Valentine's of course, but why the heart? (2024)

FAQs

Why is Valentine's day about the heart? ›

The heart shape is associated with love because it has long been considered the symbol of the human heart. The heart is the organ that pumps blood throughout the body, but it is also believed to be the seat of emotions and feelings.

Since the human heart has long been associated with emotion and pleasure, the shape was eventually co-opted as a symbol of romance and medieval courtly love.

It's not until the late 14th century that the heart took its final form. "The bilateral roundness has nothing to do with the human heart," Gillespie said. "But it does have to do with the exterior of the body, the roundness of the breasts, the roundness of the buttocks. But it's suggestive, not representative.

Valentine is likely based on a combination of two Valentines who were executed on February 14 in different years by Roman Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century A.C.E., according to NPR. The Catholic Church maybe have established St. Valentine's Day to honor these two martyrs.

One is that the heart shape comes from the shape of the leaves of a now-extinct plant called silphium, which was considered a key component of a love potion in the time of the Romans. Another theory is that St. Valentine used the symbol when arranging secret marriages.

Since Saint Valentine was a person and since the day was named after him, that would make February 14th Valentine's Day (singular and possessive). Neither of your two choices are correct. Say, “Happy Valentine's Day.”

He uses his alluring charms for his sly schemes, while hiding his true intentions to fill up his victims' heart full of love energy before "harvesting their heart" energy to strengthen his power. Over time, he formed a collection of literal broken hearts, keeping them on display in twin coffin shaped cabinets.

During gastrulation the two‐layered embryo‐blast becomes three‐layered, comprising the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. The heart begins development from the first mesodermal cells which migrate from the site of gastrulation toward the anteriolateral border of the trilaminar embryonic disc.

Valentines commonly depict Cupid, the Roman god of love, along with hearts, traditionally the seat of emotion. Because it was thought that the avian mating season begins in mid-February, birds also became a symbol of the day.

As it turns out, the traditional shape of a heart doesn't bear a very close resemblance to your real human heart. Some believe it resembles a cow's heart, but even those people will admit that the resemblance isn't very strong.

Why does the heart symbolize love? ›

Among the ancient Romans, the association between the heart and love was commonplace. Venus, the goddess of love, was credited — or blamed — for setting hearts on fire with the aid of her son Cupid, whose darts aimed at the human heart were always overpowering.

Doves: Doves are often associated with love, peace, and kindness. Smile: A genuine smile is a universal expression of kindness and warmth. Lotus Flower: In some cultures, the lotus flower represents purity, enlightenment, and kindness.

St Valentine's Day is an annual festival to celebrate romantic love, friendship and admiration. Every year on 14 February people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends.

While the date is meant to honor Saint Valentine's death and burial, which supposedly occurred in mid-February around 270 AD, some historians believe the date could reflect the Catholic Church's attempt to replace the ancient Pagan celebration of Lupercalia — a fertility festival for the pagan agricultural god Faunus — ...

One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.

St Valentine's Day is an annual festival to celebrate romantic love, friendship and admiration. Every year on 14 February people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends.

Geoffrey Chaucer Links Valentine's Day to Romance

By the Middle Ages, thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France. Perhaps that's why, in the 14th century, Valentine's Day took a romantic turn, thanks to the influence of English poets like Geoffrey Chaucer.

It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.