Valentine’s Day is the most romantic holiday celebrated around the world. Here are some interesting facts about it.
Photo of Valentine’s Day © danielmoyle
1. Sign X For a Kiss
One theory about how the letter X became a symbol for a kiss dates back to Medieval times. Many people couldn’t write their names so they signed ‘X’ as their signature and then kissed it to show their sincerity.
2. Red Roses
Red roses are a symbol of Valentine’s Day. This popular flower was the favorite of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
3. Who Gives The Gifts
While it is customary in many countries for a man to give chocolates and candy to a woman, in Japan it is women who give Valentine’s Day sweets and gifts to men.
4. How Many Valentines
More than one billion Valentine’s cards are sent around the world. This makes Valentine’s Day the second most popular day to send cards, after Christmas.
5. Oldest Surviving Valentine
The oldest surviving valentine dates is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife in 1415.
6. Will the Real Valentine Please Stand Up
There are actually three men named St. Valentine by the Catholic church. One was a priest, one a bishop and little is known about the third.
7. Valentine’s Day in the Middle Ages
One tradition in the Middle Ages was for young men and women to pick names from a bowl to see who their Valentine would be. They would then pin the piece of paper with that name on their sleeve for a week.
