St. Valentines Day
February 14
St. Valentines Day has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of the day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, who is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow.
Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailers daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailers daughter a farewell letter, signing it From Your Valentine. Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, received notes to his jail cell from children and friends who missed him.
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 randomly 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 Sain Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as Valentines Day. Although its not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day.
Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St. Valentines 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. Most people send valentines, a greeting card named after the notes that St. Valentine received in jail. Valentines can be sentimental, romantic and heartfelt. They can be funny and friendly. If the sender is shy, valentines can be anonymous.
Americans of all ages love to send and receive valentines. Handmade valentines created by cutting hearts out of colored paper, show that a lot of thought was put into making them personal. Valentines can be heart-shaped, or have hearts, the symbol of love, on them. In elementary schools children make valentines for their classmates and put them in a large decorated box, similar to a mailbox. On February 14, the teacher opens the box and distributes the valentines to each student. After the students read their valentines they have a small party with refreshments.
For teenagers and adults, major newspapers throughout the country have a Valentines Day offer. Anyone can send in a message, for a small fee of course, destined for a would-be sweetheart, a good friend, an acquaintance or even a spouse of fifty years. The message is printed in a special section of the newspaper on February 14.
上一篇: 雅思口语素材:好句推荐-成熟的标志
下一篇: 雅思口语考试前该准备些什么?
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块1 unit 1-2 Lifestyles《Lesson 2 Relaxing》课件(北师大版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块1 unit 1-1 Lifestyles《Lesson 1 A Perfect Day?》课件(北师大版)
高三英语二轮三轮总复习 重点突破专题一 第一讲 名词和介词课件(人教版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块2 unit 6-1 Design《Lesson 1 A Matter of Taste》课件(北师大版)
(湖北省专用)高考英语总复习 模块2-完形填空课件(大纲人教版)
(湖北省专用)高考英语总复习 模块4-完成句子课件(大纲人教版)
(广东省专用)高考英语总复习 模块5 基础写作课件(新人教版)
(湖北省专用)高考英语总复习 模块3-阅读理解课件(大纲人教版)
高三英语二轮三轮总复习 重点突破专题一 第九讲 语从句和名词性从句课件(人教版)
(广东省专用)高考英语总复习 模块1 完形填空课件(新人教版)
高三英语二轮三轮总复习 重点突破专题二 专题宏观把握课件(人教版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块1 unit 2-2 Heroes《Lesson 2 History Makers》课件(北师大版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块2 unit 5-2 Rhythm《Lesson 2 Beijing Opera》课件(北师大版)
那些“任性”的单词们
高三英语二轮三轮总复习 重点突破专题一 第六讲 动词时态和语态课件(人教版)
高考英语总复习 模块5 书面表达课件(大纲人教版)
高三英语二轮三轮总复习 重点突破专题一 第七讲 情态动词和虚拟语气课件(人教版)
2017版高考英语大一轮复习《Unit 1 School life 》课件 牛津译林版必修1
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块1 unit 3-2 Celebration《Lesson 2 Parties》课件(北师大版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块1 unit 2-1 Heroes《Lesson 1 Modern Heroes》课件(北师大版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块3 unit 8-1 Adventure《Lesson 1 Adventure Holidays》课件(北师大版)
(湖北省专用)高考英语总复习 模块5-短文写作课件(大纲人教版)
(广东省专用)高考英语总复习 模块4 信息匹配课件(新人教版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块2 unit 4-2 Cyberspace《Lesson 2 Websites》课件(北师大版)
高三英语二轮三轮总复习 重点突破专题一 第三讲 数词和冠词课件(人教版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块3 unit 9-2 Wheels《Lesson 2 On the Move》课件(北师大版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块4 unit 12-2 Culture Shock《Lesson 2 Mind Your Manners》课件(北师大版)
高三英语二轮三轮总复习 重点突破专题一 第十二讲 交际用语课件(人教版)
广东省2017届高考英语一轮复习必修模块3 unit 9-1 Wheels《Lesson 1 On Your Bike》课件(北师大版)
高三英语二轮三轮总复习 重点突破专题一 第四讲 形容词和副词课件(人教版)