The History of Valentine's Day

Meet Beautiful Singles Near You - Join Free Now!

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Saint Valentine as a priest at the temple during the reign, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be jailed and put to death. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine.
Some states that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity also attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured. Who was then killed and died on February 14, 269 A.D., this day had been devoted to love giving.
Some says that actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter who visited him during his confinement, whom he fell in love with. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From Your Valentine" an expression that is still in use today.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial.
Others claim that the Christian church may celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping and sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. The festival begin with members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. All the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn, city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February "Valentine's Day" should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year (the first was Christmas).Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap".

Free Registration - InterracialSingles.com
Showing posts with label hearts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hearts. Show all posts

Sunday, January 17, 2010

March Birthstone Valentines Gift! (Aquamarine)







March Birthstone Valentines Gift!
This is such a wonderful idea of giving birthstone Valentine's day gifts for that someone special!
I will try to list as correctly as possible each bithstones for each month.
March Birthstone - Aquamarine
The aquamarine is the blue, or perhaps more correctly, blue-green or aqua variety of the mineral beryl. Aquamarine is the birthstone for March, and it is commonly recognized as the Zodiac stone for the constellation of Scorpio. It is also the accepted anniversary gem for the 19th year of marriage.
Many believe that aquamarine helps dependence on drugs, is an aid in digestion, and can be used as remedy for swollen glands and to maintain the health of the jaws and teeth. It is believed to release anger and negativity replacing them with mental peace and clarity, providing emotional and mental balance. It has been used as an aid in meditation and to assist in self-expression.

A Gift of Love: Dream of aquamarine signifies the making of new friends.
Wear aquamarine brings love and affection.
Give aquamarine is to offer the gift of knowledge, foresight and individual inspiration.
Symbol of youth, fidelity, hope and health. it is said to aid seafarers so it is a wonderful gift for sailors, fishermen, and everyone who spends time at sea.
Aquamarine symbolizes safety and security, especially within long standing relationships.
FOR HIM:
14K White Gold Genuine Oval Aquamarine and Diamond Men's Men's Ring
14K Yellow Gold Genuine Oval Aquamarine and Diamond Men's Men's Ring

FOR HER:
2.00 cttw Genuine Aquamarine Heart Pendant - 14kt White Gold LIFETIME WARRANTY.
1.89 cttw Genuine Heart Shape Aquamarine and Diamond Earring Studs - 14kt White Gold.


Share on Facebook

Friday, January 8, 2010

Valentine's Day Heart Pendants







Valentine's Day Heart Pendants
Found quite a few trendy and elegant heart shape pendants which will make great gifts for this coming Valentine's day!
Sterling Silver Marcasite & Garnet Glass Heart Pendant, 18"
Jewelry Information
Metal stamp: 925-Sterling
Metal: sterling-silver
Material Type: marcasite, sterling-silver
Gem Type: Glass, Marcasite
Height: 35 millimeters
Width: 25 millimeters
Length: 18 inches
Clasp Type: spring-ring-clasps
Package: Regal Blue Sueded-Cloth Pouch


10k White Gold Diamond 3-Stone Heart Pendant (1/10 cttw, I-J Color, I2-I3 Clarity), 18"
Jewelry Information
Metal stamp: 10k
Metal: white-gold
Material Type: diamond, white-gold
Gem Type: Diamond
Setting: prong
Height: 16.4 millimeters
Width: 15.18 millimeters
Length: 18 inches
Chain: 5R rope
Clasp Type: spring-ring-clasps
Total metal weight: 1 Grams
Number of stones: 3
Diamond Information
Stone shape: Round
Minimum color: IJ
Minimum Clarity: I3
Cut: good-cut
Minimum Total Carat Weight: 0.1 carats
Packaging Information
Package: Regal Blue Sueded-Cloth Box


14k White Gold Double Heart Pendant w/ Diamond Accent
Jewelry Information
Metal stamp: 14k
Metal: white-gold
Material Type: diamond
Gem Type: Diamond
Setting: channel
Height: 6.63 millimeters
Width: 10 millimeters
Length: 18 inches
Chain: Rope
Clasp Type: spring-ring-clasps
Total metal weight: 1.2 Grams
Diamond Information
Stone shape: Round
Minimum Total Carat Weight: 0.014 carats
Packaging Information
Package: Regal Blue Sueded-Cloth Pouch

Share on Facebook

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Celebrating Valentine’s Day Apart







Celebrating Valentine’s Day Apart

Fun, Sweet and Personalised Cards at Moonpig.com

There are a number of reasons why a couple may find themselves spending Valentine’s Day apart. Couples who are in a long distance relationship, business trips, shifts which prevent couples from being together, sickness and family emergencies are just a few examples of reasons why a couple may find themselves spending Valentine’s Day apart. While you may certainly understand the reasons why you and your loved ones cannot be together on Valentine’s Day it does not make it any easy to deal with this situation. You may still feel sad and lonely if you find yourself in one of these situations. However, there is home for those who are spending Valentine’s Day apart from their loved ones, there are a few ways for making the day a lot more fun. This article will provide information on ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day apart in a number of different scenarios.

DVD AVENUE

First we will consider the case of a couple who is in a long distance relationship. For this couple, they may be used to spending important days such as Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and other holidays apart so it may not be as difficult for them to deal with. However, there are ways this couple can still celebrate Valentine’s Day together. One way to do this is to both rent the same movie and watch it while on the phone together. This may run up your phone bill but if you have unlimited evening minutes you and your partner can chat away on your cell phones while you watch the movie together. You might even consider both ordering the same type of food such as pizza or Chinese food so you will feel even more together for a little while.


Next we will consider a couple who finds themselves spending Valentine’s Day apart do to an unexpected business trip. This can be particularly difficult because the couple is not used to being apart on important days and likely did not have a great deal of time to prepare for spending the holiday apart. In this situation the couple should discuss Valentine’s Day as soon as they realize they are going to be spending the holiday apart. While discussing it they can decide whether they want to celebrate before they separate or after they are reunited. It is also important for the couple to try to at least have some contact on Valentine’s Day even if it is over the phone or through email. This will allow the couple to feel like they are together in some way so they don’t get too lonely. Having flowers delivered to your loved one while you are separated is also a very thoughtful gesture.
Valentine Romance Gift Basket (large) - JustFlowers.com
5 x 7 Picture Frame 2 Sensual Votive candles Valentine Taffy Whips 6 oz Chocolate Malt Balls 8 oz Fudge Filled Shortbread cookies 8 oz Strawberries and Blackberries candies Chocolate covered almonds 12 oz Valentine Heart w/ assorted chocolates The Romance of Love Book 6" Taper Candles Red Decorative basket
Valentine Romance Gift Basket (large) - JustFlowers.com
Valentine's Day Gift box w/ 2 doz. Berries - JustFlowers.com
Our most popular gift. Our fancy foiled gift boxes, with plush black velvet linings, serve up tempting assortments of Sharis Berries gourmet dipped strawberries decorated with six of our original toppings.
Valentine's Day Gift box w/ 2 doz. Berries - JustFlowers.com
Finally, we will consider the case of a couple who cannot spend Valentine’s Day together because one or both of them does work which involves odd shifts. This could include doctors, firefighters, police officers or a variety of other professions. Individuals in this type of situation are probably used to their odd schedule and making time to be together outside of working hours. In this case the best way to deal with being apart on Valentine’s Day is to send some gifts or flowers first then plan on celebrating together when it is more convenient. This may not seem like the most romantic option but sometimes it is important to remember that you love your partner every day of the year and you don’t have to be together on Valentine’s Day to prove your love for each other.


Mahogany Box Carved With A Heart + 2 Refills (45 pieces)
Triple the bliss!Elevate our Touch? to a euphoric new height by tripling the chocolate bliss. Our Touch? collectible box is accompanied by a two-pack chocolate refill. This product has been competitively priced: one of the 2 refills included is complimentary.
Mahogany Box Carved With A Heart + 2 Refills (45 pieces)
Chocolate Box With I Love You Engraved In French (15 pieces)
Je t?aime!Give the priceless without spending a fortune. Declare your feelings in the language of love with Je t?aime a singular romantic offering. Astonish with this exotic and stunning assortment of hand-made French artisan chocolates - all nestled within a delicate heart themed box and topped with a brass plate engraved with the timeless message of love ? Je t?aime. We decided to seal this message in French because nothing conveys romance and seduction like a true ?I love you? in French
Chocolate Box With I Love You Engraved In French (15 pieces)
4 Love Boxes Filled With Heart-Shaped Chocolates (40 pieces)
When all the elements unite.Fire Water Air and Earth coalesce to create a magnificent harmony of 40 enchanting chocolates. Each facet of your love will be deliciously represented by this foursome of unbridled passionate expression composed of the world?s finest chocolate. This product has been competitively priced: get 4 elements for a little over the price of 2 elements!
4 Love Boxes Filled With Heart-Shaped Chocolates (40 pieces)
Share on Facebook

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Sterling silver brooch, 'Special Heart'




Sterling silver brooch, 'Special Heart'

Sterling silver brooch, 'Special Heart'

A wavy heart graces this original brooch, hand-crafted by the talented Made Sriasih. The design is wonderfully airy, with cut out arabesques on a sensuous and romantic shape. 0.925 rating silver

Share on Facebook

Beaded Crystal Heart Shaped Brooch with free tutorial!




Valentine All Crystal Heart
Free tutorial link for the beaded Valentine Crystal Heart Brooch
This Beaded crystal Heart Brooch was created using a combination of seed beads and Swarovski Crystal, great as a Valentine's day gift. I used silver white Japanese seed beads and a combination of pink and purple crystals.

Share on Facebook

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Valentine All Crystal Heart Pendant!




Valentine All Crystal Heart
Free tutorial link for the beaded Valentine All Crystal Heart
This Beaded crystal Heart was created using Swarovski Crystal, great as a pendant, brooch, earrings or mobile phone accessory. I used white transparent crystals, made using the right angle weave technique. Give it a try, what says better than a handmade Heart for your love ones!

Stainless Steel Heart Pendant!




LW207

LW207 - If you have a big heart, this pendant is for you! Measuring 2" x 2" this stainless steel Italian made heart pendant will not go unnoticed! Smaller hearts inside are connected by rings to add a modern look to a classic symbol. Pendant comes on a black cotton adjustable cord.

Yin Yang heart shaped pendant - Stainless steel w/ pink enamel!




LW175

LW175 - A new twist of a familiar symbol! This yin yang style, heart shaped pendant, is made from stainless steel and adorned with pink enamel female insignias, and is a delicate statement of love. With a hint of pink, the pendant is feminine and fabulous! The pendant measures 1 3/4" x 1 3/4". The two pieces are bonded together perfectly, and are attached to black and white cotton cords, which form a single adjustable cord. A beautiful addition to any wardrobe!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Valentine 3D Heart Tutorial!




Valentine 3D Heart
Free tutorial link for the beaded Valentine 3D Heart
Try making this beaded 3D heart pendant, earrings or charm made using the Right Angle Weave technique (RAW). Great as a fashion accessory or as a jewelry gift. You can use the same tutorial and change the materials and not only use pearls but crystals, beads of different sizes to make a full set of Beaded 3D Heart Jewelry!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Beaded Crystal Valentine Open Heart Tutorial!




Pink Crystal Open Heart
Free tutorial link for the beaded Crystal Valentine Open Heart
Try making this crystal beaded open heart pendant or charm made with Japanese seed beads and Swarovski crystals using the Right Angle Weave technique (RAW). Great as a fashion accessory or as a jewelry gift. Open your heart and let people in!

14K W Gold 1/4Ct Diamond 3D Open Heart Bracelet Charm and Earrings




14K W Gold 1/4Ct Diamond 3D Open Heart Bracelet Charm

14K W Gold 1/4Ct Diamond 3D Open Heart Bracelet Charm
This lovely charm has a stylized heart outline of white gold set with diamonds. Put a little more love into your look with this 14K W Gold 1/4Ct Diamond 3D Open Heart Bracelet Charm.
14k White Gold Open Heart 2/5Ct Diamond Button Earrings

14k White Gold Open Heart 2/5Ct Diamond Button Earrings
These lovely earrings are white gold heart outlines covered in prong set diamonds. Show her you appreciate her loving heart by giving her these 14k White Gold Open Heart 2/5Ct Diamond Button Earrings.

SearchDollar Text Link Exchange Text Back Link Exchange Text Backlink Exchanges Add to Technorati Favorites Blogadr.com - Listed (add your blog to Blogadr.com) Blogadr.com - Listed (Blog Topics) SeeNotice.com (Free Classifieds) giftvalentinesday.blogspot.com - Rankse.com Overfeed.com - Browse latest news and comments from listed blogs and websites in our directory. Blog Topics Get this blog as a slideshow! Blogadr Update Furniture Singapore Freight Singapore Lodging Singapore Florist Singapore Bead Jewelry Making Valentines Day Gift - Blogged OverShopping Link Exchange Bid Based Wed Directory