Valentine's Day is one of the most popular holidays, probably because its theme applies to people the world over. Anyone affected by love has a reason to celebrate on this date! The holiday most likely originated from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, an annual rite of passage festival for young men.

The names of young women were placed in a box and randomly selected by the youths. The two would be partners for the length of a year, when another lottery would be held.

This ritual was established around the 4th century B.C.E. and lasted at least for several centuries before it was stripped of its pagan characteristics and a commemoration of lovers through the exchange of heartfelt notes gradually emerged in its place.

During his rule, the Roman Emperor Claudius II issued an edict that banned marriage, because he believed that the demands of a family compromised a soldier's dedication and motivation.

The contemporary celebration takes its name from church legend, according to which a priest by the name of Valentine conducted secret marriage ceremonies to join illicit lovers.

He was promptly arrested and put to death on February 14, 269 or 270 C.E. While imprisoned, the priest inexplicably restored the sight of the prison guard's daughter, and left a parting note for her signed "from your Valentine" prior to his execution, hence the term for the messages of love given on this day.

St. Valentine's identity remains questionable due to conflicting biographical information, but the essence of St. Valentine's Day as an observance of love is undisputed.

The practices commonly associated with Valentine's Day can also be ascribed to the medieval belief popular in Great Britain and France that birds pick their partners on February 14th.

Formal Valentines began to be circulated in approximately the 14th or 15th centuries in those countries, and the first commercially printed cards most likely appeared in the 18th century.

Those Valentines were delicate crafts made out of paper, decorated with ribbons and lace, depicting birds and other natural symbols. Write a love story or poem for your Valentine, and win her or his heart.

Give the person you love the gift of your time, after all that is what they really want! Work on communicating how you feel every day and sharing your love openly whether with cute gifts, writing sweet notes, leaving special treats in your beloved's path, or just calling one another more often.

Be attentive to your partner's needs and get in touch with your romantic side, you might even enjoy it! If you are still looking, use Valentine's Day as a chance to flirt, open up, and possibly find who you're looking for.

For instance, you can carry some candies with flirtatious messages with you, and use them as an icebreaker with those around you in any situation.

Another prominent symbol of this holiday is the god of love, Cupid as he was known by the Romans. A myth about his own adventures in love is a great story to tell in honor of the occasion.

Psyche was an unparalleled beauty, and attracted suitors that lavished her with gifts and attentions usually reserved for the gods. She began to draw attention away from Venus, and the goddess became incensed.

Turning to Cupid, her powerful son, she explained about Psyche and instructed him to make her fall in love with the most hideous creature in the universe. Instead, Cupid himself became deeply enamored of the gorgeous woman, becoming her lover and husband unbeknownst to Venus, on the condition that Psyche would never set eyes on him.

Coerced by her two sisters, who were overcome with jealousy at her riches, happiness, and divine spouse, Psyche decided to defy her husband's demand and got a glimpse of him while he slept. He woke and left with the words, "Love cannot live without trust."

Psyche was devastated, but decided to prove her devotion by approaching Venus, and throwing herself on the goddess' mercy. Venus was deeply angered by news of Psyche's and Cupid's marriage but accepted Psyche's services as a servant and put her through a series of perilous trials as a result of which Cupid, who had meanwhile decided to forgive Psyche, intervened.

This love story concludes with Cupid and Psyche, or love and the soul, united by love, and the marriage made official by the council of the gods.

Millions of free e-cards are sent each year, send one this year to make your valentines feel that bit more special.