3. Valentine's Day falls on 14 February every year. On this day, people give flowers and chocolates or send greeting cards to loved ones. Why do we celebrate such a festival? According to one legend, this festival is to remember Valentine, a priest in Rome in the third century. He defied the emperor's command that young men shouldn't marry so they can become strong soldiers. Valentine secretly performed marriages for young couples. When his actions were discovered, he was put to prison and died later.
4. Nowadays, many countries celebrate Valentine's Day. At first, people exchanged small tokens o f affection or love messages. Then greeting cards were produced for this festival. Statistics from the Greeting Card Association show that Valentine's Day cards are the second most popular holiday cards after Christmas cards. This day is a good chance to show your feelings for someone. People often send cards with "Love from a Secret Admirer" on them. An "X" after signing your name means "kiss".
5. Valentine's Day is flower shops' busiest day as well. Some people give heart-shaped candies or chocolates to loved ones. Many people, however, feel Valentine's Day is too commercial now. In Chinese culture, there is also a similar romantic festival. It is Yuan Xiao which falls on 15 January of the Lunar Calendar. On this day, young single people, especially girls, are allowed to go out and socialize in the evening. Young single women usually make wishes to the God of Destiny to find a good husband while single men wish to marry a good wife.
6. Some traditions of Valentine’s Day On this day, we usually give chocolates to those you love and respect most. ( i.e. lovers, parents or friends ) and sometimes boys will give girls some beautiful flowers and gifts to show their sincerity. Writers even wrote down some beautiful poems to praise this special day.
8. Another meaning of Valentine’s Day --- LOVE & FRIENDSHIP On this day, we usually celebrate with our closest persons. These people can be our friends, parents and lovers. Since this special Day is dedicated to TRUE LOVE. Therefore, all the LOVE which is true, pure and genuine enough should be regarded and complimented .
11. Friendship as Love and Brotherhood and Friendship as Play, Complicity and Shared Joy Friendship may indeed be a form of love and fraternity in the deepest sense of the words. There are many definitions of friendship in these very terms: A faithful friend is the medicine of life (Bible, Ecclesiastes) The union of two such friends being truly perfect, it causes them to lose the sense of such duties, and to detest and banish as between themselves those words implying separation and difference – benefit, obligation, gratitude, entreaty, thanks, and their like. (Montaigne, 1533-1592, French writer, Essays)
12. Friendship is a kind of special feeling which will make two or a few persons flock together to do the same things , to have the same mind and to act the same way. Although they are not in-born brothers or sisters, their closed relationship can sometimes deserve to sacrifice their own lives. It is in fact great and splendid !
13. LOVE FRIEND- SHIP This year, 2009, is very special and fantastic as it is our Chinese Great Day ----to celebrate the first day of our Lunar Chinese New Year while at the same time is another great date for the whole world --- the Valentine’s Day. For the next wonderful fusion, we will have to wait more than 38 years. Therefore, it is deserve for us to precious the coming of the day and so the we have chosen 5 books for you to read at that romantic and warmth period . It is rather meaningful to read the books about love and friendship and maybe you will taste another feeling. Please try to enjoy reading these story books. I believe you will find something deserve to treasure !
