Valentine's Day
Read by Leaf
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St. Valentine’s Day has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of the day is Cupid（爱神丘比特）, the Roman god of love, who is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow.
Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded（斩首）, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailer’s daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailer’s daughter a farewell letter, signing it “From Your Valentine.”
Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-beloved by all, received notes to his jail cell from children and friends who missed him.
Another Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time, AD 200. He was prisoned because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Some legends say he was burned at the stake.
February 14 was also a Roman holiday, held in honor of a goddess. Young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities. The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date spread through Europe in the Middle Ages, and then to the early American colonies. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14!
In AD 496 Sain Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as “Valentine’s Day”. Although it’s not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day.
Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St. Valentine’s Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send roses, the flower of love. Most people send “valentines,” a greeting card named after the notes that St. Valentine received in jail. Valentines can be sentimental, romantic and heartfelt（真心真意的）. They can be funny and friendly. If the sender is shy, valentines can be anonymous.
Americans of all ages love to send and receive valentines. Handmade valentines created by cutting hearts out of colored paper, show that a lot of thought was put into making them personal. Valentines can be heart-shaped, or have hearts, the symbol of love, on them. In elementary schools children make valentines for their classmates and put them in a large decorated box, similar to a mailbox. On February 14, the teacher opens the box and distributes the valentines to each student. After the students read their valentines they have a small party with refreshments.
For teenagers and adults, major newspapers throughout the country have a Valentine’s Day offer. Anyone can send in a message, for a small fee of course, destined for a would-be sweetheart, a good friend, an acquaintance or even a spouse of fifty years. The message is printed in a special section of the newspaper on February 14
Valentine’s Day 情人节
Date 约会
Bunch 花束
Rose 玫瑰
Candy 糖果
Chocolate 巧克力
Forget-Me-Not 勿忘我
Puppy Love/First Love 初恋
Cute Meet 浪漫的邂逅
Fall In Love 坠入爱河
Love At The First Sight 一见钟情
Propose 求婚
Valentine Cards 情人节卡片
Candlelight Dinner 烛光晚餐
Heart-Shaped/Cordate 心形的
Truelove 真爱
Enamored 倾心的
Saint Valentine’s Day 情人节
The Chemical Feeling 奇妙的感觉，触电
Sweet Bitterness 甜蜜的痛苦
A Doomed Couple 天生一对
A Happy Ending 大团圆结局
Sweetheart 甜心
Lover 爱人
Cupid 爱神丘比特
Admirer 仰慕者
Romance 浪漫
Heartthrob 激情
Courtship 求爱
Infatuation 醉心
Promise/Pledge/Vow 誓言
Fidelity 忠心
Eternal/Immortal/Everlasting 永恒
