Learn some fun Valentine’s Day trivia!
Valentine’s Day Trivia
Valentine’s Day is coming soon! Are you ready for the holiday of love?
Whether or not you’re celebrating this year, here are some fun trivia facts about Valentine’s Day:
- In the Middle Ages, young men and women would draw names from a bowl to see who their ‘Valentine’ would be. They would wear the names they chose on their sleeves for a week, which is where we get the phrase, “to wear your heart on your sleeve”.
- Europeans during the Middle Ages believed that birds chose their soul mates on February 14th.
- St. Valentine, the man for whom the holiday is named, died on February 14th. There are several stories about him, but none have been verified. He and his cause are a mystery, but he is considered the patron saint of lovers since one account says he married people in secret when the law said they could not be married because they were Christians.
- Valentine’s Day became ‘official’ when Pope Gelasius made February 14th Saint Valentine’s Day in 498 A.D.
- Around 36 million boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day gifts.
- Around a billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year to lovers, family, and friends, making it second only to Christmas when the most cards are exchanged.
- Cupid was a Roman god who was depicted as a small winged child. His name comes from the Latin word cupido, meaning desire.
- In Greek mythology, Cupid was known as Eros, god of love.
- If you don’t like Valentine’s Day (too much lovey dovey stuff?), then you can celebrate Anti-Valentine’s Day! You can do things like sell your ex’s things online, buy feeder bugs for local zoo animals and name them after your ex, or even attend an anti-Valentine’s Day dinner.
Tell Me: Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? What are your plans?
I did my homework. Check out the sources below for more fun trivia and Valentine’s Day facts!
Veronica Lee says
Such fun and interesting facts! I didn’t know that Europeans during the Middle Ages believed that birds chose their soul mates on Valentine’s Day!
Marissa McKenna says
Interesting, right? As I read more about it, there were different ideas about which birds to look out for and what they meant, but I didn’t want to get too deep into it. 🙂
Shannon says
What interesting facts. I am probably making a nice dinner at the house for my husband and I.
Marissa McKenna says
Have a nice time! We’re probably going to be doing the same this year. 🙂
CAT says
Oh dear. Since Valentine’s Day has so many pagan origins, as a Christian I intend to stay way clear of it all together! Thanks for your research.
Marissa McKenna says
I understand. Thanks for reading anyway!