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 Customs
And Traditions Of Valentine’s Day
On a broader look, you’re sure to come
across this—Valentine’s Day commonly includes pampering one’s
loved ones with loads of gifts and greetings, finding out the
right partners for oneself and spelling out those three
magical words ‘I Love You’ ! There ain’t any end to what one
can do on Valentine’s Day to make his/ her dear ones feel more
and more loved and cared for. Just remember, whatever you do,
dip it in love and you’re sure to come out in flying colors !
Because, this is a day for those in love, a day to love, get
love and live love. And it DOES NOT mean just lovers and
sweethearts; it includes all those close to your heart. So be
it your father, mother, siblings, cousins, friends, gramps or
just anyone whom you dearly love—all you got to do is open
your heart out to them, wish them a happy Valentine’s Day and
tell them how much they mean to you !
The commonest tradition of Valentine’s Day is going on dates,
looking for the right companion. This practice probably
descended from the popular English belief that birds chose
their partners on February 14. And today’s Valentine’s Day is
a time totally high on love—a time to whisper sweet “I Love
You” s, propose with a bold “be my valentine” or just flirt a
special someone with a few love-verses or some sizzling
kisses. People buy romantic gifts and cards for their beloveds
and sometimes they even get into the act of the day with
fragrant flowers, candlelight dinners or a romantic day-out,
whichever suits their pockets. Heart-shaped cards, candies and
gifts are all the rage in the market this time ‘round. Gifting
of cute heart-locks and keys are also quite a favorite on
Valentine’s Day, to say “You hold the keys to my heart”. Then
there’s the custom of sending romantic messages to him or her
on Valentine’s Day. Thousands of stores sell mushy love-notes
for this occasion to draw throngs of lovesick souls to their
doorsteps. So if you want to pamper your sweetheart with some
really romantic poems and songs, start queuing up now and
avoid the rush !
In Wales there was this tradition of gifting carved wooden
love-spoons on Valentine’s Day, while in some places of
England you’ll find the custom of special Valentine’s Day
feasting and baking of extra-special Valentine buns. Now, the
Italian and British maidens observe Valentine’s Day with a
very interesting custom. They stand by the window before
sunrise on Valentine’s Day with bated breath because they
believe the first man they spot would be their partners for
the rest of life. In Denmark, people send anonymous
love-letters to their valentines to keep the fun alive and
kicking.
One of the many other Valentine’s Day customs is the pinning
of bay leaves in the pillows by unmarried women on the
Valentine’s Day eve. This comes from a belief that they would
be able to catch a glimpse of their future husbands in dreams
if they pinned five bay leaves to their pillows and sprinkled
rose water on them the night before Valentine’s Day. Then
there’s also a popular Valentine’s Day practice of choosing
female-partners by drawing their names from a big jar. Men
pick a piece of paper each and the woman whose name comes up,
she becomes his valentine. In some occasions, men wore their
partners’ names on their sleeves and it’s probably from this
that the popular Valentine’s Day saying of “wearing the heart
on sleeve” came from.
There are umpteen customs and beliefs associated with this
most-awaited day of Love—Valentine’s Day. But not each is
followed everywhere. With locational variations, the customs
undergo slight modifications too. But the underlying current
is the same everywhere ! People wallow in their loved ones’
company, talk about being in love, enjoy being in love,
promise to be in love and feel love all ‘round as all colors
are put into the back-burner for the day and the only color
that reigns is red !
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