Hello you all,
Today is Valentine's Day and it is celebrated around the world. It is called *Sõbrapäev* in Estonia.
According to one legend, the Roman emperor Claudius II, in the 3rd century, decided that those men who are not married or own family, are better soldiers than those who have a family.
St. Valentine was against it and continued to secretly enter into marriages of young men.
When Claudius heard about it, he commanded to kill Saint Valentine. He was put in a tough Roman prison where he helped the Christians escape.
He wrote letters to the daughter of one of the fellow prisoners in whom he was in love, all his letters ended with "Your Valentine", which is still written under the cards and letters even today.
One of the most popular theories is that in Rome, the fertility of the festival called "Lupercalia", which sacrificed goats and gently feminized women with their bloody skin, was gutted. During this festival, men and women chose each other at random, whether they were a couple during this festival or even married at a later date. It was considered an evil-ritual, so it was soon banned at the end of the 5th century.
You can read more about Lupercalia [here](https://listverse.com/2017/02/14/10-bizarre-facts-about-lupercalia-the-original-st-valentines-day/)
During the Middle Ages, it was believed in England and France that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season. From that this is the idea that the Valentine’s Day should be a day for love and romance.
Valentine's Day is also mentioned by Ophelia in William Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Valentine's Day poem, that everybody knows, is from 1784, by Gammer Gurton's Garland:
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The honey's sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it should be you“
Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, after Christmas.
Men give women roses and chocolate, women give a little gift to men.
This day is also called ina different countries: Day of Lovers, Day of Love and Friendship, Boyfriends / Girlfriends Day.
In Malaysia, There were conducting raids in hotels to stop young people from having unlawful sex and shared fliers to Muslim university students warning them against the day. Deputy Prime Minister said the celebration of romantic love was "not suitable" for Muslims.
Valentine's Day 2011, West Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples concerning the celebrations.
In South Korea, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14 (White Day).
In Scandinavia - some people take time to eat a romantic dinner with their partner, to send a card to a secret love or give a red rose to their loved one. It is largely imported from American culture.
So, take your time, make a card yourself or get an already printed card for your loved one. This is the most romantic day of the year.
I look forward to this evening so that I can enjoy my Valentine's Day at a romantic dinner.
Happy Valentine's Day!
I love you, my dear Valentine!
Love and Peace!
*Images Pixabay*