Valentines Day Facts

The name Valentine comes from the Latin word valor, meaning worthy.  Valentine's Day was named for two men, both Christian martyrs named Valentine who were associated with romantic love in the middle ages.St. Valentine's Day was declared an official holiday in 1537 when England's King Henry VIII declared it for the first time.

Unmarried Valentine's. In the Middle Ages, people believed that the first unmarried person of the opposite sex that they met on the morning of Valentine's Day was the person they were destined to marry.

Unusual Foods. In Medieval times, girls ate unusual foods on St Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future husband.

Valentine Birds. February 14th was long associated with fertility and love even before St. Valentine lived. It was the day that birds traditionally chose their mates.

Valentine Celtic Wooden Spoons. The ancient celtic tradition of giving hand carved wooden love spoons as Valentine's gifts began in Wales. Often, hearts, keys, and keyholes, symbolizing that the receiver unlocked the giver's heart, were carved as decoration on the spoon. Here are some samples of celtic wooden spoons.

Valentine Love Messages. Elaborate handmade love messages, cards and gifts for Valentine's Day became popular during the 17th century.

Valentine Pagan Fertility Festival. The Romans introduced a pagan fertility festival in England that was held every February 14th. After the Romans left the country, Pop Gelsius, who established St. Valentine's Day as a celebration of love in 496 A.D, abolished the pagan festival.

Valentine Robins Overhead. It was believed that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor.