Ten Valentines Day Factoids
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Posted by Maryan Pelland Jan 15, 2007 |
- What did cave ladies get for Valentine's Day? .....ughs and kisses.
- Valentine's Day might have come from Lupercalia, an erotic sort of Mardi Gras in honor of Juno Februata, the goddess of fevered passion. Put your name in a hat for this ancient Roman rite - have it drawn by a partner and pair up for, well, whoopy!
- Maybe it was in honor of Lupercus who protected people from wolves. Same deal, draw names, pair up - but for more innocent pastimes. Then the male partner was obligated to keep the female safe from animals for a year.
- Greeks say their ancients celebrated a month of marriages in February (or around then) that culminated in a celebration of the wedding of Zeus and Hera.
- American Greetings says, "Legend purports St. Valentine himself actually sent the first valentine greeting. While in prison, he allegedly fell in love with his jailor's daughter. According to the story, before his death, he wrote her a letter signed, “From your Valentine,” a message that is still in use on modern-day cards." hmmm - a bit self serving on the part of retailers? BTW - ecards are out-popularing traditional cards with every passing year.
- Some say card and chocolate companies cooked up the whole Valentine thing to spur sales.
- Well, the best I can do to explain why we give chocolates to symbolize love - chocolate creates the same chemistry changes in the brain that sexual pleasure does. And you won't get pregnant - not that we who are 50 plus would likely....
- While lots of people give roses for Valentines, florists will tell you the actual flower symbolizing February is the violet. But any man will tell you - he doesn't feel he'll get very far with a hand full of violets.
- Flowers all have a meaning when presented to a woman - like white roses mean pure thoughts, red are passion, white and red mixed indicate unity, and so forth. Here's an extensive list of meanings - maybe you can use flower language to forward your cause with a certain someone?
- Flowers are still the most popular gift, though romantic getaways, jewelry and lingerie follow closely. More men than women gift loved ones with Valentines.