西方情人節(jié)的來(lái)歷

There are varying opinions as to the origin of  Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries.

關(guān)于情人節(jié)的起源有許多種說(shuō)法。有關(guān)人士認(rèn)為情人節(jié)是一個(gè)名叫桑特-瓦倫丁的人士發(fā)起的。他是羅馬人，因?yàn)榫芙^放棄基督教而于公元前269年2月14日慘遭殺害，這一天也正好是全城盛行彩票抽獎(jiǎng)的日子。

Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".

而另外一種說(shuō)法更具有傳奇色彩，相傳桑特-瓦倫丁曾留下一本日記給了獄卒的女兒，署名為“你的情人”，據(jù)說(shuō)這名獄卒的女兒就是桑特-瓦倫丁的情人。

Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

還有其它的說(shuō)法也頗為有趣。比如說(shuō)有人認(rèn)為在克勞迪亞斯君王統(tǒng)治時(shí)期，桑特-瓦侖丁曾經(jīng)是一名神父，因?yàn)楣惶魬?zhàn)克勞迪亞斯君王的權(quán)威身陷囹圄。所以公元前496年羅馬教皇格萊西亞斯特意將2月14日作為一個(gè)特別的日子以紀(jì)念桑特-瓦倫丁。

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

此后2月14日就成為了一個(gè)具有特殊意義的日子。在這天人們向自己心儀的人傳遞信息以示愛意。而理所當(dāng)然的桑特瓦侖丁也就成為了為戀愛中的男女們牽線搭橋的人。在2月14日這天人們會(huì)特意做詩(shī)或者用一些小禮物送給自己心愛的人。而且人們還會(huì)組織各種各樣的聚會(huì)來(lái)慶祝這個(gè)特殊的節(jié)日。

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised.

艾瑟-霍蘭德小姐是美國(guó)第一位因?yàn)榘l(fā)送情人節(jié)卡片而受到榮譽(yù)獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)的人。早在19世紀(jì)初情人節(jié)就已處露商業(yè)化的端倪。而如今情人節(jié)已經(jīng)完全被商業(yè)化了。 比如每當(dāng)每年2月14日來(lái)臨的時(shí)候，一些城鎮(zhèn)如羅夫蘭、克羅拉多等，這里的人們都要派送大量的為情人節(jié)特備的卡片。

The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.

而在這天人們往往吟歌做詩(shī)并且把這些寫入卡片中送個(gè)自己喜歡的人以表達(dá)自己的愛意。而在學(xué)校里孩子門也喜歡互增賀卡來(lái)度過(guò)這個(gè)特殊的節(jié)日。久而久之就形成了一種習(xí)俗并且延續(xù)至今天。                   

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