Valentine’s Day symbols
Special occasions and major holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving Day or St. Patrick’s Day are usually associated with a number of distinctive items. Valentine’s Day is no exception in this respect and it also comes with a set of its own characteristic symbols. Every February shops are filled with objects that have traditionally been associated with love and affection. They are often used to represent love in everyday life, as Valentine’s Day is by no means the only opportunity to show your warm feelings towards people that are close to you.
The most common symbol of love that has been used for many centuries is the heart. In the past it was believed that the heart was the source of all human feelings and emotions, with love as one of the most powerful emotions at the forefront. Today the figurative language is still full of references to the heart as the place where love originates. Hearts play an important role on Valentine’s Day and they are often used as patterns for Valentine’s Day cards.
Roses are also a potent symbol of love. They come in different colours and each of them may symbolize something else. Red roses are chosen most often as tokens of love and they often symbolize passion and desire. White roses are also among the most preferred ones as they may represent true and pure love.
Another popular symbol of Valentine’s Day is the figure of a little winged boy called Cupid. He is always equipped with a bow and an arrow and if he strikes somebody, they immediately fall in love. The figure of Cupid is taken directly from the Roman mythology and it symbolizes love and desire.
The closeness between two lovers is sometimes also represented with an image of two doves. Such a motif is often used on cards designed for Valentine’s Day and wedding ceremonies. The birds traditionally signify pure love, loyalty and intimacy between two lovers. The connection between these birds and what they represent is especially suitable. It is so because doves belong to a very rare group of animals which choose their partners and stay with them for life.