Valentine’s Day - 14th February
Why is it that we celebrate Valentine’s Day? This is the most important day of the year for lovers and a gift to one’s loved one has enormous significance in our Western society. So who was he, this Valentine fella? Valentine was a Christian priest in Rome in the third century AD. At this time the Emperor Claudius was keen to enlarge the size of his army and decided that young men made better soldiers without wives and children to keep them at home. In an attempt to enforce this, he created a law banning marriages.
However, Valentine was fiercely against this as it was against his Christian principles and continued to marry couples in secret by candlelight. When this was discovered, Valentine was put in jail and sentenced to death, but he remained popular with the people and, to show support for him, many people visited him in jail and threw flowers and notes in his window. While in jail, he befriended the prison guard’s daughter and 14th February, the day of his death, he left her a note signed “Love from your Valentine”. Gradually, February 14th became the date for exchanging love messages and simple gifts such as flowers and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.
In the Middle Ages, young men and women used to draw names from a bowl to see who their Valentine would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for a week. The saying ‘to wear you heart on your sleeve’ originates from this tradition as it means it is easy for other people to see how you are feeling.
Flowers are traditionally believed to have different meanings, although these vary from culture to culture.
Roses
Valentine's day roses are sure not to disappoint your loved-one. If you hesitate on a type of flower or a colour, any florist will always advise to go for the Valentine's day rose by excellence: the red rose.
Red Roses:
Red roses not only carry more meaning than many other colour roses, they are also one of the most universal of all symbols for love. They are the definitive symbol for romantic sentiments, representing true love, stronger than thorns. The red rose has long symbolised beauty and perfection and this is true to this day.
Valentine's Day is primarily a lovers' holiday, and, as red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance and a time-honored way to say "I love you", a bouquet of red roses is the perfect way to express your deep feelings for someone special. Close family members may also be treated to red roses for Valentine's Day, but avoid giving roses of this colour to friends on Valentine's Day - that would simply convey the wrong meaning. Even the simplicity of a single red rose can elicit a powerful response. Whatever the occasion, red roses have an allure that is hard to resist!
Pink Roses:
Pink roses have a rich history that comes with being one of the longest existing roses known to us - in fact, pink roses have even been depicted in some of the earliest known pieces of art. When roses first began to be cultivated, the majority of them existed in various shades of pink, from the palest pink to the deepest crimson; prior to this, wild roses were the predominantly pink – and this is still true to this day.
As a symbol of grace and elegance, the pink rose is often given as an expression of admiration. Pink roses can also convey appreciation as well as joyfulness. For more subtle shades of meaning, choose deep pink to stand for gratitude and appreciation and light pink for admiration and sympathy. Pink rose bouquets impart a gentler emotional meaning than their red counterparts and as such can make an ideal Valentine choice.
White Roses:
There are myths and legends from different cultures relating to the origin of the first rose which is initially white in colour and is then miraculously transformed; the pure white rose was often depicted as being stained by blood, or made to blush from a kiss. This recurring theme did a great deal to establish the white rose as a symbol for purity, innocence and secrecy.
White roses are now used to express a number of different sentiments. Also known as the bridal rose, the white rose is a traditional wedding flower. In this sense, they are a representation of unity, virtue, and the pureness of a new bond of love. White roses are also a symbol for young love, which further strengthens the association, and makes them an ideal choice for Valentine’s Day.
A bouquet of red and white roses together signifies unity – again a perfect Valentine’s day sentiment and also often chose for an engagement bouquet.
Tulips
The meaning of tulips is generally perfect love or even ‘you are the perfect lover’ – what better sentiment for Valentine’s Day?
Like many other flowers, different colours of tulips also often carry their own significance. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love and white tulips are used to claim worthiness or to send a message of forgiveness. As one of the world’s most beloved flowers, a gift of tulips is a sure delight, enchanting in its beauty and simplicity. Last but not least, girls love tulips - they're flowers that are simple, beautiful, charming, unpretentious and uncomplicated.
Carnations
With its scientific name dianthus roughly translating to "flower of love" or "flower of the gods", depending on the source, this flower is one that has been revered for centuries. One of the world's oldest cultivated flowers, the carnation is appreciated for its ruffled appearance, clove-like scent, and extended blooming period. The meanings of carnations include fascination, distinction, and love. Like many other flowers, different messages can also be expressed with the flower’s different colour varieties.
Light red carnations, for example, are often used to convey admiration, whereas the dark red version expresses deeper sentiments of love and affection. White carnations are associated with purity and luck, and pink carnations are often given as a sign of gratitude. To this day, carnations remain a favourite flower choice for many different occasions. They are immediately recognisable flowers, and they possess a charm and allure that continues to captivate people around the globe. In fact, in many parts of the world, the popularity of carnations surpasses that of any other flower including roses and the red variety as a symbol of love make a perfect traditional Valentine gift.
Perfect choices for different occasions:
Proposal of marriage - A Dozen Red Roses or Single Red Rose
Engagement - Red and White Roses
Blind Date - Either a Dozen Pink Roses or a Bouquet of Tulips
Secret admirer - A Dozen Red Roses
Starting dating: Female Recipient - Pink Lilies, Male Recipient - Iris & Tulips
Unrequited love - Yellow Daffodils
