Human remains as a present? Tomato-shaped Valentine’s Day cards? Men receiving flowers? Valentine’s Day is a bit mental isn’t it… Here are twelve things you might not know about the day of lurve.
1. The Middle Age Equivalent of Social Media
Back in Medieval times, they didn’t have the luxury of posting details of their other halves on Facebook. Oh no, they went for quite the forward display of affection by pinning the names of their sweethearts to their sleeves, inventing the famous term “wearing your heart on your sleeve.”
2. Cadbury were ahead of their game
The first chocolate box was introduced by none other than Richard Cadbury! Invented in the late 1800’s, today over 36 million heart-shape chocolate boxes are sold for Valentine’s Day. Should have trademarked that really, eh….
3. St. Valentine was actually a Gift Himself…
Not a great present really, but some of St. Valentine’s remains were gifted to Dublin preacher John Spratt following a sermon that went particularly well in Rome in 1835. The remains were put into storage and later were placed in a shrine which now stands in the Carmelite Church on Whitefriar Street. Personally, we would love some human remains as a Valentine’s Day present……
4. I wonder who sent this….
The tradition of not signing Valentine’s Cards actually dates from Victorian times. Back then, it was considered really unlucky to sign the card to your loved one and so the practice has continued right up to the present day. Well, for those who actually send Valentine’s Day cards. What’s a post office?
5. Tomato-Shaped Card Just for You…
We don’t often associate tomatoes with love but in the 1920’s it was acceptable to receive a tomato-shaped card as this fruit was known as “love apples”. Could they not have just sent a card in the shape of a red apple then? No?
6. Kiss me Quick!
The luckiest thing that can happen to you on Valentine’s Day is to get a kiss which will bring you good luck for the rest of the year. For those in relationships, this isn’t a problem. For the rest of us, see you in Coppers later yeah?
7. St. Valentine was all about the secret marriage…
There are a variety of stories about what Valentine actually did but the Catholic Church is a little hazy on the background of one of the most renowned saints. The most popular story is that Valentine was a bishop or priest who performed marriage ceremonies for Roman soldiers. Soldiers of the Empire were forbidden to marry while in service but Valentine defied the order and paid for it with his life. He was clubbed to death and beheaded.
8. What kind of bird did you first see on Valentine’s Day? Aiming for goldfinch here people…
This one is pretty important because the first bird you see today will tell you what kind of man you will marry. Foolproof. A blackbird means a clergyman, a robin redbreast meant a sailor, a goldfinch a rich man, a sparrow meant a farmer, a blue bird a happy man, a crossbill an argumentative man, and a dove a good man. If you see a woodpecker, RUN. This means you won’t marry at all. Some women may go looking for the woodpecker on the other hand…
9. Verona is the most romantic city of them all… Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo?
Every year, the city of Verona receives over a thousand letters and cards addressed to Shakespeare’s Juliet. Alternatively, a lot of guys with girlfriends called Juliet have just become REALLY lazy and not bothered looking up their address. Juliet. Verona. Sorted.
10. Women still buy flowers for their loved ones…
According to statistics, men still buy the bulk of flowers for Valentine’s Day, a whopping 73% of flowers bought are by men. However, women will buy 27% of flowers for the day. Not that men like them all that much. Flowers are often listed as the worst present a guy can receive. Sheesh, demanding much? Why aren’t you happy with your roses?
11. St. Valentine is the patron Saint of Epilepsy
Good old Valentine seems to be a bit stretched in his patronage and career however. He is often listed as the patron Saint of engaged couples, lovers and happy marriages, but also fainting, epilepsy, and plague. Oh and if you’re a bee-keeper, he’ll look after you too…
12. Remember, not everyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day…
You may hate Valentine’s Day, you may loathe the fact that you’re single and have to watch all your friends get lavish presents (we know you don’t think like that) but spare a thought for those who legally cannot celebrate Valentine’s Day. The event is banned in Saudi Arabia, considered a “shameful day” in Pakistan and in India they go as far as building massive bonfires for Valentine’s cards. Some continue to celebrate the festival in spite of the fact. A world without Valentine’s Day is a world with a bankrupt Hallmark…
