Today, sending cards on Valentine's Day has become an integral part of celebrating this romantic occasion. It is a way for individuals to express their feelings towards their significant others or secret admirers. From heartfelt messages to playful sentiments, these cards serve as tangible reminders of love and appreciation. In this section, we will explore the fascinating history of Valentine's Day and delve into the tradition of sending cards as a way to convey heartfelt emotions.
A Brief History of Valentine's Origin
Valentine's Day has Roman roots, much like many of our contemporary holidays—just not the Audrey Hepburn-starring variety. February acquired its name from the Roman purification ceremony known as Februa, which took place on February 15th. This is when the holiday that we love today, Valentine's Day, first emerged. Ultimately, Lupercalia—a pagan celebration intended to ensure fertility and plenty for the upcoming year—became associated with Februa.
During the Lupercalia rituals, goats and dogs were offered as sacrifices to the Roman god Lupercus, who was associated with agriculture and shepherds. Following this, young men were sent rushing through the streets with strips of the blood-soaked hide of the sacrificial goat. It was thought that striking a lady with one of the strips of hide would ensure her fertility and a safe delivery the following year. In order to guarantee abundant crops for the upcoming season, the men would also hit fields and crops with the hide.
Lupercalia commemorated the founding of Rome as well. Two young orphan boys named Romulus and Remus are fostered by a lone she-wolf in the story of Rome's beginnings. The Lupercalia festival started every year in the hallowed cave where Roman priests said the wolf had reared Romulus and Remus. Lupus, the Latin word for wolf, is most likely where the term Lupercalia originates.
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The Origin of The First Valentine’s Day Card
Charles, Duke of Orleans, wrote the first passionate Valentine's Day message that has survived while incarcerated in the Tower of London following his English capture at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. The love poem, addressed to his spouse Bonne of Armagnac, uses the term "Valentine" as a term of endearment multiple times.
Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée
This French prose translates to “I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine” in English. Sadly, the Duke's wife passed away before she could hear his loving words from her imprisoned husband; they are now kept in the British Library.
The oldest known Valentine in the English language is also housed in the British Library. The love letter was sent by Margery Brews to her fiancé John Paston in February of 1477. Though she hasn't been able to persuade her father to increase her dowry, Margery addresses John as her "right well-beloved Valentine" and begs him to marry her. (In the fifteenth century, practical issues were just as important to romance as love.) Romantics, good news: the couple did end up getting married.
Victorian Influence
Much like many other contemporary romantic customs (such as dressing in white to a wedding), the modern Valentine's Day card really took off in Britain during the Victorian era. The mass market was able to produce and purchase cards more easily due to the decreasing cost of printing, and mailing them became more economical with the advent of the penny post. Approximately 60,000 Valentine's Day cards were mailed in Britain in 1835. Five years later, with the introduction of the penny post, that amount shot up to almost 400,000 cards!
Aside from increasing the quantity of cards sent annually, the introduction of reasonably priced printing and shipping altered the essence of Valentine's Day cards. Valentine's Day cards stopped being solely about romance in the 19th century, especially once the penny post was established around 1840. Instead, designs that were amusing, political, offensive, or even, tragically, racist began to appear.
Since the Queen gave the era its name, we have come to associate the Victorian era of history with being quite prim and proper. But the truth was very different behind closed doors. Examine some vintage Valentine's Day cards, such as the one that York Castle Museum featured in a previous Valentine's Day card show. It included sarcasm, flirting, and political wit that would be perfectly appropriate in today's world, along with a mustache fashioned of real mustache hair. (In case you were wondering, the moustache card was indeed deemed the "worst ever" Valentine's Day card by York Castle Museum.)
But the Victorian era is better recognized for its elaborate, refined style, which was seen in many of the Valentine's Day cards produced at that time. The characteristic elements of elaborately layered Victorian Valentine's Day cards were lace, cut paper, and complex full-color graphics. Like many other 19th-century fashions, some of these elements were influenced by emerging technology. For example, some European stationery producers found that they could create intricately cut paper by filing down the embossed paper's surface. Then, using this cut paper, layers, and windows were created, revealing lovely printed images from the era's Valentine's Day cards.
The Mother of the American Valentine
Known as the "Mother of the American Valentine," Esther Howland is recognised for having invented the first mass-produced printed Valentine's Day cards in the country. Her father ran the biggest stationery store in Worcester, Massachusetts. Howland was inspired to create a line of Valentine's Day cards in 1849 after receiving one from England. Howland used a number of local women to construct her cards, which included elaborate designs and lacey cutouts, at her house. (In a sense, Howland's labourers could be considered the Victorian forerunners of today's professional Etsy artists.) Howland's father ran a stationery business, so she used it to import materials and illustrations from Europe for her Valentines. This made her cards unique from other Valentines that were previously available in the United States at the time.
Howland sold up to $100,000 worth of Valentine's Day cards year during the height of her career, and she distributed them all throughout the nation. Howland's business eventually took on the name New England Valentine Company. Up until the middle of the 1870s, the business operated out of its home until moving its manufacturing into its first factory. After George Whitney, the owner of a rival Valentine company, bought Esther Howland's New England Valentine Company in 1881, Howland gave up her business career to take care of her sick father.
We are grateful to Ms. Howland for her role in a significant change in Valentine's Day card design. Valentine's Day and sending cards have always gone hand in hand, ever from the era of her female-led business empire.
Hallmark Valentines
For many Americans, the word Hallmark has come to be associated with Valentine's Day in the 20th century and beyond. In 1913, Hallmark, formerly known as Hall Bros., began selling Valentine's Day cards. After acquiring the first postcard designs from a different business, the company started creating its own Valentine's Day card designs in 1916.
Valentine's Day grew increasingly commercialized during the course of the 20th century, thanks to Hallmark and businesses that sell goods like chocolate and flowers. One hundred years after Queen Victoria passed away, the subtle custom of her day to discreetly send well-wishes—or not—has evolved into a risque-card and lingerie-filled event. However, the celebration has spread to friends and family as well, with schoolchildren making and exchanging Valentine's Day cards in class exchanges.
Tips for Writing Valentine’s Day Card
Writing a Valentine's Day card can be a heartfelt and meaningful way to express your love and affection for someone special. Whether it's for your partner, family member, or friend, here are some tips to help you craft the perfect Valentine's Day card:
- Start with a thoughtful greeting: Begin your card with a warm and personal greeting that captures the recipient's attention. Consider using endearing terms like "Dear," "Sweetheart," or their name to create an intimate connection.
- Express your feelings: Use genuine and heartfelt words to convey your emotions. Share what you love about the person, their qualities that make them special, and how they have impacted your life.
- Be specific and personal: Make the message personal by referencing shared memories or inside jokes that only the two of you would understand. This adds a unique touch and shows that you've put thought into the card.
- Keep it concise: While it's important to express yourself fully, remember that a Valentine's Day card is typically short and sweet. Aim for a concise message that captures the essence of your feelings without overwhelming the reader.
- Use poetic language or quotes: If you're comfortable with it, consider incorporating romantic quotes or poetic language into your message. This can add an extra layer of elegance and charm to your words.
- Add humor if appropriate: Depending on your relationship with the recipient, adding some light-hearted humor can make the card more enjoyable to read. Just ensure that it aligns with their sense of humor and doesn't detract from the sentimentality of the overall message.
- Sign off with love: End your card with an affectionate closing such as "With all my love," "Yours forever," or simply "Love." This final touch reinforces the emotional connection between you and leaves a lasting impression.
Conclusion
Valentine's Day cards have evolved from handwritten notes to digital messages and e-cards. This modern twist allows for greater convenience and accessibility, enabling individuals to send heartfelt messages instantly across vast distances. Additionally, social media platforms have become popular avenues for public displays of affection, where couples can publicly declare their love through posts and comments
However, it is important to remember that the essence of Valentine's Day lies in the sentiment behind the gesture rather than the medium used. Whether it's a traditional paper card or a virtual message, what truly matters is the thought and effort put into expressing one's love.
So as we celebrate Valentine's Day with a modern twist on cards and love notes, let us not forget the age-old tradition of expressing our affection in meaningful ways. Whether it's through handwritten letters or digital messages, let us continue to celebrate love with sincerity and genuine gestures that touch the hearts of our loved ones.
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