Valentine's Day

Poisintão...Assim que é!

De repente, olho no calendário e vejo que é 14/02, Valentine's Day...ou, dia dos namorados, nos EUA.

Rapidamente, a origem do feriado é devida à Lupercalia, uma festa romana que se realizava todo dia 14/02.
A festa homenageava Juno, deusa romana das mulheres e do casamento e Pã, deus da Natureza...

Acontece que, diferentemente do costume brasileiro do Dia dos Namorados (12 de junho), no Valentine's Day celebra-se também a amizade, sendo então que entre pessoas do mesmo sexo, sem conotação romântica, haja troca de cartões e presentes. É portanto também, Dia do Amigo.

Mas como a ocasião é sobre Namorados, leiam abaixo alguns dos costumes nesse dia.
Lembrem-se de destacar novos vocabulários e incrementar seu dia-a-dia.



Below, what Americans do on this holiday! Enjoy it!

Valentine's Day in United States

Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. It is a festival of romantic love and many people give cards, letters, flowers or presents to their spouse or partner. They may also arrange a romantic meal in a restaurant or night in a hotel. Common symbols of Valentine's Day are hearts, red roses and Cupid.

What do people do?

Many people celebrate their love for their partner by sending cards or letters, giving gifts or flowers and arranging meals in restaurants or romantic nights in hotels. People who would like to have a romantic relationship with somebody may use the occasion to make this known, often anonymously. Valentine's cards are often decorated with images of hearts, red roses or Cupid. Common Valentine's Day gifts are flowers chocolates, candy, lingerie and champagne or sparkling wine. However, some people use the occasion to present lavish gifts, such as jewelry. Many restaurants and hotels have special offers at this time. These can include romantic meals or weekend breaks.

Public life

Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. Government offices, stores, schools and other organizations are open as usual. Public transit systems run on their regular schedule. Restaurants may be busier than usual as many people go out for an evening with their spouse or partner. Valentine's Day is also a very popular date for weddings.

Background

There are a number of Saints called Valentine who are honored on February 14. The day became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages in England. This may have followed on from the Pagan fertility festivals that were held all over Europe as the winter came to an end. Traditionally, lovers exchanged hand written notes. Commercial cards became available in the mid nineteenth century.

Symbols

The most common Valentine's Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people. People who have fallen in love are sometimes said to be 'struck by Cupid's arrow. Other symbols of Valentine's Day are couples in loving embraces and the gifts of flowers, chocolate, red roses and lingerie that couples often give each other.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/valentine-day

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Translation/Tradução: Heinz Claudius (when applicable)

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