United Kingdom does not lay much importance on Valentine celebrations. Valentine's Day in United Kingdom is celebrated in an austere manner and that too, in some of the few places in the country. The celebrations are very sparse and there is no evidence to suggest that even in the olden times, Valentine celebrations were jubilant. The specimen Valentine verses from the old English times suggest that Valentine festival has a pagan origin and the Church tried to assimilate it into Christianity or Christian festivals.
Valentine's Day in United Kingdom was taken seriously by the ladies.
>Young gentlemen were more or less immune to the festive spirit of Valentine, but were definitely not adverse to love. In parts of Sussex, Valentine's Day was called "the Birds' Wedding Day". Today the sending of Valentine flowers, Valentine cards and Valentine chocolates is common and adds to the revenue of various companies.
Valentine's Day in United Kingdom has some interesting traditions and beliefs. For example, some are mentioned below.
- the first man an unmarried woman saw on 14th February would be her future husband
- if the names of all a girl's suitors were written on paper and wrapped in clay and the clay put into water, the piece that rose to the surface first would contain the name of her husband-to-be.
- if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a rich person.
For more such interesting information, visit My Dear Valentine.
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