Every couple of years I like to go back and review the legends and lore surrounding the creation of February 14th as Valentine’s Day.  History has recorded a couple of different versions of the ancient beginning for the date of February 14th becoming Valentine’s Day. 

The story I like is a historical account for Saint Valentine.  According to this version, Saint Valentine served as a priest in the temple during  the reign of Emperer Claudius.  Claudius had decreed that priests of this time could not perform any marriages.  His reasoning behind this decree was to keep the men single so they would be free of any family ties that would keep them from volunteering for his army.    Saint Valentine disagreed with this decree and continued to perform marriages for couples in secret.  When Claudius found out he had Saint Valentine jailed.  During Saint Valentine’s time in jail he became friends with the jailor’s daughter, who brought food and was nice to him during her visits.   The story continues that on the day Saint Valentine was executed and died that he left a note for the jailor’s daughter signed “Love from your Valentine”.  The date Saint Valentine died was February 14, 269 A.D.  As time passed, February 14th became the date known for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the “patron saint of lovers”.  The date was celebrated by sending poems and messages with gifts such as flowers.

Another historical account from the middle ages shares a story of how “valentines” were chosen.  In this account young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be.  They would then wear the name of their valentine on their sleeves for one week.  This story is one explanation for the saying “wear your heart on your sleeve” and the modern version of wearing your heart on your sleeve meaning people can see and know how you are feeling. 

Another account shares a story about carved wooden love spoons in Wales.  The wooden love spoons were carved with hearts, keys and keyholes as decorations and given as gifts on February 14th.  The carved decorations meant “You unlock my heart!”   

Here in the United States, Miss Esther Howland is credited with sending the first valentine cards.  History says the first commercial valentine cards were introduced in the 1800’s.  And we all know that Hallmark took it from there!

Since I am thinking about Valentine’s Day, I will share some of my current RED designs.

This necklace set is available at KC Bead Designs here for more information.

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KC Bead Designs – Beaded Jewelry by Cheryl Skeens, located in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area, is owned and operated by Cheryl Skeens. In business since 2003 as a jewelry artist / designer of handcrafted beaded jewelry such as beaded earrings, bracelets, necklaces, eyeglass chains, beaded lanyards, zipper pulls, cell phone charms, mother’s bracelets, bridal and prom jewelry and more. Reflections. . .Beaded Jewelry. . .by Cheryl Skeens opened in July 2008 along with her new blog-site and is her second online store.