A bit o’ History on this Saint Valentine’s Day …

Saint Valentine’s Day, commonly shortened to Valentine’s Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines“). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Modern Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.

Chaucer’s Love Birds

The first recorded association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules(1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer.

Chaucer wrote:

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.

["For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate."]

This poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia.

Medieval period and the English Renaissance

Using the language of the law courts for the rituals of courtly love, a “High Court of Love” was established in Paris on Valentine’s Day in 1400. The court dealt with love contracts, betrayals, and violence against women. Judges were selected by women on the basis of a poetry reading. The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife, which commences.

Je suis desja d’amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée…

Cupid & AntiCupid

In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido, meaning “desire”) is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of goddess Venus and god Mars. In popular culture, Cupid is frequently shown shooting his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine’s Day. He is now in the current culture the personification of love and courtship in general.

AntiCupid is a recent mythical creation with no ties to the Greek origins of Cupid. Anticupid was “created” by the growing number of people that are sickened by the modern practices of Valentine’s Day. According to folklore and myth, Anticupid is the reason for relationship troubles and if one has made poor relationship choices then Anticupid is rumored to eat the soul of said persons during the weeks before Valentines day. This leads to large numbers of people that are angry and grumpy throughout the holidays and the months after it. Luckily, folklore suggests that Cupid works to restore the souls of Anticupid’s victims by eventually pairing them with someone with whom they can develop a successful relationship.

Modern times

In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own.

Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century.

In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts in the United States. Such gifts typically include roses and chocolates packed in a red satin, heart-shaped box. In the 1980s, the diamond industry began to promote Valentine’s Day as an occasion for giving jewelry.

–

Whether you’re happily married, in blissful relationship infatuation, or single with a fancy to mingle, I wish each and every one of you a beautiful and passion filled Valentine’s Day.

xox

__

When you need a little more than a smile or a cup of tea to get your week in motion, the Sassy Starter will be here every Monday to get your wheels turnin’ in a classy – sassy – fabulous sort of way

information & photo source: wikipedia