Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a day for lovers. The celebration of Valentine’s Day is mostly an American and British custom but some New Zealanders also like to give cards, chocolates or flowers. Flower growers are happy to encourage this custom because it means they sell more flowers, especially red roses. Some other businesses like to encourage this custom because they sell more cards, chocolates or red ribbons. The most popular symbol of Valentine’s Day is a red heart.
Nobody knows exactly when or why Valentine’s Day began but it was possibly in the 3rd century. Perhaps it began as a Christian celebration but it is not Christian now. Sending Valentine’s letters to a lover was fairly common in the 17th century in Britain. By the 19th century, printed cards were available and at the same time, postage became cheaper. The result was that sending Valentine’s cards became very popular.
Now in the US, children give Valentine’s cards to school friends and to their teachers. Most adults who send cards are women. Many cards are signed, “From your Valentine” so you don’t know who it comes from. That makes it more fun, trying to work out who admires you.
Other countries, like New Zealand, are starting to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb 14th. In South Korea and Japan, women give men chocolates and men give women a gift in return on March 14th.
Questions
1. Do we need a day to celebrate love?
2. Why is a red heart a symbol for love?
3. What other symbols are used for love?
4. February is summer time in New Zealand and a good time for roses. What gifts are popular in Northern Hemisphere countries?
5. What is good about Valentine’s Day and what is not so good?