Interesting Facts about Valentine's Day

Long before St. Valentine lived, February 14th had strong links with fertility. The date traditionally is known for when birds choose their mates.

Roman festival of Lupercalia used to be celebrated on February 15th where young men held a lottery to conclude which girl would be theirs.

In Medieval times, girls ate bizarre foods on St Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future spouse.

In the Middle Ages, there was a belief that the first unmarried person of the opposite sex you met on the morning of St. Valentine's Day would become your spouse.

The first Valentine gift was sent by Duke of Orleans to his wife, after he was captured in 1415.

73% of Valentine Day flowers are bought by men, whereas women buy only 27% of Valentine flowers.

Around 3% of pet owners prefer to give Valentine gifts to their pets, as they are more grateful than humans!

No one really knows who St Valentine actually was. There are two men who could be responsible for the traditional association with love and marriage, but the most likely theory is that Valentine was a priest during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II.

The story goes that Emperor Claudius had issued a decree that Roman soldiers were not allowed to marry, because marriage would inhibit their ability to fight.

But romantic Valentine continued to marry soldiers in secret, until eventually his clandestine activities were discovered and he was jailed. Before being beheaded he fell in love with his jailer's daughter, for whom he left a note signed 'Your Valentine' before he was led away to his death.