Here are some curiosities about Valentine's Day, between legend and truth
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14, considered for centuries the day of lovers. But where does this holiday come from?
There is still uncertainty about the origin but it is believed to derive from the celebration of the pagan festival of Lupercali in honor of Lupercus, protector of shepherds and revered as the god of fertility and prosperity. During the festival, the priests of the cult of Lupercus walked the streets of Rome beating passers-by with goatskin bandages to bless them and protect them from disease. These rituals also served to hope for the reproduction of both animals and humans.
Around 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I put an end to the celebration of the Lupercalia, establishing in its place a day dedicated to romantic , fertile and prosperous love, to which they associated the protection of Valentine's Day.
But who was Valentine? It is a bishop, martyr and saint born in 176 AD in Terni. Legend has it that he was the first to celebrate the union between a Roman legionary and a Christian woman during the reign of Claudius II. In 270 he went to Rome to preach the Gospel and try to convert the pagans. Emperor Claudius II tried to get him to renounce his faith, but Valentine refused. Later, he was arrested and sentenced to death for his faith.
Over time, this holiday associated with the figure of Valentine's Day has grown into a Christian celebration of love and affection. In the fifteenth century, we find that Charles, the Duke of Orleans, while a prisoner in the Tower of London, wrote love notes to his wife, calling her "sweet Valentina", inspired by a line recited by Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet:
" Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and, as soon as the day is breaking, I who am a girl will knock on your window, I want to be your Valentina ".
Valentine's Day has become a day of celebration that encourages lovers to show their love through messages, flowers and especially chocolates. In fact, giving chocolate on Valentine's Day has become a tradition in many parts of the world and has different historical and cultural roots.
Chocolate symbolizes affection and love, precisely because of its aphrodisiac, toning and nourishing properties and is often associated with moments of pleasure and special occasions. That's why, giving chocolate on Valentine's Day is a way to show love and attention to your partner or loved one.
And if we talk about chocolate… we immediately think of the tasty Venezuelan dark chocolate pralines with a heart of drops of pure Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO aged 12 years signed Black Drops .
Packaged in an elegant box, embellished with a fabric ribbon, they will be the perfect message of love, not only on Valentine's Day.
