Paul Messam, contributor
TRADITIONALLY ON Valentine's Day, lovers exchange affectionate messages and gifts.
A valentine is a sentiment or humorous pictorial greeting sent on February 14. From information published on the subject, Saint Valentine was an obscure, possibly legendary martyr who, according to legend, was put to death by the Romans, round about the year 269.
The date of his death coincided with that of the Roman festivity of Lupercalia, when young men chose by lot young women they would court during the following year. The celebrations of the two occasions merged and the Lupercalia method of choosing sweethearts was adopted in England and elsewhere. The girl whose name was drawn often was given a present.
Early Roman men
In fact, the early Roman men often wore the names of the girls who were to be their partners during the Lupercalia, pinned to their sleeves. Even today we say that a man wears his heart upon his sleeves when he shows his interest in a young lady. Lupercalia became a Saint's Day honouring St. Valentine. It remained an important time for anyone looking for a mate.
In the 17th century, a hopeful maiden ate her boiled egg and pinned 5 bay leaves to her pillow before going to sleep on Valentine's evening.
What do Jamaican men think about Valentine's Day? Outlook sought answers.
"It's a time for loving," says Kingsley Henry Oliver James, manager. "It's a day to celebrate with the ones you love," James adds.
Craig Brown is of the view that it use to mean chocolates and the 'lovey-dovey stuffs'. "However, it's that time which one can spend with the special person in his life," he adds.
A day to show love
"It is a day to show love in a special way to your wife, spouse or good friends," said Vincent Walker, caretaker. "This is a day which people cherish because the focus is on red and white, and being loving, caring and sharing."
Colin Thomas, assistant pastor of the Jubilee Church of God says, "It's a time when women expect the men to make them feel good, taking them out to special places. And also a time for the merchants to make 'nuff' dollars.
"I am of the view that we need to put a lot more into Valentine's Day," says Robert Stephens, managing director of Port Royal Development Company.
However, Clifton Brown, managing director, explained that like most other celebrations, Valentine's Day has become a commercial enterprise and has lost its true meaning.
"I do not usually remember about Valentine's Day until I hear somebody talking about it and you may see the ladies all dressed up in red and white," said Dwight McBean, businessman.
Patrick Larmond, educator, said that he is not fully unaware of its true meaning. "I heard that St. Valentine was a homosexual and so that may have turned my feelings off from such a celebration," Larmond, adds. He says that he has never said 'Happy Valentine's Day', to his wife. "She is not fussy about cards but a date out for dinner and her eyes and taste buds immediately light up."
