Senior Moments - The Campbellford Seniors Club Newsletter Issue 25 | Page 13

Information & News
or would like to have had a romantic
relationship. It was also customary
for lovers to exchange handwritten
notes. These have now largely been
replaced by commercially produced
cards.
may be busy as many people take
out their partner for a romantic
meal or night away in a hotel.
Background
The origins of Valentine’s Day are not
clear. It is thought that there were
a number of local fertility festivals
in Europe in pre-Christian times.
These were often in the middle of
February. Many people also thought
that birds chose their mates at this
time of year. Around the year 1380,
the English poet Chaucer wrote a
poem for the first anniversary of
the engagement of King Richard II
to Anne of Bohemia. This is thought
to be the first association between
celebrations of romantic love and St
Valentine’s Day on February 14. The
connection remained important
throughout the middle ages.
In the mid-19th century, there was
an increase in interest in Valentine’s
Day, first in the United States, then
in Canada. It was promoted by
manufacturers of paper lace and
cards as a means of increasing their
sales. Gradually, this date was seen
as an occasion for a man to present
gifts to a woman with whom he had
Symbols
The most common symbols of
Valentine’s Day are heart shapes,
which are used to decorate many
things, including cards, trees,
wrapping paper, cookies and gift
boxes. Other symbols associated
with February 14 are pairs of
birds, cute teddy bears, Cupid and
his arrows and couples kissing
or embracing. The colors red and
pink are often associated with
Valentine’s Day.
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