There used to be a lot of Christian names Valentine. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, at least three St Valentines associated with February 14th  are mentioned. One is described as a priest in Rome, another one as Bishop of Interamna (now Terni in Italy) and the other who lived and died in Africa. The Valentine that the majority of experts accept as the actual saint commemorated on Saint Valentine’s Day was a Roman who was martyred for refusing to renounce his Christian beliefs.

What happens on Valentine’s Day in Britain?

Each year in Britain we spend around £503 on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts for St Valentine’s Day. Traditionally these were sent anonymously, but nowadays we tend to make it clear who is sending each ‘Valentine’.

Valentine’s Day Superstitions and traditions

Traditionally spring begins on St. Valentine’s Day (February 14th) , the day on which birds choose their mates. In some parts of Sussex, Valentine’s Day is called “The Birds’ Wedding Day”.

Some more traditions / superstitions associated with Valentine’s Day may include:

• The first man  to be seen by a single woman on February 14th would be her future husband.
• If a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor.
• If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy.
• If she saw a goldfinch,  she would marry a rich person.
• In the Middle Ages, young men and women would draw names from a ball to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week.
• In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and offered as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The meaning of these decorations is self-explanatory. (ie. “you unlock my heart”).