A Florist’s Guide to the History of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th each year, is one of the most popular occasions for florists around the world. While today it is synonymous with the exchange of love notes, chocolates, and roses, the origins of Valentine’s Day and its association with flowers have deep and fascinating roots. This Petal & Poem Singapore Florist guide will explore the history of Valentine’s Day, how it evolved into the celebration of love we know today, and the integral role flowers—especially roses—have played in its rich history.
The Origins of Valentine’s Day: A Blend of Pagan and Christian Traditions
Valentine’s Day has its roots in ancient Roman and Christian traditions, and it has undergone centuries of transformation to become the holiday we recognize today. It began as a pagan festival known as Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February in honor of the Roman god of fertility, Faunus. Lupercalia involved sacrifices, feasting, and rituals meant to encourage fertility and ward off evil spirits.
In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I sought to replace Lupercalia with a Christian celebration and established St. Valentine’s Day on February 14th. The day was named after Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who was executed for defying the Roman emperor's orders and secretly marrying young couples, a gesture meant to show love and defiance against injustice. While the exact identity of Saint Valentine is unclear, by the Middle Ages, February 14th had become a day dedicated to romantic love.
The Emergence of Romantic Love and the Role of Flowers
The association between romantic love and Valentine’s Day took off in the Middle Ages, especially in England and France, with the growing popularity of courtly love. The poet Geoffrey Chaucer is often credited with helping to popularize the connection between romantic love and Valentine’s Day with his poem Parliament of Fowls (1382), which describes birds choosing their mates on St. Valentine’s Day. This idea of love birds and courtship, along with other literary works, set the stage for the celebration of romance during this time of year.
As the holiday gained momentum, the practice of exchanging love letters and tokens of affection blossomed. Flowers, which were already significant in various cultures for their symbolic meanings, began to play an important role in these exchanges. The custom of sending flowers on Valentine’s Day became widely practiced, with flowers chosen for their romantic symbolism.
The Language of Flowers: The Victorian Era
One of the most interesting aspects of the relationship between Valentine’s Day and flowers is the Victorian "language of flowers" (floriography), a symbolic way of communicating emotions without words. In the 19th century, especially during Queen Victoria’s reign, flowers became a highly symbolic part of courtship rituals. Each flower had a specific meaning, and sending a bouquet could convey a wide range of messages, from passionate love to a simple token of admiration. This practice transformed flowers into an essential part of Valentine’s Day traditions.
Some popular flowers and their meanings in the Victorian era included:
Roses: Love, passion, and romance (especially red roses)
Lilies: Purity and beauty
Violets: Modesty and faithfulness
Tulips: Perfect love
Daisies: Innocence and purity
Forget-me-nots: True love and remembrance
Carnations: Fascination or a deep love (red carnations for admiration and white carnations for a love that cannot be)
In addition to sending individual flowers, florists of the Victorian era would often craft intricate bouquets and nosegays (small posies) that combined different flowers, each with its own meaning, creating a powerful message of love and affection. This practice continued to influence Valentine’s Day traditions into the 20th century.
The Rise of the Valentine’s Day Card
Valentine’s Day cards, which are still a common tradition today, gained popularity during the early 19th century with the advent of mass-produced cards. Before the invention of affordable printing, people would make homemade Valentine’s Day cards, often decorated with flowers, lace, and ribbons. The first commercial Valentine’s Day cards were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland, an American artist who became known as the "Mother of the Valentine." Her cards featured intricate lace and floral motifs, laying the groundwork for the commercial holiday we celebrate today.
As printing techniques advanced, cards with illustrations of flowers became more and more popular, with roses and other floral motifs often appearing as symbols of love. These cards were sometimes paired with actual flowers, or given alongside a bouquet, creating a lasting tradition of flower-giving on Valentine’s Day.
The Role of Roses: The Queen of Flowers
While many flowers are traditionally given on Valentine’s Day, roses have become synonymous with this day of love. The red rose, in particular, stands as the quintessential symbol of romantic passion and desire. The association between roses and love dates back to ancient times, where the Greek goddess Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans) was said to have been born from the sea foam near a bed of roses, making the flower a symbol of love, beauty, and fertility.
In the context of Valentine's Day, the red rose became popular during the Victorian era due to its association with passionate love. Over time, the red rose became the go-to flower for Valentine's Day bouquets, embodying the deep emotions tied to romantic love. Additionally, the dozen roses, symbolizing perfection and completeness, became a standard offering for lovers.
Other colored roses also convey specific messages. For example:
White roses symbolize purity, innocence, and new beginnings, often given in the early stages of a relationship.
Yellow roses represent friendship and joy, making them an appropriate choice for platonic relationships.
Pink roses convey gratitude, admiration, and appreciation, perfect for expressing affection without overwhelming romantic feelings.
Today, roses continue to dominate the floral industry on Valentine’s Day, with florists offering everything from classic red roses to more exotic varieties for those seeking something unique.
The Commercialization of Valentine’s Day
As Valentine's Day became increasingly commercialized in the 20th century, the tradition of giving flowers—especially roses—became more widespread. Florists saw a significant rise in demand for bouquets and arrangements leading up to February 14th. The growing commercialization of Valentine's Day also saw the rise of floral delivery services, allowing people to send flowers to loved ones across long distances, making it easier than ever to show affection through flowers.
In addition to roses, other popular flowers like lilies, tulips, daisies, and orchids became common offerings. Many florists also began to incorporate chocolates, stuffed animals, and personalized notes alongside floral arrangements to cater to the increasing demand for diverse gifts on Valentine’s Day.
Modern-Day Valentine’s Day and Floral Trends
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated across the globe, with flowers remaining one of the most beloved and enduring gifts. Modern florists continue to embrace both traditional and contemporary floral trends, offering customized bouquets that can reflect not only love and romance but also unique preferences and personality.
While roses still dominate, flowers such as peonies, orchids, carnations, and sunflowers have gained popularity as Valentine’s Day gifts, allowing individuals to express a wider range of emotions beyond romantic love, such as appreciation, friendship, and admiration.
Florists have also seen a rise in eco-conscious bouquets, where locally-sourced, sustainable flowers are favored, and arrangements incorporate non-traditional elements like succulents and dried flowers. These trends reflect a growing desire for more personalized, sustainable, and meaningful expressions of affection on Valentine’s Day.
The Enduring Power of Flowers on Valentine’s Day
From ancient Roman festivals to the Victorian language of flowers and modern-day commercialized celebrations, flowers have remained a central symbol of love on Valentine’s Day. As florists, understanding the rich history and symbolism behind the flowers we offer can deepen our appreciation for the role we play in people’s expressions of affection. Whether it's the timeless elegance of a dozen red roses or a personalized bouquet with unique meanings, flowers continue to be the perfect way to convey the depth of emotion that accompanies this special day.
By embracing the history and significance of flowers on Valentine's Day, florists can help customers craft thoughtful, beautiful expressions of love that honor centuries of tradition while continuing to evolve with contemporary tastes.
