情人节的来历(Valentine's Day origins)
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery.
But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.February 14 is Valentine's Day. It is celebrated as a lovers' holiday today, with the giving of candy, flowers, or other gifts between couples in love. Valentine's Day has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages.In Rome it's said that it originated in 5th Century as a tribute to St. Valentine, a Catholic bishop.
For eight hundred years prior to the establishment of Valentine's Day, the Romans had practiced a pagan celebration in mid-February commemorating 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 female companion during the remaining year.In an effort to do away with the pagan festival, Pope Gelasius ordered a slight change in the lottery. Instead of the names of young women, the box would contain the names of saints. Both men and women were allowed to draw from the box, and the game was to emulate the ways of the saint they drew during the rest of the year. Needless to say, many of the young Roman men were not too pleased with the rule Changes.
Instead of the pagan god Lupercus, the Church looked for a suitable patron saint of love to take his place. They found an appropriate choice in Valentine, who, in AD270 had been beheaded 3 by Emperor Claudius. Claudius had determined that married men made poor soldiers. So he banned marriage from his empire. But Valentine would secretly marry young men that came to him.When Claudius found out about Valentine, he first tried to convert him to paganism. But Valentine reversed the strategy, trying instead to convert Claudius. When he failed, he was stoned and beheaded.
During the days that Valentine was imprisoned, he fell in love with the blind daughter of his jailer. His love for her, and his great faith, managed to miraculously heal her from her blindness before his death. Before he was taken to his death, he signed a farewell message to her, "From your Valentine." The phrase has been used on his day ever since.Although the lottery for women had been banned by the church, the mid-February holiday in commemoration of St. Valentine was stilled used by Roman men to seek the affection of women .It became a tradition for the men to give the ones they admired handwritten messages of affection, containing Valentine's name.Another Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time, AD 200.He was imprisoned because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Some legends say he was burned at the stake.February 14 was also a Roman holiday, held in honor of a goddess. Young men andomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities. The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date spread through Europe in the Middle Ages, and then to the early American colonies. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14!
In AD 496 Saint Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as "Valentine's Day". Although it's not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day. The first Valentine card grew out of this practice. The first true Valentine card was sent in 1415 by Charles, duke of Orleans, to his wife. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London at the time.Cupid, another symbol of the holiday, became associated with it because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. He is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow. Cupid often appears on Valentine cards.
Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St. Valentine's Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send roses, the flower of love.
体坛英语资讯:Turkeys Trabzonspor replaces Fenerbahce in Champions League draw
国际英语资讯:ASEAN, China, Japan, S. Korea reaffirm commitment to actions against COVID-19 fallout
体坛英语资讯:Jamaica looks to confront USA in womens 100m final
体坛英语资讯:Cameroonian football star EtoO joins Russian club
体坛英语资讯:Barcelona beat Porto to lift European Super Cup
体坛英语资讯:Athletic in Europa League group stage without kicking a ball
国际英语资讯:Interview: Chinas clear future plans bring strong confidence to people at home, abroad --
国际英语资讯:Trumps acceptance speech draws fewer viewers than Bidens: data
体坛英语资讯:Messi awarded Europe best player
体坛英语资讯:Hewitt to skip US Open
体坛英语资讯:Will Chinas Zhang clear personal best again in mens high jump final in Daegu?
Water-splashing Festival 泼水节
体坛英语资讯:Adebayor moves to Spurs on loan
体坛英语资讯:Sao Paulo tie Corinthians 1-1 in Brazilian championship
体坛英语资讯:World No. 4 paddler Guo Yan steps on podium twice at China Open
体坛英语资讯:USA takes revenge on Brazil to retain World Grand Prix title
体坛英语资讯:China mark consecutive wins at volleyball Grand Prix in Hong Kong
体坛英语资讯:Worlds leading hurdlers safely advance in Daegu worlds
体坛英语资讯:Wozniacki, Arzarenka advance into U.S. Open second round
体坛英语资讯:Granada return with defeat, Valencia and Real Sociedad win in Spain
体坛英语资讯:Usain Bolt: I have nothing to say right now
体坛英语资讯:Djokovic, Nadal, Serena advance, Li Na out in U.S. Open
体坛英语资讯:Santos defeats Fluminense 2-1
国际英语资讯:Tanzanias ruling party launches Magufulis re-election campaign
国际英语资讯:UN-backed Libyan govt names new defense minister, chief of staff following protests
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Peng reaches U.S. Open fourth round
国际英语资讯:Peru extends emergency for 90 days amid COVID-19 resurgence
体坛英语资讯:Bolt steals limelight, Russian topples record
体坛英语资讯:Turkish champions withdraw from UEFA Champions League
体坛英语资讯:Cameroons soccer star Etoo to join Russian side Anzhi