15-02: A Day for Lovers

Origin of 15-02: A Day for Lovers

15th of February is a special day celebrated by lovers all around the world. This day is often referred to as the «Day for Lovers» and is a time for couples to express their love and affection for each other. The origins of this day can be traced back to ancient Roman times when the festival of Lupercalia was celebrated on the 15th of February. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.

During Lupercalia, young men would draw names of young women from a jar to pair off with them for the duration of the festival. These matches often led to marriage, and the tradition continued for centuries. However, as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, the pagan festival of Lupercalia was eventually replaced by the Christian feast of St. Valentine.

St. Valentine and the Tradition of Love

St. Valentine was a Roman priest who lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century AD. During this time, Claudius II had banned marriage for young men, believing that unmarried soldiers made better warriors. St. Valentine, however, continued to perform marriages in secret for young lovers, defying the emperor’s orders.

When his actions were discovered, St. Valentine was arrested and sentenced to death. While in prison, he befriended the jailer’s daughter and is said to have healed her from blindness. Before his execution on the 14th of February, St. Valentine wrote her a farewell letter signed «From your Valentine,» a phrase that is still used today.

Celebrating Love on 15-02

Today, 15-02 is a day dedicated to celebrating love and relationships. Couples exchange gifts, flowers, and cards to show their affection for each other. Many people also choose to spend quality time together, whether it’s going out for a romantic dinner, taking a weekend getaway, or simply enjoying each other’s company at home.

Some popular symbols of love associated with 15-02 include red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and greeting cards with sentimental messages. It is also a common day for marriage proposals, as the romantic atmosphere of the day lends itself well to declarations of love and commitment.

International Observance of 15-02

While 15-02 is widely celebrated in Western countries, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world. In Japan, for example, the tradition of giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day has been adopted, with women giving chocolates to men on the 14th of February and men reciprocating on the 14th of March, known as White Day.

In South Korea, 14th of February is also celebrated as Valentine’s Day, but with a twist. On this day, women give chocolates to men, and on the 14th of March, known as Black Day, singles who did not receive any gifts on Valentine’s Day gather to eat black noodles and commiserate with each other.