Why Is It Traditional To Send Flowers On Valentine’s Day?

It may be the deep midwinter with the fun and sparkle of the festive season already beginning to fade from memory, but the season of love and romance will soon be with us! This means that events florists will already be gearing up for Valentine’s Day, to provide beautiful blooms to set the scene ready for those special moments. 

Here’s a look at why it is traditional to say it with flowers on Valentine’s Day.

The legacy of St Valentine

Like most legends, the origins of St Valentine are somewhat clouded by the mists of time. There are at least three possible contenders for the title of the authentic St Valentine, but it’s most often believed he was a Roman priest during the era of Emperor Claudius II. 

The emperor imposed a marriage ban for young men, because he believed that single men made better soldiers. However, Valentine continued to perform secret marriage ceremonies for lovestruck couples and sent them flowers from his garden. He was inevitably rumbled and imprisoned, and eventually executed.

The Victorian influence

The tradition of sending Valentine’s cards and bouquets didn’t take off until the Victorian era. Flowers were used as a way of expressing emotion, with different varieties being given particular symbolic status. This is when the association between red roses and love and passion took hold.

Present day customs

Although red roses are enduringly beautiful, in the modern era Valentine's Day flowers are much more varied, and you will find many other species in floral displays. These may include orchids, lilies, tulips, and eucalyptus, or many other thoughtful choices that can say so much.