Some people think I have taken this self-love thing a little too far. I admit it isn’t everybody who once bought herself a sterling silver flask inscribed “I Love You.” (What can I say? It was cute.) But with Valentine’s Day approaching, I think we should take a fresh look at this whole romantic gift-giving thing.
First off, the gauzy pink aura that envelops February 14 belies the holiday’s scandalous history. As legend has it, two guys who would both become saints, and both named Valentine, were executed on February 14 under Roman Emperor Claudius II. One of these fellows, Saint Valentine of Terni, allegedly officiated at secret weddings for Roman soldiers which annoyed the emperor. He also once wrote a love letter to a young girl and signed it “From your Valentine,” which is how this phrase came down to us. (This is a nice story, but frankly I have my doubts.)
The more you look into this, the worse it gets. Apparently there was also an ancient Roman fertility festival called Lupercalia, a mid-February bacchanalia that featured naked Roman priests running the streets and gently slapping (what?!) women with bloody animal hides. As if this weren’t bad enough, after the paddling these luckless females were paired with men by lottery. Pope Gelasius put an end to these lurid hijinks, and is it is sometimes thought that he replaced this debauchery with the vastly more respectable St. Valentine’s Day.
But enough hidden history! Despite the gross back story, the day has come down to us as a time to celebrate romantic love, with a gift of flowers, candy—or at least a card!—or best of all, beautiful jewelry, often heart-shaped. This symbol, whether rendered in paste or platinum, rhinestones or real stones, is the absolute embodiment of a serious love token. (Think about it—if that person you believe you are in a causal relationship with shows up on your doorstep with a heart-shaped bauble, would this not indicate that they wish to take things to a whole other level?)
Here then, a cavalcade of our favorite heart-shaped jewels—maybe, just maybe, someone will take your broad hint—a print-out pinned to a pillow?—and come through on the big day with one of these glittering prizes. Then again, if this is not the year love has blossomed, you can always give a heart to that special person in your life—yourself.
Rings
Necklaces
Earrings
Bracelets
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