Valentine’s Day – To be Loved? Or To be in Love?  (Part 2)

In my last blog, I shared some interesting facts (well at least I believed them to be interesting) about Valentine’s Day.  This time, I would like to share information on why we have some of the symbols that are used during Valentine’s Day.

Cards were the essential gift of Valentine’s Day until the “commercialism” of Valentine’s Day developed as we know it to be today.  To receive a hand-made card was all that was required; because the card would be decorated with lace, hearts, and a beautiful verse or two.  This was the quintessential of expressing love. 

Cupid or (Eros in Greek Mythology) is known to be the God of Love, and son of Venus, the Goddess of Love.  He went from being a sexy Adonis figure, to being a pudgy little cherub thanks in part to desire, to make him more presentable to women and children.  Most of the time when you see Cupid today, he portrayed as the pudgy little cherub that we know today.  It has been said that Cupid would shoot his invisible arrows (which were filled with desire) into the hearts of intended loves and they would fall madly in love.  Blame Cupid for all misfortunes of love! (Although, my vote is to bring back the Adonis figure of Cupid!)

Hearts, for Valentine’s Day are primarily three colors.  Red: represents warmth and feelings, the human heart, and life.  White: represents purity or faith; it can also represent the love between two people.  Pink:  represents innocents or virginity. (“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’ ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

Roses:  Venus…red roses were said to be her favorites flower.  If red roses are good enough for the Goddess of Love, then surely, we as mortals can appreciate them. 

“My love is like a red red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
My love is like the melodie
That’s sweetly play’d in tune.” ~Robert Burns

Candy – chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac for years!  A no-brainer! “God gave the angels wings, and he gave humans chocolate.” ~Author Unknown

Too many of us are hung up on the idea of love, lost-love, no love, wanting love, desiring love, falling out of love, falling in love, being in love, hating love, detesting love, dreaming of love, hung up on love…I really don’t need to go on.  Remember, Valentine’s Day is only one day!  You still have 364 other days (ok, 365 in a leap year), to appreciate those you love.  Valentine’s Day does not define you as a man or woman.  Expect not and gain everything!  There are many ways to show love and be loved; not always does it have to be romantic love!  Express love on Valentine’s Day to everyone and don’t worry about receiving love back.  Que Sera, Sera!

My thoughts: “Focus your love on those who love you; don’t pen your hopes on love!  I would rather you love me than be in love with me.”~Muriel 

Happy Valentine’s Day!