I remember way back when, in P.S. 81 in Brooklyn, N.Y., that Valentine's Day was an exciting day for us little kids. It was day of happiness, sadness, rejection depending on how popular you were. It was a day when you could send a unsigned Valentine to the kid you really liked best. It was in mid-January that we started working towards the big day, February 14th!
We made the Valentine's Day cards in those days and then along came those boxes of 10 cents packages that contained a bunch of ready made cards and it you paid a little more the package contained little envelopes. However prior to that there was glue, frilly white paper doilies and red, pink and white construction paper. How intense we became with those.
We never questioned much in those days. Where did Valentine's Day come from? Someone said St. Valentine a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity and who died on February 14, 269 A. D. a day that has been designated Valentine's Day by Pope Gelasius in 496 A.D. to honor St. Valentine. This was the Pope's method of doing away with a pagan Roman ritual that commemorated a young men's rite of passage to the god Lupercus. The celebration featured a lottery in which young men would draw the names of teenage girls from a box. The girl assigned to each young man in that manner would be his sexual companion during the remaining year. Gelasius ordered a change and substituted a saint's name instead of those of young women and now both men and women were allowed to draw names from the box.
Over the years, Valentine's Day, has become a day for sending love poems, cards, flowers and candy to the person closest to your heart.
Miss Esther Howland is given credit for the first Valentine's Day card in the United States and then commercial cards were introduced in the eighteen hundreds thus creating a direct line to one of today's most commercialized cards next to Christmas cards. In England the first Valentine's Day card was sent in 1415 by Charles, duke of Orleans, to his wife. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London at the time.
Along the way, Cupid, the son of Venus, the Goddess of Love and beauty, became the symbol used on many Valentine's Day cards.
I suppose kids today still exchange Valentine's Day cards except they probably have things like the images of the Power Puff Girls, Sponge Bob or whoever is today's most popular icon.
Today, we adults, who keep the tradition of Valentine's Day, send cards, flowers and candy to the ones we love or care about.
Valentine's Day candy has become one of this nation's most commercial candies and I remember those wonderful little candy hearts that Necco made. There was more than one hundred Sweetheart sayings have been in circulation since the hearts were first factory-made in 1902. Among the classics were "URAQT", "Kiss Me," "Sweet Talk," and "Be Mine." Often a motto was discontinued for a time and then made it's reappearance and others were gone for good. Sayings considered outdated or politically incorrect by NECCO include the funky "Dig Me" and the cheerful "You Are Gay." 8 Billion Little candy hearts are sold within 6 week's time each year! The first candy heart created in the 1860's had little paper notes inside then that were quite lengthy. I wonder what size they were.
In my youth getting a heart shaped box of Valentine's candy was a really big thing. Once the box was empty, if my mother did not keep the box for herself and I was really lucky, I would get the box. This treasure because something to keep my treasures in.
I don't remember many flowers sent around on St. Valentine's Day in my youth. American's are finally getting into the tradition of flowers similar to the way European's have incorporated them into their daily lives. However, over the centuries flowers have symbolized love, fertility, romance and marriage and giving your loved one Valentine's Day flowers came from the old fashioned custom sending a small floral bouquet to pass on non-verbal messages, especially during Victorian times.
It is said that in the 18th century this custom was introduced by Charles II of Sweden and each flower had a specific meaning attached to it conveying an entire conversation using only flowers.
When life was simpler, more subtle and men wooed women and women knew what the flowers meant one could create romance, convey trysts, say goodbye, welcome advances and much more just by sending the correct flower. Here are the flowers and their meanings so you can send your own Valentine's Day message to the one you love.
ACACIA: Concealed love, chaste love.
AGAPANTHUS: Love letters, love.
ALIUM: Strength.
ALSTROMERIA: Wealth, prosperity, fortune.
AMARYLLIS: Pride.
AMBROSIA: Love is reciprocated.
ANEMONE: Forsaken, expectation.
ANTHURIUM: Lover.
APPLE BLOSSUMS: Good fortune.
ARBUTUS: Thee only do I love.
ASPARAGUS FERN: Fascination.
ASTER: Variety, elegance, daintiness.
BABY'S BREATH: Innocence.
BACHELOR BUTTON: Single blessedness.
BALSAM: Ardent love.
BEGONIA: Beware.
BELLS OF IRELAND: Good luck.
BIRD OF PARADISE: Magnificence.
BITTERSWEET: Truth.
BLUEBELL: Humility, constancy.
BOUVARDIA: Enthusiasm.
BROOM: Humility.
BUTTERCUP: Childishness.
CACTUS: Endurance.
CALENDULA: Grief, jealousy.
CALLA LILY: Magnificent beauty.
CAMELLIA: Gratitude.
CAMELLIA, PINK: Longing for you.
CAMELLIA, RED: You're a flame in my heart.
CAMELLIA, WHITE: You're adorable.
CARNATION: Fascination, distinction, divine love, woman, yes.
CARNATION, PINK: A woman's love, I'll never forget you, mother's love.
CARNATION, PURPLE: Capriciousness.
CARNATION, RED: Alas for my poor heart, admiration, my heart aches for you, fascination.
CARNATION, STRIPED: Refusal, No, sorry I can't be with you.
CARNATION, WHITE: Innocence, faithfulness, sweet and lovely, pure love, ardent love, good luck. I remember these were something one gave one's mother on Mother's day as they were handed out at the first Mother's Day service in 1908.
CARNATION, YELLOW: Disdain, rejection, you have disappointed me.
CATTAIL: Peace, prosperity.
CHRYSANTHEMUM: Cheerfulness, optimism, rest, truth.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, RED: I love.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, WHITE: Truth, loyal love.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, YELLOW: Slighted love.
CLEMATIS: Clever, intellectual.
CORNFLOWER: Delicacy.
COSMOS: Modesty.
CROCUS: Cheerfulness, abuse not.
CYCLAMEN: Resignation, good-bye.
DAFFODIL: Regard, rebirth, new beginnings, unrequited love, you're the only one, chivalry.
DAFFODIL, SINGLE: Misfortune.
DAFFODIL, SEVERAL: Joy, happiness.
DAHLIA: Instability.
DAISY: Innocence, loyal love, I'll never tell, purity.
DANDELION: Faithfulness, happiness, love's oracle.
DAY LILY: Coquetry, Chinese emblem for mother.
DELPHINIUM: Big-hearted, fun.
EBONY: Blackness.
EREMURUS: Endurance.
EUPHORBIA: Persistence.
FERN: Sincerity, magic, fascination, confidence, shelter.
FIR: Time.
FLAX: Domestic symbol.
FLYTRAP: Deceit.
FORGET-ME-NOT: True love, hope, remembrance, memories.
FORSYTHIA: Anticipation.
FOUR-LEAF CLOVER: Good luck, be mine.
FOXGLOVE: Insincerity.
FREESIA: Innocence, thoughtfulness.
FUSCHIA: Taste.
GARDENIA: You're lovely, secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck.
GERANIUM: Stupidity, folly, comfort, gentility.
GINGER: Strength.
GLADIOLUS: Strength of character, remembrance, infatuation, splendid beauty, give me a break, I'm really sincere, flower of the Gladiators, admiration, tells recipients that they pierce the heart like a sword.
GLOXINA: Love at first sight.
HEATHER, LAVENDER: Admiration, solitude, beauty.
HEATHER, WHITE: Protection, wishes will come true.
HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.
HOLLY: Foresight, defense, domestic happiness, enchantment.
HOLLYHOCK: Ambition, fruitfulness.
HONEYSUCKLE: Bonds of love.
HUCKLEBERRY: Simple pleasure.
HYACINTH: Sport, play, games, rashness. A flower dedicated to Apollo.
HYACINTH, BLUE: Constancy.
HYACINTH, PURPLE: I am sorry, sorrow, please forgive me.
HYACINTH, RED OR PINK: Play.
HYACINTH, WHITE: Loveliness, I'll pray for you.
HYACINTH, YELLOW: Jealousy.
HYDRANGEA: Thank you for understanding, frigidity, heartlessness, heartless.
IRIS: Wisdom, Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope, valor, and my compliments.
IRIS, BLUE: Faith, hope.
IRIS, PURPLE: Wisdom, compliments.
IRIS, YELLOW: Passion.
IRIS, WHITE: Purity.
IVY: Fidelity, wedded love, friendship, affection, marriage.
IXIA: Happiness.
JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT:
JASMINE, WHITE or INDIAN: Amiability, I attach myself to you, sensuality, and attachment.
JASMINE, SPANISH: Sensuality.
JASMINE, YELLOW: Grace, elegance.
JONQUIL: Sympathy, love me, affection returned, desire.
LADY SLIPPER: Capricious beauty.
LARKSPUR: Fickleness, ardent attachment, levity, lightness.
LARKSPUR, PINK: Fickleness.
LARKSPUR, PURPLE: First love.
LAVENDER: Devotion.
LEATHERLEAF FERN: Fascination.
LILAC: Youthful, humility, confidence.
LILY: Majesty, wealth, pride, innocence, purity.
LILY, WHITE: Purity, modesty, virginity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you.
LILY, ORANGE: flame, I burn for you.
LILY, YELLOW: I'm walking on air, false, gay.
LILY OF THE VALLEY: Return of happiness, purity of heart, sweetness, tears of the Virgin Mary, you've made my life complete, humility, happiness.
LOTUS BLOSSUM: Estranged love.
MAGNOLIA: Dignity, love of nature, nobility.
MARIGOLD: Affection, cruelty, grief, jealousy.
MARIGOLD, POT: Grief, despair.
MIMOSA: Sensitivity.
MINT: Virtue.
MISTLETOE: Kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of India.
MONKSHOOD: Beware, a deadly foe is near, danger.
MORNING GLORY: Loves you.
MOSS: Maternal love, charity.
MYRTLE: Love, Hebrew emblem of marriage.
NARCISSUS: Egotism, conceit, self love, self admiration, formality, stay as sweet as you are.
NASTURTIUM: Conquest, victory in battle.
OAK LEAVES: Bravery.
OLEANDER: Caution.
OLIVE BRANCH: Peace.
ORANGE BLOSSUM: Purity, innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness, fertility.
ORANGE, MOCK: Deceit.
ORCHID: Rare beauty, love, refinement, beautiful lady.
PALM LEAVES: Victory, success.
PANSIES: Recipient is being thought about.
PAPERWHITE: Aphrodisiac due to its intoxicating scent.
PEONY: Bashfulness, shame, happy life, happy marriage, good health, prosperity.
PEPPERMINT: Cordiality.
PERIWINKLE: Friendship.
PETUNIA: Resentment, anger, your presence soothes me.
PHLOX: Unanimity.
POPPY: Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination.
POPPY, RED: Pleasure, consolation.
POPPY, WHITE: Consolation, sleep, rest.
POPPY, YELLOW: Wealth, success.
PRIMROSE: I can't live without you.
PRIMROSE, EVENING: Happy love.
QUEEN ANNE'S LACE: Haven.
RANUNCULUS: You are radiant with charm, radiant charm.
RHODODENDRON: Danger, caution.
ROSE: Love, passion, perfection.
ROSE, BURGUNDY: Beauty within.
ROSE, CORAL: Desire.
ROSE, DARK CRIMSON: Mourning.
ROSE, HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.
ROSE, LAVENDER: Love at first sight, enchantment.
ROSE, LEAF: You may hope.
ROSE, MOSS: Confessions of love.
ROSE, ORANGE: Fascination, display feeling of enthusiasm.
ROSE, PEACH: Desire, gratitude, appreciation, admiration, sympathy, modesty.
ROSE, PINK: Happiness, appreciation, admiration, friendship, sympathy.
ROSE, DARK PINK: Thankfulness.
ROSE, LIGHT PINK: Grace, gladness, joy, perfect happiness, please believe me, gratitude, admiration, gentility.
ROSE, RED: Love, passion, respect, courage, I love you, beauty, pure and lovely, prosperity.
ROSE, DEEP RED: Un-self-conscious beauty.
ROSE, SINGLE, FULL BLOOM: I love you; I still love you, new love.
ROSE, BUD, SMALL: Pure and lovely, beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love.
ROSE, THORNLESS: Love at first sight.
ROSE, WHITE: Innocence, purity, secrecy, I am worthy of you, silence, friendship, truth, virtue, girlhood, humility spiritual love, but of the soul, reverence, charm, happy love.
ROSE, WHITE, DRIED: Death is preferable to loss of virtue.
ROSE, YELLOW: Joy, friendship, true love, decrease of love, jealousy, try to care, freedom, slighted love, shows "I care", joy, gladness.
ROSES, BOUQUET, MATURE: Gratitude.
ROSES, RED & WHITE TOGETHER: Unity, flower emblem of England.
ROSES, YELLOW & RED TOGETHER: Happiness, congratulations.
ROSES, YELLOW & ORANGE TOGETHER: Passionate thoughts.
ROSEMARY: Remembrance, purity, rebirth.
SAGE: Virtue.
SALAL: Zest.
SCABIOUS: Unfortunate love.
SMILAX: Loveliness.
SNAPDRAGON: Deception, gracious lady, presumption.
SPEARMINT: Warm sentiment.
SPIDER FLOWER: Elope with me.
STAR OF BETHLEHEM: Purity.
STATICE: Sympathy, remembrance, success.
STEPHANOTIS: Happiness in marriage, desire to travel.
STOCK: Lasting beauty, bonds of affection, promptness, you'll always be beautiful to me.
SUNFLOWER: Follows the sun as it grows, adoration, haughtiness.
SWEET PEA: Lasting pleasure, good-bye, departure, blissful pleasure, thank you for a lovely time, I think of you.
SWEET WILLIAM: Gallantry, smile, finesse.
THYME: Activity.
TUBEROSE: Dangerous pleasure.
TULIP: Perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland.
TULIP, RED: Believe me, declaration of love, fame.
TULIP, VARIEGATED: Beautiful eyes.
TULIP, YELLOW: Hopeless love, there's sunshine in your smile.
VIOLET: Modesty, faithfulness, innocence, understated beauty.
VIOLET, BLUE: Watchfulness, faithfulness, I'll always be true.
VIOLET, PURPLE: Thoughts of you, blue love.
VIOLET, WHITE: Let's take a chance, youthful innocence.
VIOLET, YELLOW: Love of country.
WATER LILY: Purity of heart.
WEEPING WILLOW: Mourning.
WHEAT: Friendliness.
YARROW: Healing, sorrow.
ZINNIA: Thoughts of absent friends, in memory of an absent friend.
ZINNIA, SCARLET: Constancy.
ZINNIA, WHITE: Goodness.
ZINNIA, YELLOW: Daily remembrance.
Valentine's Day creates a great opportunity for those artists and crafters who enjoy the art of scrap booking. It still is fun creating a Valentine's Day card and you may want to try it again or with your children or grandchildren.
As we became more affluent Valentine's Day often meant giving gifts and some extravagant as expensive jewelry. Today we see many TV commercials just prior to Valentine's Day touting jewelry and Valentine's Day cards, candy and gifts have become a big industry because we start to see all the Valentine's Day displays in the stores on the 2nd day of January each year. Our email becomes flooded with reminders of things we can buy on the internet for our loved one.
However you celebrate Valentine's Day, just remember the one or one's you love and remember to tell them you love them.
"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime… may your day be filled with….Peace, light and love,
Arlene Wright-Correll
One really doesn't need a special day to send flowers to someone you care about, but one can create a special day for someone you care about by sending them flowers. The next time you want to do that, please send them some of Arlene's Home Farm Flowers. http://www.growerflowers.com/feature.asp?id=37350 There are a lot less calories in them.
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