Valentine’s Day: How Did the Tradition Begin?

There are varying opinions about the origin of Valentine's Day. Some believe it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that among the things St. Valentine refused to give up was marrying Christians in the Christian Church. On the day of his death, it was said that he left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".

Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine.
Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages, and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date is still marked, to this day, by sending poems and simple gifts to your sweetheart.

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's, and now the date is very commercialized. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business each year on Valentine’s Day. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.

Florists are busiest on Valentine’s Day, and roses are the traditional flower sent on Valentine’s Day, with the color of the flowers being symbolic. Traditionally, red roses are symbolic of love, pink roses (said to have bloomed from Mother Mary’s tears as she followed her son up Golgotha) are symbolic of Mother’s love, yellow roses symbolize caring and friendship, while white roses are symbolic of purity.

Meaning of Rose Flower Colors

The rose flowers represent love and romance as it meanings. However, all rose flowers have its own attributed meanings depending on the color it possesses. The meaning of rose flower colors used to deliver various messages to people either between friends or lovers. This tradition had originated during the strict era of Victorian age where passionate and romantic messages between lovers are interchanged through the forms of innocent looking bouquet of rose flowers with different colors

As the years passed by, the meaning of rose flower colors have evolved throughout the time. It had turned to into some advanced languages and intricate messages that are shaped into different floral arrangements. Other factors are also modified and enhanced giving deeper interpretations of the message to be passed on. One of these factors is the number of rose flowers either fully bloomed or rose buds that are included in every floral arrangement. For a single rose that is red combined with some white rose buds, the message would be "I love you but you are too young". For a dozen of red roses, the message would represent an ultimate sign of love to the recipient.

The rose flower colors include white, red, purple, pink, yellow, orange, peach, deep burgundy, green, black and blue. However, not all of these colors are naturally grown. Some of these are artificially made color for the rose flowers to give more enhancements and modernizations for the meaning of rose flower colors. Pale rose colors no matter what shades may represent friendship. The white roses represent bright and pure affection, which literally means that "you are heavenly", and the suitor respects and looks upon to you. The red roses in bouquet arrangement or combined with white roses give the meaning and symbol of love and unity. It also represents kinship and loyalty. The purple roses symbolize love and enchantment at first sight. Pink roses are generally concluded to represent elegance and refinement.

It may come in different shades such as cerise tone or deep pink, which means appreciation and gratitude, and very light pink signifies sympathy. Yellow roses that come in bouquet arrangement mean "trying to care". For a new beginning, eagerness and enthusiasm, orange roses are the best epitome. Peach roses epitomized that something had been reached or achieved. A deep burgundy color of rose flowers represents the message of "you are so beautiful without even knowing it" or literally means unconscious beauty. Green roses have been into existence since 1856 as it symbolizes fruitfulness and fertility. Black roses represent death while the blue roses signify mystery.

The meaning of rose flower colors can be interpreted in many ways. Rose flowers have always been very attractive and historical to many people. It even symbolizes virtue, optimism and hope to some people. More importantly, rose flowers will always play a significant role in our lives as humans in whatever time.

How to Pick Perfect Flowers for Valentine's Day

When we say Valentine's day, we really mean beautiful flowers. Each February 14th, people around the world send millions of greeting cards and flowers to their loved ones. Men are searching for Valentines day flowers, and women send Valentines flowers to men as well.

To lovers, red roses are the first and the best choice for Valentine's Day flowers. The relationship you have with your girlfriend affects the color of roses you send. Red roses are generally reserved for longer relationships where the couple is passionately in love. Pink roses are more appropriate for a newer relationship. They symbolize the relationship and happiness, but do not put any pressure on the girl regarding your feelings other than to let her know you really like her. Any color of rose is appropriate, especially if your girlfriend is passionate about a certain color. Primrose, in essence, says that you cannot live without her. Red signifies passion, pink that she is on your mind and white sweetness.

If you are buying flowers for a daughter or a mom, then affectionate and cheerful flowers are more appropriate - wild flowers, tulips, Gerber daisies, or any flower that is a woman's particular favorite. Pink, yellow, orange, or white roses are popular choice and appropriate for a mom or daughter Every woman loves roses, and the alternate colors brighten up the rose as well as show love in a non-romantic way. Red roses are reserved only for romantic relationships.

Men love flowers too. If flowers are not the first thing that comes to mind for a man's gift. the vast majority of men do enjoy receiving Valentine day flowers. The flowers for Valentine's day that are most appropriate for men, regardless of the position the man holds in your life, are flowers that are bright and vibrant in reds, oranges and yellows. Roses, Gerber daisies and carnations are always great choices - not to mention any particular favorite flower the man might have from orchids to a cactus. Of course, if you are sending Valentine's flowers to your husband or boyfriend red roses are just as appropriate for men as they are for women and represent the love and passion in the relationship. Valentine flowers specifically for a dad or a son should show appreciation and thoughtfulness on Valentine's day. Again, bright colored flowers, plants and bonsai trees are also great choices.

Valentine's Day - Why Rose Is The Preferred Flower

The world is full of flowers. Visit any place dedicated to flowers and you will be amazed at the types of flowers, and facts about them. Flowers come in all shapes, and colors. Some of them can intoxicate you with their lovely perfume. Some are so delicate that one fears touching them. And all of them are stunningly beautiful. still, it is the Rose which is preferred around the world as a flower of choice on the Valentine's day? I wonder about this. And though I have not tried to search for the reasons, here is my own theory on why it is so. One another fact struck me. We can get Roses in many colors but still it the dark red that is preferred as the flower of love. Why?

Let us first think about the color choice. I think that dark red must be the preferred color as it looks like red. And every true lover is ready to shed his/her blood for the beloved. Also love is associated with the heart, and heart pumps blood. So red signifies love. Colors have their own significance, looking at any white color, the first thought is of purity. Same way red means love.

Now let us examine our central theme. Why Rose? A Rose has thorns. But the thorns are below the Rose. The Rose represents life beautifully. It has very soft petals, that tell us about the soft side of living and thorns to convey that life is not all the bed of Roses without thorns. What does a lover do? A true lover will always take the thorns and give only the soft flowers to his/her darling. That is love and love demands that one give only comfort to one's darling. Love demands sacrifice. Love demands giving of joy. Love demands that all pain be kept away from the beloved. That is also the message a lover sends across to his/her beloved with a Rose. I have kept the thorns with myself and I am sending you these soft flowers . I think this is the reason why on Valentine's day, the red Rose is the flower of choice.

The Meaning of Valentine's Day Flowers

Nothing says it is Valentine’s Day better than red roses. The meaning of Valentine’s Day flowers with red roses is love. It is an ideal, but unoriginal, way of telling her that you love her without saying a word. You have to have the mindset of what type of flower arrangement, including color and type of flower, would personalize her best. When choosing flowers for this lover’s holiday, do keep in mind the type of person that you are buying for. Roses come in a variety of colors and meanings. While the red rose is all for love, the yellow has a meaning of friendship and the pink is all about happiness.

Valentine’s Day is by far the most romantic of the holidays. While red roses are a favorite of this holiday, they also have a strong meaning of passion. That is what these fragrant gifts should convey for the meaning of Valentine’s Day flowers. This holiday is one of two holidays in which flower giving is the most popular. The other holiday is Mother’s Day. Giving flowers is a token of your affection to the one that you love. Women are not the only recipients on this holiday. Men love to be in this role too. The meaning of Valentine’s Day flowers for the man in your life is a symbol of love and the arrangements should be kept simple and masculine.

Give a bouquet to your special valentine. She will know instantly that you thought of her first on this holiday and hopefully her sentiment is the same for you. You both will be bursting with love and this day will be forever remembered. Now we have discussed the red rose as an option for Valentine’s Day. It is a flower that has been given over and over again and has lost some of its love appeal. Consider a sunflower for the person in your life. The meaning of this Valentine’s Day flower is admiration. Your special someone will feel adored by you all day long. How about a For-get-me not? This flower means true love. You could not say it any better. A tulip given on Valentine’s Day has a meaning of the perfect lover. Now that is a desired compliment.

The meaning of Valentine’s Day flowers can be what ever you would like. The person receiving them will get an overwhelming feeling of appreciation that you thought of them on this day. No matter what type of flower you give her, one thing is for sure, she will love the thought behind this gift that speaks ever so loudly to the heart without ever saying a word.