A holiday honoring lovers.
It is celebrated February 14
by the custom of sending greeting
cards or gifts to express affection.
The cards known as valentines, are often
designed with hearts to symbolize love.
The holiday probably derives from the ancient
Roman feast of Lupercalis (February 15). The
festival gradually became associated with
the feast day (February 14) of two Roman
martyrs, both named St. Valentine, who
lived in the 3rd century. St. Valentine
has tradionally been regarded as the
patron saint of lovers.