Valentines Day

[Nané]

Some odd facts about Valentines Day:

 

Over 80 million roses are sold worldwide on Valentine's Day.

 

Valentines Day was declared an official holiday in 1537 by King Henry VIII.

 

Hallmark has over 1,300 different Valentine's Day cards.

 

The first Valentine's Day card was sent by the imprisoned Duke of Orlean to his wife in 1415

 

The city of Verona in Italy, setting of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', receives over 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every year.

 

Approximately 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold in the US every year and the US also holds the record for the biggest heart-shaped chocolate box which was 15ft tall, 15ft wide and weighed over 1,300lbs.

 

15% of women in the US send themselves flowers on Valentines.

 

Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards every year. Sweethearts receive the least.

 

Over 1 billion dollars is spent on chocolate for Valentine's Day in the US every year.

 

The Roman feast of Lupercalia was held on February 14th in honour of Juno, the Goddess of women and marriage.

 

It's a custom in Wales to send an intricately carved wooden spoon to one's love on Valentines.

 

3% of pet owners in the US send their pets a Valentine's card.

 

In the middle ages, people would pin the name of their sweetheart to their sleeve on Valentine's Day and keep it there for a week, hence 'wearing their heart on their sleeve'.

 

According to superstition, if the first bird you see on Valentine's Day is a Robin, you'll marry a sailor. If it's a Sparrow, you'll marry a poor man and if it's a Goldfinch, you'll marry a wealthy man.

 

In China, Valentine's Day is celebrated on the 7th day or the 7th month of the Chinese calendar.

 

The origin of the letter 'X' symbolising kisses comes from the Middle Ages when people who couldn't write would sign documents with an X and then kiss it for sincerity.

 

Over 930 million dollars is spent on Valentine's cards in the US every year.

 

Approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are sent every year.

 

In medieval times, they believed that birds and bees chose their mates on Valentine's Day and talk of 'the birds and the bees' continues today.

 

February 14 is the second most celebrated day in the United States, Christmas comes in first.

 

Parents receive one out of every five valentines.

 

85% of all valentines are purchased by women. Men buy most of the millions of boxes of candy and bouquets of flowers given on Valentine's Day.

Edited February 13, 2005 by Sulamita

[Nané]

A Short History of St Valentine's Day

 

St Valentine's Day is one of a few global celebrations whose origin has long since been lost in the myth and mist of time. On the face of it, it would appear to be a fairly new celebration, given the Christian naming, however its origin stretches further into the past.

 

The 14th February started out as a festival rather more given over to sexual pleasures than romantic outpourings. The Romans celebrated this day as the festival of Lupercalia, a celebration of Juno, the Goddess of love. On the day cards would be drawn randomly to partner men and women together for the feast and the sexual games which were an integral part of it. This is most likely the origin of the Valentine's Card - although they don't tend to be given with such hedonistic ideas in mind these days.

 

When Christianity started to become popular throughout Europe, the devout set about systematically changing all the pagan festival days the Romans had so enjoyed, and replacing them with rather more austere Christian versions.

 

Naturally, the early church had a rather dim view of people spending the 14th of February indulging in unbridled sexual congress with total strangers, and then stuffing themselves with food and wine, so the devout cast around for a worthy saint to replace poor old Juno.

 

Enter Saint Valentine aka Valentinus. Rather conveniently, Valentinus had been martyred on 14th February. Unfortunately, Valentinus was known as an extremely chaste and pious man and not even vaguely schooled in the art of love. The church, however, was never one to let facts get in the way of a good ritual so set about inventing a history for Valentinus which would be more in line with their new 'festival of romance'.

 

So, from being the sort of chap who you'd avoid at all costs at a party, Valentinus was transformed into a romantic worthy of a Byron poem. A myth arose that Valentinus ignored a decree from Emperor Claudius II that there should be no marriage ceremonies and secretly wedding couples until he was caught, imprisoned and sentenced to death. To add even more romance around the history of Valentinus, a story sprang up that, whilst in jail, he cured the jailer's daughter of blindness and soon fell madly in love with each other. Then, on the day of his execution, he sent her a card expressing his love and signing off with "From your Valentine".

 

As is usually the case, however, pagan rituals survived despite the church's greatest efforts. Although cards were no longer drawn for random pairings, people continued to send messages on St Valentine's Day to those they wanted to reveal affection for.

 

The first proper Valentine's Card, decorated and containing poetry, is attributed to the imprisoned Charles, Duke of Orleans in 1415. He eased the pain of imprisonment by writing love verses to his wife. By the end of the 18th Century, manufactured Valentine's cards started to appear and became the most popular way to declare love. These early cards were exquisite; usually hand-painted and often decorated with real gold leaf, satins, silks and exotic feathers.

 

Today, commercialism has, many would say, ripped the heart out of Valentines. Cards are now pretty perfunctory and retailers push the idea of chocolates and roses as being the most appreciated symbol of love. However, for some the 14th February remains the one day of the year given over to romance and the purest of emotions.

[Nané]

6 Of The Best: Valentines Day Facts

 

It’s a day either for camping out by your letterbox or spending the day pretending you’re far too busy and important to be worrying about such things as chocolates and flowers. But how did this festival for lovers first come into being?

 

Back In Time

 

There are two historical reasons why a day in the middle of February was chosen as a festival for lovers. The earliest reference to such a celebration was the Roman Feast of Lupercia. During the festival the names of boys and girls would be put into an urn in each village. Those whose names were drawn together on the feast day would then pair off for the duration of the festival. The more specific date of Febuary 14th as a lovers’ day was settled on in mediaeval times because it was believed on that date that birds began their mating.

 

Will the real Valentine stand up?

 

There are up to three possible St Valentines to choose from, but most sources place the inspiration for the day on a Roman priest. When Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men, believing that they made better soldiers when single, Valentine continued to marry couples in secret. He was eventually discovered and executed – although not before falling in love with the jailer’s daughter and sending her the first Valentine card pledging his love.

 

Letters Of Love

 

A more recent historical figure is credited with sending the first Valentine card. Charles Duke of Orleans sent love letters to his wife from his prison cell in the Tower of London during his time there in the early 15th century. It wasn’t until the mid-18th century that Valentine cards became more popular. Later still in Victorian times people would decorate their cards with bows and ribbons.

 

Britain’s Mrs Valentine

 

Every year Ann Noble who runs the Post Office at Lover, Wiltshire gets over 2000 cards from people wanting the Lover postmark on their Valentine’s Day Cards. To go the extra distance for your loved one, you can send your card to:

 

Ann Noble

Lover Post Office

Brown Bonnet

Besomer Drove

Lover

Salisbury SP5 2PN

 

Custom and Tradition

 

There are various customs and traditions associated with finding the name of your husband-to-be on Valentine's Day. Those of you searching for the love of your life could try running around your local church twelve times at midnight on St Valentine’s Eve hoping to see an apparition of your lover (although it's more likely you'll attract the attentions of your local bobby). Alternatively, and more safely, another tradition holds that the first man’s name you read that day will be the name of your future spouse.

 

The Language Of Flowers

 

If you’re thinking of sending your loved one flowers this Valentine’s Day, you may find it helpful to brush up on the language of flowers.

 

Red Rose – Passionate Love

Camellia – You Are Perfect In Every Way

Red Carnation – My Heart Aches For You

Daffodils – You’re The Only One For Me

Blue Hyacinths – Our Love Is Constant

Sunflower – I Adore You

Red Tulip – You’re a Perfect Lover

And one to avoid…

Yellow Carnations – You Disappoint Me

[Nané]

Here's a list of what NOT to give her for Valentines Day:

 

1. A box of chocolates, clumsily rearranged in an attempt to hide the fact you ate all the carmel ones.

2. Lingerie that you think will look almost as good on her as on the Victoria's Secret model.

3. Any clothing item with the words "push-up" or "slim-down" on the label.

4. Any food item with the words "diet", "light", or "high fiber" on the label.

5. Any video starring Sylvester Stallone, Jim Carrey, or Jenna Jameson.

6. Flowers from a hospital's gift shop--or worse, a mortuary's.

7. Poetry, no matter how heartfelt, that starts out "There was once a girl from Nantucket..."

8. Anything you ever gave another woman, including your mother.

9. Any household appliance, power tool or other item from the harder side of Sears.

10. A gift certificate.

11. Cash.

12. Anything you could have bought at the gas station mini-mart on the way over, even if you didn't.

13. An apologetic look and the words "That was today?"

[Arpa]

SIRERG

A Love Story

Beauty and the Beast (Shreck part III)

Torq ev Haikanush as told by Ghazaros Aghayan.

 

Note: Torq, a giant with a face of mud had a heart of gold. He was never meant to be as "ugly", only if with exaggerated features. It is only a semantic accident and through poetic license that a legend as such is woven, much like Toumanian's take on Akh Tamar. It is only through a linguistic coincidence that that "gentle giant" is described as "ugly". Torq was from the house/village of Ang@gh, and only through a poetic license and a pervasive tendency of ours that the Village Ang@gh has been intrepreted to mean "angegh/ugly". So be it! If Torq had exaggerated features and an ugly face (by whose standards?)he still had a beautiful heart of gold

 

Shat darer araj hin hayastanum

Torq-Angegh anvamb mi mard er kenum.

Toq@ cher nman hasarak mardu,

Ayl mi azhtaha, ev shat aharku,

Achqer@ kases mi-mi kabuyt tsov,

Jajanchavorvats arevi lusov,

Sev-sev unqer@ mut ampi nman

Bard-bard kutakvats achqeri vran

Qit@ korntart, ibrev mi blur,

Atamnern urag, eghunqner@ tur.

Kurtsq@ kasenas mi lanj er leran,

Mejq@ sarazhayr, krner@ geran,

Mi khosqov, mi dev voch te hska,

Voch voq tesats cher aynpes azhtaha.

Tgegh er demq@ ev aynqan dazhan,

Or zarhurum er, ov nayer vran.

Ahreli er na aynqan uzhegh

Or hisun gomesh chuneyin mektegh.

 

Here is Haikanush.

 

"Ayd inch aghchik e, inch nra anun?

Nra anunne Haikanush-Sirun"

Inq@ mi chqnagh ev chnashkharik,

Voch voq tsnvats che aynqan geghetisk,

Na annman e, chapazants sirun,

Der chi lratsrel tasnevut garun

 

And now the union.

 

Sirum er Torq@, sirum er ankeghts,

Sirum er sirov anbits, antkheghts,

Ev koptataraz ir demq@ mtin

Darel er siro tsolatsogh lusin.

Ayn kerparanq@ ev hayatsqn ahegh,

Or qaratsnum er mardkants teghn-u-tegh

Ayzhm darel e mi vjit aghbyur,

Orits bkhum e ser hezahambyur

Inch qaghtsr zhpit, inch qnqush sharzhvatsq,

Erb e unetsel anjorni kazmvatsq..

 

Torq and Haikanush join in surb psak

That is how are born Sip and Aazatak.

They may have faces a mother may love

To us their face is geghetsik, shat lav.

 

Chi mornanq Movses and that Garo too

Their faces may be limoni ttu.

No! Movses, as sweet as Dziran,

Garo'n e havet jakhrum boloris vran.

Edited February 13, 2005 by Arpa

[MosJan]

Garo jan can we install a breath aliser on our forum ???

 

It will be nice

 

We will provide an effective, ethical, and user-friendly program to assist in the reduction of alcohol-impaired posting. By offering an economical solution to the problem of accidental death and injury caused by impaired posting, we hope to contribute to Information highway safety.

 

 

OK it's only a joke - Garo has way to much work on hand to instal the breath aliser soon...

[lara-chan]

damn, i wish i sent my bird a valentine..

[Ani]

Happy Valentine's Day People !!!

[MosJan]

http://www.armtown.com/img/photo/a1p_en_57516.jpg

 

 

NEWLY-WEDS WILL BE BLESSED

 

 

Every year on February 14, 40 days after the Christmas, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Presentation of the Lord to the Temple – Tearnendarach, which means goring “towards the Lord.”

 

The ceremony starts on the evening of 13 February. Fields and orchards are blessed during an evening liturgy. After the liturgy people light candles form the candle lit in the Church to set fire in their yards. The Feast of Tearnendarach is an invitation for everyone to move towards the Lord.

 

Under the auspices of the Catholicos of All Armenians Tearnendarach has been announced the day of blessing the newly-weds.

[MosJan]

ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC HOLIDAY

 

*

 

On 14 February, every year Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Tiarndaradj holiday after 40 days of Jesus was born. It means to meet Jesus. According to Ararat Patriarchal Eparchy the celebration of the holiday starts from the evening of 13 February after divine service. After the ceremony people light their candles in church and take the light to their homes. According to the public tradition, people make the fire from the candle light brought from church. According to Bible, this holiday expresses the divine love towards God. Note that Armenian Supreme Patriarch Garegin II announced the holiday as the blessing day of all new married.

[Gevo18]

Interesting Facts there, thanks for sharing them

[Aratta-Kingdom]

HyeForumum voske axchikneri mi xumb ka ovqer irenc kanaciutyamb u xohemutyamb chapanish en dnum unrishnerin hetevelu hama. Dzer nerkayutyun@ ays forumum yev hajeli e yev anhrajeshtutyun.

Valentinesi aritov dzez bolorit cankanum em liatoq dzidzagh, ankeghts ser, u anushabuyr dzagiknerov li mi ambogh ashxarh.

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day Dear Ladies

 

 

 

 

 

http://riny.org/images/flowerfield.jpg

[Ashot]

Tchishn asats Arattan arten bavakanin asets, bayts inchqanel uzuma asi, eli shat qicha dzez hamar, sireli mer HyeForumi Axchikner, iskapes liarzheqek duq ays amenin, yete voch avelin, I srtants dzez tsankanumem bariutsyun, hajoghutsyun, yev lav martkatsov shrjapati liutsyun!!!

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/fantasyautosales/nozxop.gif

[Anoushik]

[Anoushik]

De hima areq u aseq vor mer hay tghamardik romantic chen!

[Em]

Happy V-Day to all!

 

To especially those that are unattached: Don't fall for the hype. Today is for Hallmark and flower vendors benefit... who says you need someone to treat you to anything? You can treat yourself...I suggest a relaxing afternoon at spa. Then you wont even remember you spent today alone!

 

And for all those who did not get flowers today---you just did...just virtually!

pics.bmp

Edited February 15, 2008 by Em124

[Takoush]

I know you people on this forum usually don't celebrate Valentine's day; but what the heck I still want to send you all my love to all of you!!

Especially to our young members who are unattached.

 

Valentine's day is not just for lovers or married people; but it is a Saint's day to show love and gratitude also to brotherly love and sisterly love! parent's love and children's love!

 

I would like to show my love to all of you people for now and always!

[Zara]

Happy Valintine's Day everyone.

 

I made one of these out of a ten dollar bill.

 

 

P.S. If anyone wants to learn how to make these I can show you guys.

[Ani]

Happy Valentine’s Day People!!! Celebrate the strongest of all feelings…