10 STRANGE FACTS & THE DARK ORIGINS OF VALENTINE’S DAY

Strange times to be talking about Valentine’s day, isn’t it? You might be wondering now, what is the author talking about. Well, I can reassure you that it’s pretty on time if you are in the jewelry business and let me explain why below.

Older or younger, man or woman you probably know that every February 14, across places around the world, candy, flowers and jewelry gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. With almost 6 months till next Valentine’s celebration now is the best time to research and order fresh jewelry designs.

But before, a little history. Who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions with dark origins come from?

THE DARK LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE

The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint–is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

From Feb. 13 to 15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. The men sacrificed a goat and a dog, then whipped women with the hides of the animals they had just slain. The Roman romantics “were drunk. They were naked,” says Noel Lenski, a historian at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Young women would actually line up for the men to hit them, Lenski says. They believed this would make them fertile.

The brutal fete included a matchmaking lottery, in which young men drew the names of women from a jar. The couple would then be, um, coupled up for the duration of the festival — or longer, if the match was right. The ancient Romans may also be responsible for the name of our modern day of love. Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D. Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day.

Later, Pope Gelasius I muddled things in the 5th century by combining St. Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals. But the festival was more of a theatrical interpretation of what it had once been. Lenski adds, “It was a little more of a drunken revel, but the Christians put clothes back on it. That didn’t stop it from being a day of fertility and love.” Around the same time, the Normans celebrated Galatin’s Day. Galatin meant “lover of women.” That was likely confused with St. Valentine’s Day at some point, in part because they sound alike.

10 STRANGE FACTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT VALENTINE’S DAY

Many believe the X symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn’t write their names signed in front of a witness with an X. The X was then kissed to show their sincerity.

Girls of medieval times ate bizarre foods on this day to make them dream of their future spouse.
Physicians of the 1800s commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost love.
Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for this holiday in the late 1800s.
15 percent of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day. (the rest prefer jewelry…)
The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all gifts on this holiday including jewelry.
Every Valentine’s Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.
In Japan, women are expected to give chocolate and other gifts to men on Valentine’s Day. This tradition was started as a marketing campaign by Japanese chocolate companies.
The official world record for the longest marriage for a living couple belongs to Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher, who were married for a total of 86 years and 290 days before Mr. Fisher passed away

“BRILLIANT BLESSINGS”

Drawing inspiration from positive living and speaking directly to all women who embrace optimism “Brilliant Blessings” jewelry collection is designed with the purpose of letting the inscribed message be your daily inspiration through difficult times.

All jewelry designs follow a clean and simple line with an inscribed empowering personal message on them. Made from Sterling Silver with 2 tone color accents of silver & rose gold. Prices start from $5 and go all the way up to $20.

“TRUE TO YOU”

Unique and inspiring jewelry pieces that serve as a reminder to be true to yourself. “True To You” jewelry collection is inspired by our personal journey in life. These jewelry designs hold the inspiring message of staying true to yourself to create the life you love.

Products follow a mix of modern and classic patterns, manufactured with high precision craftsmanship. Made from Sterling Silver, these mesmerizing jewelry pieces feature Cubic Zirconia crystals and come in rose gold plating. Available as bracelets, charms, and necklaces with prices starting from $7 and all the way up to $25.

Now is the time to place an order and secure the hottest jewelry designs for the upcoming Valentine’s celebration. Click the “Contact us” button below and let our customer success team delight you.

Let’s make sure that this Valentines Day, you are getting the highest quality sterling silver with crystals jewelry crafts and increase your profit with the early movers 10% discount for every confirmed order we receive, before November 30th.

(Terms & Conditions: This promotion is available until 30th of November 2017 and it cannot be combined with any other promotion. Minimum order is $5,000. The order will have to be confirmed with a deposit to get approved for the promotion.)