About Valentine's Day
There are several ideas of where Valentine’s Day originates from. The most commonly told story is that St Valentine was a priest from Rome in the 3rd century AD.
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Emperor Claudius had banned marriage because he thought that married men made bad soldiers. Valentine felt this was unfair so he broke the rules and arranged marriages in secret . When the emperor found out, Valentine was sent to jail and sentenced to death. While there he fell in love with the jail keeper’s daughter. When he was taken to be killed on the 14th February, he signed off his last letter to his love “from your Valentine”, which has become a popular signature on today's cards.
Another theory is that the holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia. This was held in mid-February officially the start of Spring. As part of the festival, it is thought that women were paired with men via a lottery. Later on the church wanted to change this into a Christian festival so replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century.
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Lastly during the Middle Ages, it was widely believed in France and England that February 14th was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which enhanced the idea that Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance.
Symbols of Love
The heart image has become the most symbolic image of ‘love’, so prevalent has it become that it is now very common to see this iconic symbol used in place of the word. There is no more universal way to show someone how you feel about them.
Eternity rings are considered one of the most romantic gifts you can give your spouse or life partner. They tend to be given to symbolise a special event such as a big wedding anniversary or a birth. Eternity rings are a continuous circle of diamonds that have no beginning or end, a symbol of never ending love and devotion.
A modern interpretation of everlasting love is the infinity symbol. It is derived from a mathematical symbol representing the concept of infinity. The symbol is used not just romantically but between friends and other loved ones to signify friendship and forever love.
Proposals
As Valentine’s Day is a holiday that’s all about love, it is the second most popular day to get engaged worldwide. Receiving a ring definitely beats a box of chocolates or a bouquet of red roses. Even celebrities get engaged on Valentine’s Day. Orlando Bloom proposed to Katy Perry on Valentines Day 2019 with a flower inspired ring to symbolise their love ‘in bloom’. Harrison Ford also proposed to Calista Flockheart on Valentine’s Day 2009 with a more traditional emerald cut halo ring.
Romantic Date
This Valentines if you are looking for something romantic to do in Israel visit the Darom Adom Festival ( www.habsor.co.il )
which is held over the four weekends from (Thu, Jan 30, 2020 – Thu, Feb 27, 2020). The ordinarily green landscape of the northern Negev is covered with a stunning carpet of scarlet red Anemones (Calanit) which is Israel’s national flower . This could be a great place to propose, hint hint ;)
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There is another chance to celebrate love in Israel. Tu B’Av takes place in the summer months, this year it starts on the sunset of the 4th August -5th August 2020, meaning there are two great dates to celebrate love in Israel.
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So if you are looking to find something special for the one you love, come and visit us at Yosefi Jewellery.