History of Valentine's Day, Pugh's Flowers Memphis


With Valentine's Day near, Pugh's Flowers would like to help get everyone in the mood for romance.  Here's some fun legends and truths about Valentine's day that might interest you. Just a little information about why we send gifts and why the color red is used. 

1. St. Valentine's day dates back to the 14th century. The tradition of sending Valentine cards has no relation to the original saints. It is probable that the Valentine was the first of all greeting cards.
Paper Valentines date from the 16th century. By 1800 hand-painted copper plates were produced to meet a large demand.These were followed by woodcuts and lithographs.

2. Red, the color of Valentine's Day, is equated with the heart, flesh, and emotion. The emotions evoked by red are those that get the blood up, from love and courage to lust, rage and joy.

3. The red rose, the ultimate symbol of love, is said to have been created out of the lifeless body of a nymph by Chloris, the Greek goddess of flowers. One popular origin myth of Valentine's Day is the imprisonment of a christian, named Valentine, who was compassionate towards children. When Valentine refused to worship the Roman gods, he was thrown in jail. Children from all over wrote endearing messages and tossed them to Valentine through the bars of his cell window. He later became St. Valentine.

4. Giving candy on Valentine's Day became popular in the late 19th century when sugarcane cultivation spread worldwide.
Chantilly Lace, a delicate trim of flowers and scrolls, is often the background fabric for cards,
candy and flowers on Valentine's day.

5. Other flowers symbolizing love include red tulips - declaration of love; honeysuckle - bonds of love; red carnation - passion, fascination and pure love; and larkspur - ardent attachment.



6. Hallmark, the world's largest greeting card company, helped create the modern greeting-card industry, pioneering the sale of inexpensive card-plus-envelope to replace the postcards and elaborate valentines.



7. An old English belief dictates that birds pick their mates on February 14th.




Call Pugh's Flowers Pugh's Flowers at 901-363-6744 to order your Valentine's day gifts for that special person. We have many gifts from roses and beautiful mixed arrangements to chocolates, cakes, stuffed animals, and beautiful blooming plants. Our staff is anxious to assist in all your floral needs. Come in and see us!