Valentine’s Day symbols and gods from around the world

1. Origins of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14, is widely recognized as a day of romantic love. Its origins are a mix of Roman pagan traditions, Christian martyrdom, and medieval courtly love.

St. Valentine: There are multiple saints named Valentine in early Christianity, but the one most associated with the holiday was a priest or bishop in Rome who was martyred for performing marriages for soldiers forbidden to marry.
Roman Festival of Lupercalia: Celebrated in mid-February, this fertility festival involved pairing off men and women by lottery, and later evolved into expressions of love and courtship.

2. Symbols of Valentine’s Day

2.1 Heart

Meaning: Love, affection, and emotion.
Origin: The heart symbol has been associated with love since at least the medieval period. Early depictions were stylized, often resembling the shape of a seed or leaf.
Global Notes: Universally recognized, but some cultures also use other shapes for love, such as the infinity symbol in modern Western adaptations.

2.2 Roses

Meaning: Passion (red), friendship (yellow), innocence (white).
Origin: Roses are tied to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, who is said to have created the first rose from her tears and the blood of her lover Adonis.
Global Variations: In Japan, the type and color of flowers are carefully chosen to convey specific emotions.

2.3 Cupid / Eros

Meaning: Romantic desire and playful attraction.
Origin:
- Roman mythology: Cupid, son of Venus, carries a bow and arrows that make people fall in love.
- Greek mythology: Eros, son of Aphrodite, has similar attributes.
Symbolism: Mischievous love, the unpredictability of romance. In some cultures, Cupid’s image has evolved into a cherubic, innocent figure; in others, he retains his more mischievous or even dangerous connotations.

2.4 Keys and Locks

Meaning: Commitment and devotion.
Origin: Practiced in places like Paris, couples lock padlocks onto bridges and throw the keys into the river to symbolize eternal love.
Global Notes: This ritual is particularly popular in European cities.

2.5 Doves

Meaning: Loyalty and fidelity.
Origin: Associated with Venus/Aphrodite, who was said to be accompanied by doves.
Global Notes: Doves are used in wedding ceremonies and Valentine’s Day imagery in many parts of the world.

3. Gods and Mythological Figures Associated with Love

3.1 Roman/Greek Traditions

Venus (Roman) / Aphrodite (Greek): Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Roses, doves, and the heart are her symbols.
Cupid (Roman) / Eros (Greek): God of desire and attraction, often depicted with bow and arrows.
Himeros (Greek): Lesser-known god representing uncontrollable desire, often accompanying Eros.

3.2 Norse Mythology

Freya: Goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war. Freya’s tears were said to become gold, symbolizing love’s preciousness. Her chariot was pulled by cats, and her symbols often included the falcon or boar.
Significance: Though not directly linked to Valentine’s Day, Freya represents romantic and sexual love, similar to Venus/Aphrodite.

3.3 Hindu Mythology

Kamadeva: God of love, desire, and attraction.
- Iconography: Bow made of sugarcane, flower arrows, riding a parrot.
- Legend: Kamadeva shoots arrows to awaken desire in gods and humans.
Rati: Consort of Kamadeva, goddess of passion and sensuality.
Modern Connection: In India, Valentine’s Day has merged with traditional notions of love, though Kamadeva remains a more spiritual love figure.

3.4 Chinese Traditions

Niulang and Zhinü (The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl): Legendary lovers separated by the Milky Way, allowed to meet once a year on the Qixi Festival, often called “Chinese Valentine’s Day.”
Symbols: Magpies (bridging lovers), stars, and the Milky Way.

3.5 Japanese Traditions

Valentine’s Day is heavily commercial, with women gifting chocolate to men.
God of Love: Not commonly personified; the holiday is more influenced by Western culture than indigenous mythology.

4. Modern Symbols Across the World

Symbol	Meaning	Region/Notes
Heart	Love	Global
Rose	Romance	Global, especially Western countries
Cupid	Desire	Western
Chocolates	Sweetness & affection	Global, modern
Letters / Cards	Expression of feelings	Global
Origami/Figurines	Personalized love	Japan & Asia
Red Envelopes	Good luck & affection	China (merged with Lunar New Year customs)

5. Key Observations

Love is universal, but expressions differ: Flowers, doves, and sweets dominate globally, but the type of flower, color, or ritual changes culturally.
Mythological roots are rich: Venus, Freya, Kamadeva, and Eros are all deities of love, but each emphasizes different aspects — beauty, fertility, desire, or romantic longing.
Modern commercialization: Many symbols today, like chocolates, greeting cards, and teddy bears, are relatively recent Western imports that have spread globally.
Astronomical and seasonal connections: Festivals tied to stars, springtime, or fertility (like Lupercalia or Qixi) influenced Valentine’s Day symbols indirectly.