It is that time of the year when we show our
love for each other by sending
flowers, cards and
chocolates .
However,
Valentines Day is not just about public displays of affection. Over recent years it has become big money-spinning exercise. In just the UK, we spend more than £20 million on flowers, whilst over $1 billion is spent on chocolates alone in the United States.
Valentine’s Day has become a global industry, with over 80 million
roses sold worldwide. The origins of the day are somewhat forgotten.
There is no clarity as to who St Valentine was, although certain historians suggest he was a Roman martyred in the third century AD by a Roman Emperor. It is considered that the first recorded Valentine’s card was sent by the imprisoned Duke of Orleans in 1415. It is thought that elieved that he sought solace from his confinement by writing
love poems to his wife.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in multiple countries around the world, with traditions differing from place to place. In
Japan, women send chocolates to men, whilst in Korea April 14th is known as ‘Black Day’ and is when the unfortunate men who received nothing on Valentine’s Day gather to eat noodles and wallow in their misery.
