西方情人節來歷The History of Western Valentine's Day

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.
　　關於情人節的起源有許多種說法。有關人士認爲情人節是一個名叫桑特-瓦倫丁的人士發起的。他是羅馬人，因爲拒絕放棄基督教而於公元前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，署名爲“你的情人”，據說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.
　　還有其它的說法也頗爲有趣。比如說有人認爲在克勞迪亞斯君王統治時期，桑特-瓦侖丁曾經是一名神父，因爲公然挑戰克勞迪亞斯君王的權威身陷囹圄。所以公元前496年羅馬教皇格萊西亞斯特意將2月14日作爲一個特別的日子以紀念桑特-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.
　　此後2月14日就成爲了一個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。而理所當然的桑特 瓦侖丁也就成爲了爲戀愛中的男女們牽線搭橋的人。在2月14日這天人們會特意做詩或者用一些小禮物送給自己心愛的人。而且人們還會組織各種各樣的聚會來慶祝這個特殊的節日。

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-霍蘭德小姐是美國第一位因爲發送情人節卡片而受到榮譽獎勵的人。早在19世紀初情人節就已處露商業化的端倪。而如今情人節已經完全被商業化了。 比如每當每年2月14日來臨的時候，一些城鎮如羅夫蘭、克羅拉多等，這裏的人們都要派送大量的爲情人節特備的卡片。

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並且把這些寫入卡片中送個自己喜歡的人以表達自己的愛意。而在學校裏孩子門也喜歡互增賀卡來度過這個特殊的節日。久而久之就形成了一種習俗並且延續至今天。