Each year on February 14th, many people exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special ‘valentine’. The day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.
There are many traditions and tales associated with romance activities on Valentine’s Day including:
The first man an unmarried woman saw on 14th February would be her future husband.
If the names of all a girl’s suitors were written on paper and wrapped in clay and the clay put into water, the piece that rose to the surface first would contain the name of her husband-to-be.
If a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfish, she would marry a rich person.
SAINT VALENTINE'S TRADITIONS
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SAINT VALENTINE'S VOCABULARY
A valentine
A decorative card which you send, usually without your name on it, on 14 February (Valentine's Day) to someone you love. When you are popular you get a lo of valentines
Did you get any valentines?
Yes, I also sent you one!
Look Leila is writing a valentine
A valentine (person)
Someone you love or would like to have a romantic relationship with, to whom you send a valentine card:
The message on the card said 'Be my Valentine'.
Cupid
The ancient Roman god of love, represented by a naked baby boy who has wings and shoots arrows at people to make them start to love each other
An arrow
Cupid shoots arrows at people to make them love each other.
Bouquet
A group of flowers that have been fastened together and attractively arranged so that they can be given as a present or carried on formal occasion such as Valentine's Day.