During the 14th and 15th centuries, St. Valentine’s Day steered away from its tragic past and began to flourish into the love filled holiday we know today.
Valentine’s Day, now set on Feb. 14, became about the idea of love and romance in England at first. Soon, the world began associating the day with the “love birds” of early spring, and believed it to be the day that birds chose their mates.
Over the millennium, as society evolved, Valentine’s Day grew profoundly into an occasion in which couples expressed their love to one another with flowers, candy and handmade cards, which became known as Valentines, named after the holiday itself.
Valentine’s day is celebrated in many different ways, depending on your culture, age, relationship status and even religious beliefs. For example, old fashioned Catholics may celebrate by lighting candles and praying to St. Valentine, while Japanese high school students exchange homemade chocolates to their crushes and a month later give back gifts to the people that gifted them chocolate’s on Valentine’s Day.
Social norms and the spread of materialism has lead to widespread commercialization of the holiday. Evolving with time, the holiday is no longer only about romantic love, but is also a day to appreciate close friends, loved ones, and spouses alike.