關於Valentine's Day 的一些說法和數據

 關(guan) 於(yu)  Valentine’s Day 的起源

有兩(liang) 種說法，一種說是來自於(yu) 羅馬時候的酒神節（a Roman Bacchanal）【這種說法相對比較主流】

The most common explanation for how Valentine’s Day came to be is the ancient festival of Lupercalia, a raucous, wine-fueled fertility rite in which Roman men and women paired off. This theory has appeared in news articles for decades.

另外一個(ge) 說法是這個(ge) 節日是慶祝春天的到來（ ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍a chance to celebrate spring in February）

14世紀的英國人覺得這是春天開始的日子‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

... on Feb. 14, took place at a time when Britons in the 14th century thought spring began, with birds starting to mate and plants beginning to bloom

至於(yu) 為(wei) 什麽(me) 要叫Valentine這個(ge) 名字，其實慶祝春天的節日當時有很多不同的名字，隻是 Valentine 這個(ge) 名字讀起來比較好聽，所以人們(men) 留下來這個(ge) 名字

... Europeans at the time thought “Valentine” was a nice-sounding name. Other saints who were celebrated in mid-February had names with less poetic appeal: St. Scholastica, St. Austrebertha, St. Eulalia and St. Eormenhild.

這是一個(ge) 花錢的日子

It’s also a day to spend money. Americans are projected to spend $26 billion on Valentine’s Day this year, up from $23.9 billion in 2022, according to the National Retail Federation. More than half of consumers plan to celebrate and will spend an average of $192.80, the group said.

花店一年近1/3 的收入來自於(yu) 這一天

Valentine’s Day accounts for some 30 percent of annual cut-flower sales — more than the holiday season does, more than even Mother’s Day ...

人們(men) 的伴侶(lv) 選擇影響著社會(hui) 財富分配‍‍

有個(ge) 社會(hui) 學名詞叫‍‍‍‍‍assortative mating，類似傳(chuan) 統定義(yi) 的“門當戶對”

“It” is assortative mating, in which creatures tend to couple with those that are most like them. 

assortative mating 會(hui) 導致社會(hui) 的貧富拉大，這個(ge) 好理解，引入如果rich 的找rich，財富就會(hui) 越來越積聚在某個(ge) 特定人群。

... assortative mating appears to contribute to societal inequality when people use education or income as one of their sorting criteria. When a doctor marries a nurse or a teacher or a mechanic, societal inequality is lessened. When a doctor marries another doctor, the rich get richer.

讓ChatGPT 來寫(xie) 點節日寄語吧

用Taylor Swift 歌詞的腔調

My love, your heart so sweet / My love, I can’t compete / Your stunning eyes, my heartfelt sighs / I’m forever yours, our love will never die. 

用Yelp 點評的腔調

My experience with my partner has been nothing short of magical. From candlelit dinners to romantic strolls, the connection between us is undeniable. I’m grateful for their understanding and compassion and for their ability to always make me laugh. I’m excited for a lifetime of making memories and I’m thrilled to have them as my valentine! 5 stars all the way! 

用學前班小同學的腔調

Roses are red, violets are blue, I love you, and I like hugs too! Happy Valentines Day! 

參考文章

Liam Stack. "Did Valentine’s Day Start as a Roman Party or to Celebrate an Execution?" The New York Times, Feb. 13, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/article/valentines-day-facts-history.html.

Margaret Renkl. "I Love You, Too, but Let’s Skip the Roses." The New York Times, Feb. 13, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/13/opinion/flowers-valentines-day-sustainability.html.

Peter Coy. "Studies Show How Cupid Isn’t Fair." The New York Times, Feb. 13, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/13/opinion/marriage-assortative-mating.html.