Dictionary

Festival of Lupercalia: The Roman festival held in February and believed to help ward off wolves from attacking the sheep, also involving the killing of goats and using the skins to whip females in hopes of making them more fertile.

galantine: A French word that some believe is the origination of "Valentine" and meaning "gallant" or "lover."

Gamelian: In Ancient Greece, this was the period between mid-January and mid-February and a period for celebrating the "month of marriage" for mythical god Zeus and goddess Hera.

giri-choco: A Japanese custom, meaning "obligatory chocolate" or "duty" chocolate, in which women present all men of their acquaintance with gifts of chocolate; often a rather costly endeavor.

heart: The organ that physicians once believed was the center of human emotions; hence, the symbolism for Valentine's Day and when depicted pierced with an arrow is also a sign of vulnerability as well as a union between male and female.

Howland, Esther A.: The young woman who first created elaborate Valentine's Day cards in the United States, beginning in her hometown of Worcester, Mass., and soon selling across the nation.