Here are some curiosities about the most romantic day of the year!
Valentine's Day is a tradition that has become very popular over the years and it is celebrated in many parts of the world according to very different habits and rites.
In Italy, an object that seems to be used in several locations is the orange, that are used to decorate whole towns and statues in honor of the Saint who protects lovers; famous is the celebration in Quero, in the province of Bolzano, where oranges are blessed, then tossed near the church of San Valentino as an auspicious sign. Also in Vico del Gargano, in the province of Foggia, oranges are used to decorate the city and the statue of the saint, celebrated with the traditional procession. In Palmoli, Valentine's Day is celebrated by sprinkling the floor of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie with a carpet of bay leaves.
Also in Europe Valentine's Day is a tradition that has ancient origin. In England in the 18th century a very popular custom was observed: the women fixed with a pin on the pillow five bay leaves sprinkled with rose water, and before going to sleep the women would pray Valentine to be generous and allow them to see their true love in a dream. If the spell worked, the woman would have seen her future husband in a dream. In Ireland on this occasion it is recommended to wear the Claddagh Ring (ring with the heart held by two hands: depending on how it is oriented it means "single" or "in a relationship"). In Germany, the Americans introduced the anniversary after the Second World War, in fact, in 1950 the first Valentine's Day dance took place where lovers exchanged flowers, chocolates or heart-shaped gifts. In Poland many citizens go to Chelmno (also known as the city of lovers) for a romantic pilgrimage and to declare mutual love.
The rest of the world also celebrate Valentine's Day: in South Korea and Japan the residents associated the feast with the "White Day" in which the girls give the boys who are interested in some chocolate, if the boy is interested after a month he returns the gift; in South Africa it is customary to pin a note on the sleeve with the name of the boy you love.
