Friday, February 14th is Valentine’s Day — the perfect time to celebrate love and friendship. Did you know that this tradition is centuries old? Valentine’s Day originated during the Roman Empire and has evolved through the ages into the romantic celebration we know today. With this giveaway, you have a chance to surprise a special friend with a cozy, warm linen bedding set in their favourite colour.
how to enter:
1. Follow us on Instagram and like this post.
2. Comment with @bymolle and tag that special person you want to surprise.
3. Make sure you both follow By Mölle on Instagram.
The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Instagram on Monday, February 17, 2025.
the origins of Valentine’s Day
The roots of Valentine’s Day can likely be traced back to the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, celebrated annually around February 15th since 200 B.C. This fertility festival was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I abolished the festival and declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day, honoring a Christian martyr.
the legend of St. Valentine
One of the most famous stories about St. Valentine involves a priest in 3rd-century Rome. Emperor Claudius II banned marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples. When his actions were discovered, he was arrested on February 14th.
According to another legend, Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s daughter during his imprisonment. Before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine.” This phrase is thought to be the origin of sending love letters on Valentine’s Day.
the middle ages: a celebration of romance
During the Middle Ages, February 14th took on a romantic meaning. It was believed that this was the day when birds began to pair up. Poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer wrote about Valentine’s Day as a day of love and romance. It became a tradition to exchange love letters and poems.
The first known Valentine’s card was written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orléans, to his wife while he was imprisoned. The custom of sending anonymous Valentine’s cards also began during this period, adding a sense of mystery and excitement that continues to this day.
modern Valentine’s day
It wasn’t until the 19th century that Valentine’s Day became truly commercialized. In Britain and later in America, printed Valentine’s cards became popular, often adorned with images of cupids, hearts, and flowers. Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with not only cards but also flowers, jewelry, romantic dinners, and personalized gifts. While the day is mainly about romantic love, more people are celebrating it with friends and family as well.
Valentine’s Day around the world
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in unique ways across different countries. In Japan, women give chocolates to men, and a month later - on White Day- men return the favor with gifts. In Finland, Valentine’s Day is all about friendship and is called Ystävänpäivä, which means “Friend’s Day.” In Italy, the land of romance, couples celebrate with romantic dinners and gifts. It’s also a tradition to attach a love padlock to a bridge and throw away the key as a symbol of eternal love.
In Denmark, people exchange funny poems or riddles, often signing them with dots instead of a signature. The recipient must guess who sent the card. In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is known as Día del Amor y la Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship). Besides giving gifts to their loved ones, people also give flowers and cards to friends.
Whether you celebrate it in a big way or keep it simple and personal, Valentine’s Day has been a beautiful tradition for centuries—a day to show love and friendship.