Seasons

Valentine Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentine’s Day 10: Chocolate

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

The giving of chocolate for Valentine’s Day gained popularity during the Victorian era when Richard Cadbury saw the days as a good marketing opportunity.  He created the heart-shaped box in 1861 and marketed it has having a dual purpose:  One for giving a beautiful gift and the other for storing keepsakes in a beautiful box.  Decorative boxes grew more elaborate until the outbreak of World War II when sugar was rationed and the celebration of Valentine’s Day was scaled down.

Hershey’s chocolate kiss was created in 1907.  Russell Stover began as early as 1923 wrapping chocolates and eventually putting them in heart-shaped boxes and which remain one of the best selling Valentine’s chocolates today.

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 10:
Chocolate

 

“Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Valentine Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentine’s Day 9: Conversation Hearts

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

The first conversation candy was created in 1866 when Daniel Chase, brother of the creator of NECCO candies, discovered a way to print messages on candy using vegetable dye. They were an instant hit. The conversation heart shape emerged in 1902 and has been a Valentine tradition for 115 years! While the original size of the candies has diminished, more phrases were added throughout the years.

Keeping up with the times one of the latest sayings is “text me”. However modern the sayings introduced each year, every Valentine still loves to find the one that says, “true love”, “be mine” or better still “kiss me”.

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 9:
Conversation Hearts

 

“Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Valentine Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentine’s Day 8: Hands

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

Paper hands were a popular 19th century love St. Valentine’s Day symbol that were often given as a love token. Considered a symbol of courtship as a man would propose by asking a lady for her hand, the lady’s hand appeared on both handmade and printed Valentines. A lady’s hand also symbolized femininity and as such was often decorated with a frilly cuff and a ring on the third finger.

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 8:
Hands

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Valentine Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentine’s Day 7: Birds

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

Birds have long been associated with Valentine’s Day as it was believed that birds found their mates in February.  It was Chaucer who in 1831 wrote a poem linking the mating season of birds with Valentine’s Day in the words:

“For this was on St. Valentine’s Day

When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.”

Doves mate for life and are known for their gentleness and shared cared for their young have long been linked to romantic love.  Known as messengers they are the perfect bird to carry the same to one’s Valentine.

 

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 7:
Birds

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Valentine Traditions–Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 6: Lace

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

St. Valentine’s cards were originally made by hand with real lace and ribbons.  Rather than being utilitarian, lace has always been something added for adornment and as such has an association with romance.  In 1834 Joseph Addenbrooke of England accidentally discovered a way to make paper lace.  This ushered in the Golden Age of Valentines in the 1840s to 1860s where paper lace decorated cards were all the vogue.

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 6:
Lace

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

inset picture from:   http://www.ephemerasociety.org/

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Valentine Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentine’s Day 5: Cards

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

Sending a note professing one’s love in hopes of the same in return is one of the oldest traditions of St. Valentine’s Day. The first ever St. Valentine’s letter is said to have been sent from the Duke of Orleans to his wife during his imprisonment in the Tower of London circa 1416. The oldest surviving Valentine was written by Margery Brews of Norfolk to her fiancé John Paxston circa 1477.

Writing poems professing one’s love continued as an English custom. It is said that King Henry VIII established February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day by royal decree in 1537. In 1830s England, as improvements in postal services and printing methods grew, so did the popularity of sending and receiving Valentine’s cards. So unprecedented were the number of cards the postmen had to deliver that they needed refreshments to enable them to complete their delivery.

In America the sending of Valentines didn’t truly become a tradition until the Civil War circa 1861-1866. Cards often depicted sweethearts parting as well as pictures of soldiers covered by flaps that opened to reveal the person of affection. By the 17th century it was commonplace for friends and lovers from all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection like hand-made cards, chocolates and small gifts on St. Valentine’s Day.

 

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 5:
Cards and Notes

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

Original picture from:  http://hubpages.com/holidays/valentines-images#slide9836064

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Valentine Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentines’ Day 4: Heart with Arrow

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

The heart is one of the symbols most associated with Valentine’s Day.  Put the heart and Cupid together and you will find a heart with an arrow through it.  Cupid’s arrow has struck the heart with love.  This symbol signifies that a person is in love especially romantic love.

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 4: Heart with Arrow

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Valentine’s Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentine’s Day 3: Cupid

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

Cupid and his bow and arrow are a favorite symbol of St. Valentine’s Day.  Cupid is a well-known figure from classical mythology whose name derived from the Latin Cupidos which means “desire”.  His bow and arrow have come to represent the source of his power.  It is said that when someone is struck by Cupid’s arrow, they are overcome with desire and fall hopelessly in love.

During the Middle Ages, under the influence of Christianity, Cupid also became associated with Heavenly and Earthly love.  Originally portrayed as a young adult, Cupid eventually evolved into the cherub we are so familiar with today.  Cupid as a playful cherub represents romantic love and many hope the object of their desire will be struck by one of his arrows especially on St. Valentine’s Day.

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 3: Cupid

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Valentine Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentine’s Day 2: Roses and Flowers

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

There are at least three stories about St. Valentine which have led some to say there were three St. Valentines connected to February 14.  It is believed, however, that at least two if not all of these stories refer to one in the same St. Valentine who was martyred on February 14 in 3 A.D.   It is said that St. Valentine married Christians when it was against the law in Rome for them to wed.  This is one of the reasons St. Valentine’s Day has been linked with romantic love.

Flowers are both synonymous with weddings and St. Valentine’s Day.  Indeed flowers are believed to speak their own love language.  Roses have long been considered the queen of flowers and the one flower historically associated with true love.

  • A red rose speaks of love, romance, passion, beauty, courage, respect, and congratulations as well as a job well done.
  • A single red rose says, “I love you”.
  • Two roses intertwined together signify engagement and marriage.

 

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 2:
Roses and Flowers

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Valentine Traditions–Along the Way to St. Valentine’s Day 1: Hearts

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day…

St. Valentine’s Day is a tradition that dates back centuries and is believed to have originated in ancient Rome. As Christianity spread many of the long-held traditions and celebrations were incorporated into Christian holidays. St. Valentine’s Day was made an official church holiday in 496 A.D. While it is thought that there may have been more than one St. Valentine, there is one thing that can be agreed upon. It is a day of celebration centered around love and all things to do with the heart.

The heart having a long-standing connection with emotions is naturally one of the most familiar symbols associated with this day.

Along the way to St. Valentine’s Day 1: Hearts

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing ~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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