{"id":814,"date":"2015-02-11T23:08:56","date_gmt":"2015-02-11T23:08:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifereader.co.nz\/articles\/?p=814"},"modified":"2015-02-11T23:12:23","modified_gmt":"2015-02-11T23:12:23","slug":"valentines-day-sweetness-abounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifereader.co.nz\/articles\/valentines-day-sweetness-abounds\/","title":{"rendered":"Valentine\u2019s Day – Sweetness Abounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sweet & The Not-So-Sweet<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valentine\u2019s Day is fast approaching! For many, this means giving extra thought and time to sweethearts. The excitement of what to give and what you\u2019re going to get from your romantic partner is mounting! For others, however, the time of year may bring emotions that are not so exciting or pleasant. This article will explore both sides \u2013 providing some ideas for what to give to that special loved one, as well as how to share some of the love with others.<\/p>\n

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There are many different theories about the origins of Valentine\u2019s Day. It appears to have started in classical mythology and was \u201chijacked\u201d by the Christian church and changed into St. Valentine\u2019s Day. In the Middle Ages, the focus shifted to romantic love and now in our contemporary society, it has been really overhauled into an event for commercial profit, which, as you will see, the author does not find completely negative.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll start with \u201cThe Sweet\u201d side \u2013 a discussion of the many and varied romantic Valentine symbols and their origins. Then a look at \u201cThe Not-So-Sweet\u201d side. Finally, a proposal to enlarge the celebration in the topic \u201cSweetness Abounds\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Sweet – Romantic Symbols & Traditions Associated with Valentine\u2019s Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valentine\u2019s Day is celebrated many places around the world in various forms. China, Finland, Estonia, France, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Scandinavia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Wales and the United States are among the areas that celebrate in some manner. While all of the symbols discussed here may not be recognized in all of these localities, they are all represented in some form in one or more countries.<\/p>\n

\u2022Colors<\/strong> \u2013 The traditional colors used to celebrate Valentine\u2019s Day are Red, White and Pink. Red symbolizes warmth and feelings and is associated with the color of the human heart. White is a symbol of purity and sometimes faith. And Pink, a combination of Red and White, is sometimes viewed as a symbol of innocence.<\/p>\n

\u2022Cupid \u2013<\/strong> Cupid is the Roman God of Love and one of the most popular symbols for Valentine\u2019s Day. Originally he was shown as a young man with a bow and arrows. But over the years, he went from a handsome man to a pudgy baby. It is said the reason for the change is that in the Victorian era, people wanted to make the occasion more \u201cproper\u201d for women and children. So they changed the handsome Roman god into a chubby baby, who transfixes the hearts of youths and maidens with the arrows he carries around in his quiver.<\/p>\n

\u2022Hearts \u2013 <\/strong>A red or pink heart with an arrow piercing through it is another of the most common symbols to symbolize Valentine\u2019s Day. The heart is a symbol both of love and vulnerability. When you send someone a Valentine, you risk being rejected and having your feelings hurt. So the piercing arrow is a symbol of the vulnerability of love. The heart and arrow may also symbolize the merging of male and female as one.<\/p>\n

\u2022Chocolate \u2013<\/strong> What is Valentine\u2019s Day without chocolates? Many believe that the chemical contained in chocolate called phenylethylamine or phenylaline is the same that is produced in our brains when one is falling in love. Some psychologists feel that chocolate is an instant \u201clove booster\u201d. Chocolate has become closely associated with romance and Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n