the person is taken.

Meaning of Lilies: Celebration.

The highly fragrant, snow white casa blanca lily variety is very commonly used
for graduations, weddings, and other celebrations.

Meaning of Orchids: Beauty and Strength.

Orchids have long been treasured flowers all around the world.
From ancient China and Greece to the Aztecs, many cultures valued orchids for their
healing properties. While there are thousands of varieties that grow naturally,
certain species that are extremely rare, making those orchids highly coveted.
In ancient Greece, they were associated with virility.

Meaning of Alstroemeria: Friendship.

The vivid alstroemeria is the perfect bouquet to gift to a close friend. The leaves
of alstroemerias twist and turn, which symbolize how friendships mold and change over
time. Though more associated with platonic relationships, the flower can be given to
other loved ones with whom you’ve had a fair share of ups and downs but continue to
remain close.

Meaning of Sunflowers: Warmth and Happiness.

For you flower geeks out there, did you know that sunflowers are not a single flower,
but rather an inflorescence? Each head is actually many flowers that grow in a group.
So go ahead and buy just one and say that it’s a bouquet. You’re technically correct!
The flower signifies loyalty and longevity as well as happiness.

Meaning of Carnations: New Love.

The instantly recognizable blooms are widely beloved, and in many parts of the world
surpass roses in popularity. Carnations are also associated with a mother’s love and
are a common choice for Mothers Day, as well as Valentine’s Day.

Meaning of Daisies: Beauty and Innocence.

Daisies are quite common and easy to grow. In fact, there are over 22,000 different
species of the flower. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon “daes eage” which translates
to “day’s eye”. The moniker comes from the daisy’s unique feature of opening when the
sun is out. Victorian England’s „language of flowers“ gave daisies their connotation of
beauty and innocence.

Meaning of Roses: Romantic Love.

Red roses are perhaps the most iconic symbol of love when it comes to flowers. In the
seventeenth century, roses were so valuable that the blooms functioned as legal tender.
Among royalty. But the link between romance and the red rose stretches even further back
in history. Ancient Greek culture associated the flower with Aphrodite, the goddess of
love. Unsurprisingly, red roses are the most popular choice in flowers for Valentine’s Day.

Meaning of Daffodiles: New beginning.

Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring.
Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in
England, because of their long association with Lent, they’re known as the “Lent Lily.”

Meaning of Bluebells: Humility and Gratitude.

Bluebells have long been symbolic of humility and gratitude. They are associated with
constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. Bluebells are also closely linked to the realm
of fairies and are sometimes referred to as „fairy thimbles.“ To call fairies to a convention,
the bluebells, also named wild hyacinth, would be rung. Try it !!

In case you can’t decide which flowers to take, such a wonderful bouquet of mixed flowers will do too.

The above shown flowers named in German:

Tulpen
Irises
Gardenien
Lilien
Orchideen
Inkalilien
Sonnenblumen
Nelken
Gänseblümchen
Rosen
Narzissen
Glockenblumen

Vintage Valentine’s poem card from the 1930’s. Authors collection.

The above shown flowers named in Spanish:

tulipanes
irisis
gardenias
lirios
orquideas
alstroemerias
girasoles
claveles
margaritas
rosas
narcisos
campanillas