Five things you may not know about Valentine’s Day

Red hearts are a well established Valentine symbol.  Red is associated with the colour of blood.  Long ago, people thought that the heart was the part of the body that felt love. In fact, Egyptians removed every organ but the heart when mummifying their dead in preparation for burial.  They believed that the heart was the only part of the body necessary for the trip through eternity.

The ancient Roman festival Lupercalia (“festival of the wolf”) is thought to be one precursor to Valentine’s Day.   This purification and fertility ceremony was celebrated from 13^th – 15^th February.  Boys would draw a girl’s name from a box on the eve of the festival and then escort her to the festival the next day.

Two alternative celebrations have become established in the U.S., “Quirkyalone Day”, which is geared toward people who “resist the tyranny of coupledom” and SAD (Single Awareness Day), which reminds people that they don’t need to be in a relationship to celebrate life.

The first Valentine's Day chocolate box was introduced in 1868 by Richard Cadbury, the founder of the Cadbury chocolate company.

Many believe the 'X' symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn't write their names signed in front of a witness with an 'X.' The 'X' was then kissed to show their sincerity.

References: didyouknowarchive.com; www.sheknows.com; Hallmark; Wisebread. 2011 U.S. National Retail Federation Survey

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