Saint Valentine
The date of 14 February originated as a holiday in the Christian calendar honouring the martyr of Saint Valentine. The precise story of Saint Valentine is not exactly known as these as there are many different accounts of Saints named Valentine throughout the early history of Christianity.
Many traditions
With its spread across the world, the customs on Valentine’s Day vary and depart from the popular tradition associating it with romance and practicing activities like the sending of cards and flowers. In other European traditions it can be more associated with the coming of spring, the celebration of crops being to flourishing for the year.
Money
Most historic days have melded in their times, in old folk traditions through the middle ages it marked the seasons and the coming prospects and changes of working the land. Today they fit with the consumption of commodities. The world spends billions yearly on the cards, gifts, flowers and chocolates for their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. In Australia last year, according to research from Roy Morgan, it was estimated that the country was ready to spend $485 million on 2023’s Valentine’s Day.
