Origins and Legends of Valentines Day

St Valentine's Day has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of the Valentine's day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, who is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow. Several theories surround the history of Valentine's Day.

Was There a Real Valentine?

Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailer's daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailer's daughter a farewell letter, signing it "From Your Valentine." Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, received notes to his jail cell from children and friends who missed him.

Bishop Valentine

Another Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time, AD 200. He was imprisoned because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Some legends say he was burned at the stake.

Feast of Lupercalia

The ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia, a spring festival, on the 15th of February, held in honor of a goddess. Young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities. With the introduction of Christianity, the holiday moved to the 14th of February. The Christians had come to celebrate February 14 as the Saint day that celebrated the several early Christian martyrs named Valentine.

Choosing a Sweetheart on Valentine's Day

The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date spread through Europe in the Middle Ages, and then to the early American colonies. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14!

Greeting Cards

Probably the first greeting cards, handmade valentines, appeared in the 16th century. As early as 1800, companies began mass-producing cards. Initially these cards were hand-colored by factory workers. By the early 20th century even fancy lace and ribbon-strewn cards were created by machine. Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St Valentine's Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send roses, the flower of love. Most people send "valentine" a greeting card named after the notes that St Valentine received in jail.

Treat Your Valentine With Something Special In Zululand

Are you looking for something different and unique to treat your loved one this Valentine's Day? Look no further, we have a bunch of good ideas and romantic treats that is bound to warm your loved one's heart. From dinners to unusual getaways.

Pack a picnic breakfast and treat that someone special in your life to a meal in the treetops at Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk in Eshowe. The Boardwalk extends into the forest canopy, giving you a literal birds eye view. butterflies, birds, spectacular views, the ideal romantic spot. For more information, contact 035 474 4029

Take a sunset cruise through the Richards Bay Harbor. Port Sail Charters has daily harbor cruises and there is no better way to enjoy the spectacular sunset that gently cruising along with a glass of champagne. The rare Humpbacked Dolphin is often seen around the harbor as are flocks of terns, Fish eagles and even Pelicans and Flamingos if you are lucky! Visit www.portsail.co.za or Tel 073 156 7825 for more information and bookings.

Why not break away for an evening and treat your loved on and yourself to a couples aromatherapy massage at Lavernderlane near Mtunzini. You get to pick from African Rungu, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Indian Head, indulgent foot and full Aromatherapy. Prior booking essential. Visit www.lavenderlaneoils.com or Tel 083 682 2584 for more information



Events and Special Offers

• Celebrate Valentine's at Umfolozi with a delectable buffet dinner for two at the elegant Umoja Bistro. The price is R330 per couple and includes a welcome cocktail and hearty buffet meal. PLUS one lucky couple will win a midweek stay at the beautiful 4-Star Peermont Mondazur Hotel and Spa in Southbroom, KwaZulu Natal. Bookings are essential, please call Sharon Meyer on 035 787 8267 or e-mail: smeyer@umfolozicasino.co.za.
• Bishops Guest House In Eshowe is holding a Valentines Day special for R630 per couple per night. Prince includes breakfast, a romantic turn down as well as a special gift for the ladies. An ideal location for an easy escape. Tel 035 474 2371 for reservations and more information.
• Adams Outpost Restaurant, set alongside the historical Fort Nongqyai in Eshowe in a beautiful quiet environment are offering a special Valentine's Dinner menu. From smoked salmon to crumbed calamari and sizing Champagne cocktails, your taste buds will be enthralled. Reservations essential, Tel: 035 474 1787
• Why not step out and do something totally different? Malule Safaris has overnight Valentine's Day packages to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Eastern Shores area. Packages include transport, luxurious accommodation, romantic dinners and night drives. For full details and reservations email: info@malulesafaris.com or Tel 035 789 0521
• African Essence Spa, in Richards Bay and Empangeni have a Valentine's Day special for an Indian Head Massage at only R120, a treat your loved one is bound to relish. Email: info@africanessencespa.co.za or Tel 035 772 1853 / 035 753 3339 for more information and bookings.
• Spoil your loved on with a delicious buffet dinner at Woodpecker Inn in Richards Bay for only R150 per person. Bookings are essential. Tel 035 786 1230 for more information and reservations. 
• Want to do something totally exciting and adventurous?  Take a 30 minute Valentine's Day flight over Richards Bay with Richards Bay Air Carriers and make a memory that will last a lifetime. Tel 035 786 0146 or email pilot@aircarriers.co.za for reservations or more information. 
• Enjoy a tantalising carvery at the De Hoff Cellar Restaurant (Protea Hotel Empangeni) for only R155 per person. Bookings essential. Tel: 035 772 3322
• Order your pre-wrapped milk chocolate hearts from the Empangeni SPCA and they will hand deliver it to your loved on. For more information Tel: 035 792 9129
• Book your romantic table for two at the Dros (Richards Bay Waterfront) on Valentine's Day and stand a chance to receive a complimentary bottle of Champagne. Tel 035 788 0493 for reservations. 
• The Kwambo Club is hosting a special Valentine's Evening meal for just R125 and includes a free glass of bubbly on arrival. Tel: 083 895 7913 for reservations. 
• Treat your loved one to a traditional Valentine's Day carvery at the Protea Hotel Richards Bay for R155 per person. Bookings essential on Tel 035 753 1350 

Saying I Love You, The Zulu Way with Beaded Love Letters

According to Regina Twala (African Studies, Volume 10, no 3 1951, pp 113 - 123) all traditional Zulu beadwork, excluding items used by ritual specialists, relates in someway to courtship and marriage.

Love letters (incwadi) as we know them have been around since the introduction of glass beads, these were quickly given meanings dependent upon their colour. Prior to beads, Zulu girls would use seeds, ostrich eggshell and seashells for adornment. The love letters are small, postage stamp sized plaques of beads that convey an emotion to the recipient - usually a favourable or unfavourable inclination towards his advances. The colours are mixed to convey a range of meaning. Here are some examples:

• Black indicates the colours of the rafters of the hut, to which colour the maiden has turned in pining for her loved one.
• White is the colour of purity.
• Blue - if I were a dove, I would fly to your home and pick up food at your door.
• Yellow - I shall never eat if we marry because you own no beast you can slaughter.
• Pink - You should work harder to gain your lobola and not gamble your money away.
• Green - I have become thin like the sweet cane in a damp field and green as the first shoots of a tree because of my love for you.
• Red - My heart bleeds and is full of love.

Zulu beadwork forms a complex means of communication which is devoted entirely to the expression of ideas and feelings. Zulu beadwork is normally made only by women, but is worn by both sexes, as a result, any beadwork worn by a man has been given to him by a woman. In this way, beaded items can be used as a means of communication between unrelated males and females, which avoids the age old problem of initiating direct discussion on the sensitive subject of love.

The Business Of Love

With valentines day just around the corner, have you considered the economic value of "love" and the inevitably associated value of weddings and honeymoons?

Well, it seems the age old tradition of love is BIG business. In a recent survey undertaken by Plus94 market Research Solutions a significant proportion of the country across all race groups marks the day by buying presents, taking their loved one out for a meal or getting a romantic breakaway, with an average spend of about R400 per person, while some are as high as R100000 per person!

Although further statistics and figures from South Africa are not readily available, consider that valentines day in the United States generates over $14 Billion (R105 Billion) .....and the love of Valentines Day readily translates into the business of weddings and honeymoons. South Africa is a major Honeymoon destination, not quite on the level of some of the Indian Ocean Islands or the Caribbean, but you just need to Google, "Honeymoon South Africa" and you are greeted with over 20 million hits and a variety of lodges, specialist tour operators and event organizers focusing on the honeymoon market.

The American Honeymoon market has some of the best statistics available about couples who take their Honeymoons abroad. Consider these:

• Estimated Number of Honeymooners: 1.4 million U.S. couples per year of which 890 000 of those are abroad. 
• On average, the honeymoon is booked 4 months before the wedding. 
• Honeymoons comprise a $12 billion-dollar-a-year industry. 
• Couples spend an average of $4,466 on their honeymoon. That's three times as much as the average U.S. adult spends on a vacation. Luxury honeymooners, which comprise 15% of the market, spend an average of $9,954 and vacation for 11 days. 
• The honeymoon, on average, accounts for 14 percent of the wedding budget. 
• The length of an average honeymoon is eight days. 
• 62% of couples pay for most of their honeymoon on their own. 
• 10 percent of newlyweds take cruises for their honeymoon. 
• 40% of honeymooners will stay at a resort vs. 27 percent at a large hotel vs.10 percent at a small hotel.

We always hear about the high divorce rates and marriages breaking up, but on the positive side a total of 184 860 marriages were registered in South Africa in 2006, an increase of 26 percent from 10 years ago, according to Statistics South Africa. With the average South African wedding costing anything between R20 000 and R200 000 - you do the maths.