Happy Valentine's Day
Everybody loves St. Valentine’s Day, and we at all things chocolate are no exception, maybe it is because it is yet another excuse to indulge in chocolate loveliness.
Whether or not you are romantic you cannot escape the fact that it is fast approaching Valentine’s Day. Shops are filled with huge balloon hearts and there are teddies that declare, “I Love You” everywhere.
But have you ever asked yourself why do we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day and just what did Valentine have to do with romance and love?
Who was St. Valentine?
Did you know that there are many different legends that surround the true St. Valentine and that there may have been several martyrs named St. Valentine?,
The Catholic Church recognizes three saints named Valentine, all of whom were martyred for their faith.
The one that seems the most consistent is St. Valentine of Rome; he was a priest under the rule of Emperor Claudius II in about 270AD.
Emperor Claudius II decreed that men were not allowed to marry as he felt that married men would not want to leave their wives and go into battle.
Valentine, a young bishop from Interamna, continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
When Claudius discovered that Valentine was defying his decree, he had the bishop seized and brought before him.
When Valentine refused to change his views and renounce Christianity, he was put in prison to await execution.
It is supposed that on the 14th February, Valentine was brutally beaten and beheaded.
Where does, "From Your Valentine" originate?
According to legend while awaiting his execution in jail, Valentine fell in love with the blind daughter of his jailer and God granted Valentine the power to restore the young girls’ sight.
On the eve of his execution, Valentine wrote a farewell note to his sweetheart and signed it with those now famous words, “From Your Valentine."
Who Wrote the First Valentine's Verse?
The first written valentine verse is usually attributed to the imprisoned Charles, Duke of Orleans, in 1415. He reportedly passed his time by writing romantic verses for his wife.
By the 16th century, written valentines were commonplace and by the 17th century, it was a widespread tradition in England and other Western nations for lovers to exchange gifts and notes on this day.
Why Do We Give Red Roses on Valentines Day?
The red rose, believed to be the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, became universally understood to represent romantic love. It quickly became popular to give red roses on Valentine's Day during Victorian times when flowers were sent and the colour of the flower represented a message for example Yellow meant Remembrance and red meant love whole messages could be sent via a bouquet of flowers!
Ideas for a Romantic Valentine's Chocolate Dinner
What could be nicer than surprising your loved one with a delicious romantic dinner for two this Valentine's Day.
