Victorian Valentine’s Day: A Celebration of Love, Secrets, and Mischief

As we approach Valentine’s Day, let’s take a delightful journey back to the Victorian era, when this romantic holiday was celebrated with unparalleled enthusiasm and creativity. The Victorians truly knew how to express their affections in the most elaborate and sometimes surprising ways.

Handcrafted Tokens of Affection

Victorian Valentine’s cards were far from today’s shop-bought offerings. These were genuine works of art, often painstakingly created by hand. Picture receiving a card adorned with intricate lace patterns, delicate paintings, and even real pressed flowers. Some particularly daring Victorians went as far as incorporating unusual items like preserved butterflies into their designs—a gesture that might seem odd today but was considered quite romantic then.

Love’s Puzzling Pursuits

For those who fancied a bit of mystery, ‘puzzle purses’ were all the rage. These clever contraptions were fashioned from a single sheet of paper, folded intricately to hide a secret romantic message. As the recipient carefully unfolded each layer, they would uncover verses or small tokens of affection, adding an element of excitement to the declaration of love.

A Dash of Victorian Sass

Not all Valentine’s messages were sweet as honey. The Victorians had a wicked sense of humour, evident in their ‘vinegar valentines’. These cards were designed to poke fun at or even insult the recipient, often featuring unflattering caricatures and cheeky rhymes. They also allowed the sender to let someone know how they felt about someone’s behaviour. These were sent anonymously.

Floriography: The Secret Language of Flowers

The Victorians elevated subtle communication to an art form, particularly through their use of floriography, or the language of flowers. This intricate system assigned specific meanings to various blooms and hues, enabling the creation of complex messages through meticulously arranged bouquets. Red roses, the timeless symbol of romance, conveyed passionate, intense love. Their deep crimson petals spoke of desire and commitment, making them a popular choice for ardent suitors.

Pink roses, on the other hand, expressed a gentler affection. Their soft, blushing tones signified admiration, grace, and a more tender form of love, perfect for budding romances or expressing fondness without the intensity of their red counterparts.

Violets held a special place in this floral vocabulary. Their delicate purple blossoms carried multiple meanings, each adding depth to a bouquet’s message. These humble flowers symbolised faithfulness and modesty, but they also conveyed the sentiment, “I cannot stop thinking of you.” This made violets a favourite for those experiencing the sweet torment of infatuation or longing.

Peonies, with their lush, full blooms, represented prosperity and good fortune in love. They were often included in bouquets to wish the recipient a happy marriage or to express the sender’s hopes for a flourishing relationship.

Subtle Tokens of Affection

Subtle Tokens of AffectionFor those who preferred more discreet methods of flirtation, ‘love gloves’ provided a means of communication in public settings. Different gestures with gloves could convey various romantic messages without a word being spoken. For example, dropping a glove might signal interest, while tapping the chin with a gloved hand could indicate that one’s affections lay elsewhere.Acrostic jewellery was another clever invention. Gemstones were arranged so that their first letters spelt out romantic words. For instance, ‘DEAREST’ might be represented by diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire, and topaz. This allowed couples to wear their sentiments close to their hearts, hidden in plain sight from all but those who knew the secret.

Bringing Victorian Romance into Modern Witchcraft

As we reflect on these charming Victorian traditions, it’s clear that their celebration of Valentine’s Day was filled with creativity, secrecy, and a touch of mischief. For modern witches looking to incorporate these practices into their craft, there are numerous possibilities:

Create your own handmade cards, infusing them with magical intentions and using pressed herbs with specific magical properties.
Craft a puzzle purse with a spell or blessing hidden within its folds.
Use floriography in your spellwork, selecting flowers not just for their magical properties but also for their secret Victorian meanings.
Design your own version of acrostic jewellery, using crystals that spell out magical words of power.