Valentine’s Day. Traditions.
This pleasant holiday, came to us from abroad in the 90’s. Today, he has already gotten quite strong, and we can not imagine how you can do without him. In different countries it is celebrated in different ways, let’s see how …
Traditions of the world.
Americans on Valentine’s Day congratulate all their friends and relatives, including the most beloved ones. And in the beginning of the 10th century local men gave their ladies marzipans, which at that time were quite expensive. Confectioners picked up this trend and offered consumers a choice of various delicacies with congratulations for the holiday.
A fairly interesting custom exists in Canada. If you believe the stories, on February 14 a woman can make an offer to her lover. If he refuses such a “gift”, he can get a fine or even go to jail. It is possible that on this day some men flee from women not to receive a gift. Although this applies only to those who are not married.
In England, it is customary to give women red roses as a token of attention and explanation in love. In the report, a girl can present an apple as an endorsement and a confirmation of mutual feelings. Even on this day, the British do not ignore the pets and buy a special food in the form of hearts. Well, maybe it’s difficult for us to understand this attitude to our lesser friends, but you will agree, it’s quite nice.
If you plunge into the old days, then in England there were other traditions for the Day of All Lovers. Children, for example, were worn as adults and they ran from house to house, singing songs about Valentine (as an example our children with carols). For this children received sweets and a few coins. Residents of Wales carved from the tree “spoons of love”, decorating them with keys, locks and hearts. It was a way to say to your beloved or beloved “You found the keys to my heart”. Also, for a long time the British had a custom, choose Valentine for a year: the girls wrote their names on pieces of parchment and put them in a vessel. The guys took turns pulling shreds, and that name, the young man pulled out, became his Valentine for the whole year.
Unmarried Britons were guessing at the lover. Here’s one way: early in the morning on February 14 they stood at the window and looked at the empty street. The first person the woman saw was supposed to be like her future bridegroom. And the girls attached 5 bay leaves to the pillow with pins: one in the middle, others in the edges. It was believed that they could see this in their dream.
The Japanese are all rather strange. Representatives of the strong half of humanity receive more gifts here than women. At the same time they have special chocolate “honmei” – you can give it only to a special husband, as they say, “the only one”. And still here an annual contest is held for the best declaration of love. The guys go to a special stage and cry out their greetings to the beloved person with all their strength.
France is not for nothing called the “land of love” – it was the French who first began to greet each other in a poetic form. It is customary here to give precious jewelry or jewelry to Valentine’s Day, as well as chocolate mousses, erotic linen, pink yoghurts, candy hearts, lottery tickets and romantic trips for two. South Africa also celebrates Valentine’s Day.
Ironically, this country is considered one of the most romantic, because its location attracts hundreds of couples who dream to luxuriate on this day on the beach. Local girls cling to the sleeve of a piece of paper with the name of a loved one. And parties and feasts can last a whole week. The inhabitants of Denmark send dried flowers to each other, while you receive this flower, which you associate with your loved one. Danes write funny, usually anonymous poems “gaekkebrev”. The girl herself must guess who he is, if he succeeds, then in the same year she will receive a chocolate Easter egg.
In Germany, no romance! In them, Saint Valentine is, first of all, the patron of the mentally ill.That is why on February 14 all psychiatric hospitals are decorated with red ribbons. Residents of Iceland are lighting fires in honor of Vali – son of Odin, although the holiday itself also symbolizes love. Girls put the children on the neck of the embers, and those in return give the girls small pebbles – it is believed that for the fire, a spark is needed, which appears from the friction of the stone against the stone.
The Dutch, like the Canadians, adhere to the principle that on February 14 a woman can herself make an offer to a man. However, if he refuses, then he must give her a silk dress.
In Italy, February 14 is considered a “sweet day”, because the main gift is the sweets.The very popular option is “Baci Perugina” – nuts covered with chocolate.In each such candy you can find a small note with statements of love in several languages. their only beloved.When in ancient times the Italians celebrated on this day the holiday of spring, and therefore all the actions took place in the open area: the youth gathered in pavilions and gardens, enjoyed music and poetry.
In Finland, this day is called the Day of Friends, and chrome loved ones, the cards are sent to the best friends.This holiday became popular in the eighties, Valentine’s Day reached these parts thanks to American students, came here on an exchange.It is believed that such a transformation with the holiday was due to the desire of local men and women for equality.
Iran refers to countries that do not just do not celebrate Valentine’s Day, in which the holiday is officially banned, and anyone who comes to mind is to be fined. Here you will not find in the stores no red roses, no bears, no valentines. But Jamaica has recently been famous for loud festivities, timed for Valentine’s Day. At one of the local resorts on this day, organized several “naked weddings”, participation in which mostly nudists took part.
Valentine’s Day is a very popular holiday in Australia. Local people consider it an excellent opportunity to strengthen family relations and meet friends. It is said that at the time of the gold rush local lucky people became so rich that they began to order rather extravagant valentines, the cost of which sometimes reached thousands of Australian pounds. One such masterpiece, for example, was made of satin cushions, decorated with stuffed hummingbirds and birds of paradise. Preserved such a miracle in a special decorated casket. Today, everything here is much simpler, Australians get by with simple leaflets, flowers and sweets.
In Armenia, on the eve of Valentine’s Day, there is a special holiday of lovers – Trndez, which has been one of the most popular local traditions for centuries. On this day lovers jump over the fire, believing that only this way you can really temper your feelings and become happy. To the account of the origin of this custom, Armenian people are told different legends. According to one, the “culprits” were forest spirits: they jumped over the fire to kindle their feelings. Even before our era, it was the custom here: newlyweds who were just married should necessarily perform such a ritual. The elder spouses, when their feelings cool down, or between them there are constant quarrels, as well as unmarried “old maidens” and girls who can not wait for the wedding, you can also jump through the fire once.
Well, if you congratulate your beloved, confess your feelings or please your loved ones, this is a pleasant and kind thing.
The company Aqua Cosmetics Group for this holiday made a special cute product – handmade soap and a delicate floral aroma in the form of heart.
Love each other!
