Happy Valentine’s Day

On this very special day we thought about telling you a bit more about Valentine’s Day, its origins, traditions and why it is such a popular day in our lives.

The origins of Valentine’s Day

The Ancient Rome

Though Valentine’s Day’s origins are not certain, most historians think that the first ritual similar to Valentine’s Day goes back to ancient Rome.

In Ancient Rome the Lupercalia fest was celebrated between the 13th and 15th of February. It was a symbol of sharing, during which the tradition was to sacrifice a goat, symbol of fertility, in a cave, as well as a dog, symbol of purification, to pay respects to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture and to sign the end of the winter.

In 494, the Pope Gelasius I banned this fest and took Saint Valentine as the holy patron of the lovers, giving Saint Valentine a special day: the 14th of February.

Saint Valentine… who is he?

Valentine of Terni, or Saint Valentine, was a monk who disobeyed the Emperor Claudius “Gothicus” II. The emperor wanted to forbid marriages to prevent men from staying with their wives or fiancées instead of filling their war duty. However, Valentine dismissed the order and kept marrying young couples. He went to jail on the order of the emperor. In prison, he met Julia, a young blind lady. Thanks to their many encounters and conversations, both of them fell in love with each other. Also, a miracle happened: Julia recovered her sight. This miracle became known by everyone, including the emperor, who decided then to condemn Valentine to death. After his death, Valentine of Terni became Saint Valentine, the saint patron of lovers.

And the Middle Ages?

During the Middle Ages and especially only in France and England, people also associated Valentine’s Day with a natural event. Indeed, the 14th February was the beginning of bird matings. These events, recorded in the works of the famous Geoffrey Chaucer, led to many other legends about Valentine’s Day during the Middle Ages, associating this mating period for birds with the day of love for couples. The 14th February hence is the day of romance.

Typical Valentine’s Day greetings

Valentine’s Day is mainly celebrated in English-speaking countries (Canada, USA, Great Britain, Australia), but also a lot of other countries.

It is this tradition of sending cards to express your feelings, may they be destined to your lover, friends or even family members.

Valentine’s Day, just behind Christmas, is the day when the most cards are sent during the year.

The gifts

On this day of the year offering presents is very popular. Among those gifts, we can find very classic ones like chocolate, flowers, cards… You can also take your lover to dinner in a restaurant. Some people also see this special day as the perfect occasion to ask their partner to marry them!

It is also common, much more in English-speaking countries, that kids celebrate Valentine’s Day by creating their own cards, just like for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. They design it with colors, glitter, hearts, red roses, Cupido but also with these famous verses of a poem:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Sugar is sweet,

And so are you!

In a nutshell, on many levels, from its origins to its current traditions, Valentine’s Day is the day of love. It is a day to celebrate your lover, and if you are alone, why not spoiling yourself by gifting you presents from yourself to yourself? Whether you are single or married, pamper yourself or your significant other. And if you have no idea of a gift or present, we have the solution. For this special day, the Diana Beauty Team offers you a special discount code on our skincare product: our revitalizing eye cream. With the code 7P2HMVGT buy two products and get 20% off immediately on Amazon IT, UK and FR.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Emma & Manon