11 Strange and Quirky Valentine’s Day Traditions from the Past

The Valentine’s Day we celebrate today—filled with roses, chocolates, and greeting cards—has been shaped by centuries of peculiar and fascinating traditions. People have tied their superstitions, dreams, and anxieties to rituals and gifts that range from charmingly odd to downright bizarre. From crafting sharp, insulting letters to deter unwanted suitors to using a key as a talisman against epilepsy, here are 11 of the most unusual Valentine’s Day customs from history.

Predicting a Future Spouse Through Birds

The ancient Greeks and Romans practiced ornithomancy, an old tradition of interpreting omens by observing bird behavior. Over time, folklore adapted this belief, suggesting that the first bird an unmarried woman saw on Valentine’s Day would reveal the nature of her future husband. Spotting a swan indicated a lifelong, faithful partner; a dove hinted at a kind and gentle spouse; and a blackbird suggested she would marry someone in the clergy or engaged in spiritual or charitable work.

Writing a “Vinegar Valentine”

While Valentine’s Day is often associated with love letters, the Victorians had a different approach. They used this day of emotional expression to vent their feelings, sending not just affectionate poems but also scathing messages. A vinegar valentine was a clever way to reject unwanted suitors. These harsh notes didn’t carry the sweet scent of perfume like traditional love letters; instead, they were filled with biting critiques and unflattering caricatures of the recipient.

Creating a Puzzle Purse

When Victorians weren’t crafting sharp vinegar valentines, they were busy making charming paper creations known as puzzle purses. These origami-like folded papers revealed delightful poems or drawings as each corner was unfolded. The corners were often numbered, guiding the reader through the message in a specific order, culminating in a final surprise at the center. These intricate love notes weren’t exclusive to Britain—some exquisite American examples have survived over the years and found their way to auction houses, fetching prices between $6000 and $8000.

Gifting Violets

While red roses dominate modern Valentine’s Day celebrations, violets were the traditional floral choice for centuries. Up until the 1930s, New Englanders favored violets as the ideal Valentine’s Day gift. This preference stems from medieval legends surrounding Saint Valentine. One tale recounts that Valentine, a priest persecuted by Emperor Claudius for his Christian faith, crushed violet flowers growing outside his prison cell to create ink. He used this ink to write letters, which were reportedly delivered by a dove.

Communicating Through Flowers

The Victorians popularized the language of flowers, using carefully arranged bouquets to convey secret messages to their lovers. Even different rose colors carried distinct meanings: red for love, pink for happiness, white for purity, and yellow for jealousy or betrayal. This floral code allowed potential lovers to engage in a silent dialogue, with flowers answering “yes” or “no” questions. A bouquet presented with the right hand signaled “yes,” while the left hand meant “no.”

Displaying Your Lover’s Name on Your Sleeve

During the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, held in mid-February, women would pin the names of their romantic interests on their sleeves. This tradition evolved in medieval times, with knights wearing ribbons on their wrists as tokens of affection from their beloveds. The phrase was immortalized by Shakespeare centuries later in his play Othello, giving rise to the popular idiom we use today.

Presenting Your Date with a Love Spoon

In Wales, instead of celebrating Saint Valentine, people honor Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, on January 25. Alongside traditional gifts like flowers and chocolates, they exchange a uniquely Welsh token: the love spoon. Dating back to the 17th century, Welsh men would carve intricate wooden spoons as a symbol of affection for their beloved. Today, these beautifully crafted spoons are still available in Wales—but choose wisely when deciding whom to gift one to.

Gifting Children Keys to Protect Against Epilepsy

Valentine’s Day gifts aren’t always romantic. Saint Valentine is also the patron saint of epilepsy, credited with performing miraculous healings for young people suffering from the condition—once referred to as Saint Valentine’s illness in Austria, Switzerland, and northern Italy. This tradition persists today: At the Oratorio di San Giorgio chapel in Padua, a ceremony is held where children receive small keys believed to protect them from epilepsy.

Sending a Lone Glove as a Token of Love

The Victorians added a touch of drama to their romantic gestures by sending a single glove to their beloved. While gifting a pair of gloves as a Valentine’s present was already a tradition, as noted by 17th-century writer Samuel Pepys in his diary, Victorian men adapted this custom to convey a secret message. A gentleman would send one glove to his valentine, hoping she would wear it on Easter Sunday as a sign of reciprocated affection.

Creating Extravagant Handmade Cards

Long before mass-produced cards filled store shelves, Victorian romantics would dedicate hours to creating ornate and often extravagant handmade cards to express their affection. These cards were lavish works of art, adorned with ribbons, dried flowers, metallic foil, and delicate lace.

Seeking Romantic Signs in a Graveyard

Forget Halloween graveyard visits: As part of this eerie tradition, young singles would venture to cemeteries on Valentine’s Day, as noted by author Leigh Eric Schmidt. At midnight, they would search for omens and signs to predict the identity of their future beloved.