What is the History Behind Giving Roses on Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day has been associated with the giving of roses for many centuries. The tradition of giving roses as a symbol of love and affection on Valentine's Day is believed to have originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, where young men would draw the names of women from a box and pair off for the duration of the festival. As Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, the festival of Lupercalia was replaced by St. Valentine's Day, and the custom of giving roses as a symbol of love continued. Today, giving valentines day roses remains a popular tradition, with millions of people all over the world exchanging roses with their loved ones on this special day. The color of the rose also carries significance, with red roses symbolizing true love, yellow roses symbolizing friendship, and white roses symbolizing purity and innocence.