It is that time of the year again, February 14th, where many people exchange cards, gifts or flowers with their special “valentine.”
This day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named after a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century.
Valentine’s Day is a time when people show feelings of love, affection and friendship. It is celebrated in many ways worldwide and falls on February 14 each year.
BACKGROUND
Did you know that Valentine’s Day is also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine? It’s celebrated annually on February 14 originating as a Western Christian feast day honoring early saints named Valentinus.
Valentine’s Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.
The day first became associated with romantic love in the 14th century, when the tradition of refined love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards known as “valentines”
WHAT PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD DO ON THIS DAY.
Many people around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day by showing appreciation for the people they love or adore. Some people take their loved ones for a romantic dinner at a restaurant while others may choose this day to propose or get married. Many people give greeting cards, chocolates, jewelry or flowers, particularly roses, to their partners or admirers on Valentine’s Day.
Hearts, the colors red and pink, roses, images and statues of cupids, and cupids’ bows and arrows symbolize the feeling of romance and love on Valentine’s Day. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow.
It is also a time to appreciate friends in some social circles and cultures. For example, Valentine’s Day in Finland refers to “Friend’s day”, which is more about remembering all friends rather than focusing solely on romance.
Valentine’s Day in Guatemala is known as Day of Love and Friendship. It is similar to Valentine’s Day customs and traditions countries such as the United States but it is also a time for many to show their appreciation for their friends.
Here in Mombasa, valentine’s day is celebrated in a more intimate way, perhaps different from the rest of the world. Many people especially the young people treat valentines as the day when buying flowers and chocolates become the order of the day.
During the whole day and probably valentines eve those in a romantic relationship always have a well laid out plan on how to treat their valentine with the availability of all the resources here at the coast.
As they do so, those who are single are only left with no option other than minding their own business forgetting that the day focuses on love, romance, appreciation and friendship whether you are dating or not.