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- Floristería Mallora
- flowers and care
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Every 14 February millions of people celebrate love, but where does this tradition come from and why do we give flowers? The history of Valentine's Day blends roots in ancient Rome, a Christian legend and centuries of symbols that ended up making the red rose the flower of love.
Here it is, short and clear: the origin, the legend of the saint, the role of Cupid and why flowers —especially roses— became the gift of the day.
Contents
- The origin of Valentine's Day
- The legend of Saint Valentine
- Cupid and the symbols of love
- Why we give flowers (and red roses)
- Valentine's Day today
- Frequently asked questions
The origin of Valentine's Day
The origin lies in ancient Rome. In mid-February the Lupercalia were held, festivals dedicated to fertility and the start of spring. As Christianity spread, those pagan celebrations were gradually replaced by a Christian feast.
In the 5th century, the Church set 14 February in memory of a martyr named Valentine, executed in Rome in the 3rd century. Over time, the date became tied to love and courtship.
The legend of Saint Valentine
The best-known version says Valentine was a priest in the Rome of Emperor Claudius II. The emperor had banned young soldiers from marrying, convinced single men made better fighters. Valentine, disagreeing, kept marrying couples in secret.
When discovered, he was imprisoned and sentenced to death on a 14 February. Tradition adds that, before dying, he signed a farewell note «from your Valentine». More than confirmed history, it's a beautiful legend that explains why we tie this day to love.
Cupid and the symbols of love
Among Valentine's symbols, none is as recognisable as Cupid. In Roman mythology he is the god of desire, son of Venus (the goddess of love); his arrows make whoever is struck fall in love at once.
To him we add the heart, a universal symbol of affection, and doves, linked to faithfulness. All of them have accompanied the celebration until becoming its usual imagery.
Why we give flowers (and red roses)
The custom of giving flowers is rooted in mythology: the rose was the flower of Venus (Aphrodite to the Greeks), goddess of love and beauty. That's why it became forever tied to romantic feelings.
Centuries later, the Victorian era popularised the language of flowers: each flower and colour carried a message. The red rose meant passionate love, and so it became the flower of Valentine's Day. It's still the queen of 14 February, though other flowers with a personal meaning are increasingly given too.
Valentine's Day today
From that Roman root to today, Valentine's Day is celebrated almost everywhere as the day of lovers. Customs vary by country, but the underlying gesture remains: giving something to the person we love. And flowers, with roses at the front, are still the most chosen gift.
If you want to get it right this 14 February, we'll help you choose in our guide to choosing the perfect Valentine's bouquet, or you can go straight to our rose bouquets.
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