Happy Valentine's Day, Whyville!
The basis behind this article comes from the fact that this issue falls on February 14, which indeed is Valentine's Day. Therefore, I believe I am at liberty to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! Some of you may be spending that special day with your personal sweetheart, exchanging cards, or attending a dance at school.
However, why do we celebrate Valentine's Day? Perhaps we have an interested in love and friendship? Alternatively, maybe there wasn't a holiday in between New Years and Spring Break that tradition established this holiday because we "love" them so much? Much like any other celebration, Valentine's Day is rich with history -- with varying opinions towards how it originated.
Many experts say it was based on St. Valentine, who was a Roman, martyred (meaning killed for his beliefs) for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 AD, the same day that has been devoted to what some people call as 'love lotteries'. However, legend also tells us that St. Valentine left a farewell note for one of the jailer???s daughters who had become a good friend. It was signed "from your Valentine". This is where the ritual of exchanging cards, roses, or presents comes from.
As time progressed, February 14 became the day in which people exchanged love messages and St. Valentine became known as the patron saint of lovers. Every year, sending flowers or poems marked the date, as well as a ball at the end of the night. This is similar to the customs that we are used to now. Commercial Valentine's were introduced in the 1800s and now the date is extremely commercialized. It is estimated that businesses that sell cards, flowers, and candy make most of their profits during the Valentine season.
We all know one of the symbols insinuated with Valentine's Day is cupid, the mischievous child whose arrows could pierce the hearts of humans and force them to fall in love. This legend goes back to Greek and Roman history. In ancient Greece, Cupid was known as Eros, the son of the beautiful goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite. To the Romans he was Cupid, and was the son of Venus.
So how did Cupid come to be the emblem of Valentine's Day?
One legend tells the story of Cupid and the human maiden, Psyche. Venus was jealous of Psyche???s beauty, and ordered Cupid to punish the mortal. Instead, Cupid fell deeply in love with her. He took her as his wife, but as a mortal, she was not allowed to look at him. Psyche was happy until her sisters convinced her to look at Cupid. Cupid punished her by departing, and their lovely castle and gardens vanished with him and Psyche found herself alone in an open field.
As she wandered to find her love, she came upon the temple of Venus. Wishing to destroy her, the goddess of love gave Psyche a series of tasks, each harder and dangerous than the last. For her last task Psyche was given a little box and told to take it to the underworld. She was told to get some of the beauty of Persephone, the wife of Pluto, and put it in the box. While on her trip she was given tips on escaping the dangers of the realm of the dead. She was also warned not to open the box. Enticement overcame Psyche and she opened the box, but instead of finding beauty, she found deadly slumber.
Cupid found her lifeless on the ground, so he gathered the sleep from her body and put it back in the box. Cupid forgave her, as did Venus. The gods, being moved by Psyche's love for Cupid, made her a goddess.
Some adore Valentine's Day, while others dread it. However, whatever your inclinations are, I hope you find a way to enjoy the day. I wonder what I am going to do for my special someone this day. Who knows! I do know, however, that there will lots of candies, flowers, and cards -- oh my!
Whenever, Wherever,
TIKE
