February 14 - Valentines Days
Who was St. Valentine?
What St. Valentine, an ancient Roman festival, and Geoffrey Chaucer all have in common.
Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 ce by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus. According to legend, the priest signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter, whom he had befriended and, by some accounts, healed from blindness. Other accounts hold that it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, for whom the holiday was named, though it is possible the two saints were actually one person. Another common legend states that St. Valentine defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from war. It is for this reason that his feast day is associated with love.
February 16 - Family Day
My family is the ocean around us.
My father is the hurricane,
knocking anything and everybody out of his path.
My mother is the sunshine after the storm (my father),
clearing and calming everything else.
My oldest brother is the sand,
kicked and blown away by my dad,
but warmed with care by my mom.
My oldest sister is the breeze in the wind,
cool, quiet, and there when you need her.
My other two brothers are the stingrays,
dangerous,
but also willing to fight anyone who comes along.
And I,
I am an old ship at the bottom of the sea,
lost, abandoned, but full of memories.
YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE
The roots of Chinese New Year trace back to ancient folklore. According to legend, a sea creature named Nian would appear on New Year’s Eve, terrifying villagers and damaging homes. Over time, people discovered that the creature feared loud noises and the colour red.
To protect themselves, villagers began setting off firecrackers, hanging red decorations and wearing red clothing. What began as a protective ritual gradually evolved into enduring traditions that define the celebration today.
Even now, red lanterns, fireworks and festive decorations remain essential symbols of protection and good fortune.
Traditions That Define the 15-Day Celebration
Chinese New Year revolves around family, gratitude and fresh beginnings. It is one of the largest annual human migrations in the world, as millions travel home for reunion dinners.