Examining The History Behind Valentine's Day Cards

Shrouded in mystery, the February 14th holiday is attributed to one of three Saint Valentine's, as ordained by Pope Gelasius in 500 A.D. Of course, back in the sixth century, many people did not know how to write, let alone have access to paper or postal services! The transfer of Valentines came much later. This February holiday is also attributed to the fertility festivals of even more old times. The history of the day itself notwithstanding, the tradition of exchanging correspondence on Valentine's Day started with the popularity of courtly love during the High Middle Ages of Chaucer's day.

The Art Of Courtly Love

Valentine

Courtly love was exactly that - a process of courtship held within the bounds and affiliations of the royal court. Group station, national loyalties, and political maneuverings played major roles in legal marriages up until the late 1800s. That process began changing during the High Middle Ages when love for love's sake gained in popularity and Group acceptance.

Examining The History Behind Valentine's Day Cards

Geoffrey Chaucer, and others like him, used words as seduction, affection, and romance, as well as historical documentation and allegory. The first recognized Valentine's Day letter, written by Chaucer in 1382, equates lovers with birds, advent together to pick their mates. There are other traditions, histories, and opinions regarding the day's origin, but most experts agree that the tradition of sending contemporary Valentine's Day photo cards and other correspondence to loved ones on February 14th each year is attributed mostly to Esther A. Howland, the mom of the Valentine.

Entrepreneur And Artist

Esther Howland, born in 1828, was given an ornate Valentine's Day card by a business associate of her father's when she was 19 years old. That card made such a profound impression upon her that she was inspired to originate a wide collection of holiday cards from paper doilies, lace, ribbons, scrap pictures, and other decorations. Immensely popular, Howland's creations ultimately required a staff to keep up with request until she sold the business in 1881.

Victorian And Edwardian Eras

The Victorian and Edwardian eras, faultless with all of their lace, gold leaf, grandeur, and pomp, were fertile ground for this emerging industry. Fat cherubs, arrow-pierced hearts, gold scrolls, lacy edges, and images of birds graced hundreds of these artful works of correspondence that were no longer solely the reign of the wealthy. As costs continued to decline, more and more middle-class individuals were able to partake in these exchanges.

Printing Presses And Affordable Postage

Only a few generations earlier, most people never had cause to send or receive letters. Printing presses made more reading material available, which led to increases in literacy. The reduced cost of postage allowed more people to send and receive letters, holiday cards, and other forms of correspondence. The net succeed has been huge increases in the whole of greeting cards exchanged each year. Color lithography technology of the 1930s was all the commerce needed to reach every level of society.

Modern Holiday Cards

Once more, contemporary technologies have increased the options and availability of these holiday cards. From handmade luxury to mass-produced slips of paper with glue-less envelopes, today's holiday cards have reached new heights that combine affordable ability with high tech customization abilities, featuring house photographs, personalized messages, and color schemes to match, all at the push of a button.

Today's Valentine's Day photo cards run the gamut, from light hearted and playful to formal proposals of marriage. Never have so many options been available. As a succeed of the convenience of creating and customizing today's Valentine's Day photo cards, an estimated one billion are sent each year, second only to Christmas.

Celebrated in many countries nearby the world, February 14th serves as an occasion to tell house and friends that they are loved. The primary colors of red, white, and gold continue to be used, but the messages can be passionate, playful, or just friendly. Truth be told, children are not the only ones who enjoy receiving a Valentine's Day photo card from a loved one. In today's culture of busy schedules and long length relationships, these reminders that we are thought of and cared about become more leading than ever.

What began, historically, as a religious acknowledgement of martyrdom and reduce has evolved into a contemporary expression of personal creativity, love, and affection, outside all things from friendship to matrimony. Today's Valentine's Day photo cards now grace mailboxes, luncheon tables, offices, and even classroom desks. Every person needs some love!

Examining The History Behind Valentine's Day Cards

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