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Signature rose anyone?

Love is the most revered emotion in the world and even the fuzziest, writes AMRITA NAYAK

DAY TO CELEBRATE You don't have to spend big on Valentine's Day, a simple gesture like holding hands will do PHOTO: R. RAGU

Valentine's Day is around the corner. Get ready to be in love and fall in love. "It is a day meant for lovers, but love exists in every relationship. To me, every relationship can be celebrated on February 14. That day is celebrated even in the remembrance of St. Valentine himself," say Suresh and Ganesh, civil engineers at ONGC. Kevin, a lecturer, also feels that only one day need not be kept aside to celebrate or profess love. "When you truly love someone, everyday can be a Valentine's Day." Now, isn't that being romantic!

Expressions of love such as Valentine's Day greeting cards, boxes of chocolates, flowers, presents or special events mark the occasion. "Gifts symbolise feelings and are custodians of fond memories. It is not mandatory that gifts be given, but they usually are," says Lakshmi, a first year student at K.A.M.C.

The red rose

Presenting a red rose is a common custom. Red rose is the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman deity of love. Red stands for strong feelings and love is a strong feeling — so red rose is a flower of love. One single perfect red rose framed with baby's breath is referred to by some florists as Signature Rose and is the preferred choice of gift on Valentine's Day. As for other flowers, generally men appear to respond well to vivid, crisp colours such as orange, purple and blue, while women tend to relish pastel tones of pinks, peaches and lavenders.

Cupid, doves, lovebirds, roses, hearts and arrows are all symbols of Valentine's Day. Cupid was the symbol for the Roman god of love and beauty. What constitutes a perfect Valentine's Day? Well, Patricia and her friends, who are final year B.Com students at St. Aloysius College, say: "Candlelight dinners, exchange of gifts and a long drive." College campus is where a lot of love and romance happens. If you wondered how long such love lasts, Patricia's friend Asha is quick to quell doubts: "It depends on the type of love a couple is in." Most youngsters vouch for the same opinion, with some shouldering off the responsibility to destiny to make love last long. There are others who say that love that blossoms in college is "infatuation" or "time-pass".

Vibrant colours

A common scene in colleges on Valentine's Day is girls and guys dressed in vibrant colours waiting excitedly to know if they will meet that Special One. On February 14, certain colours carry messages. Watch out what colour you have on you: red — in love; blue — single and available; white — a pure heart; black — has been ditched; yellow — friendship; purple — too much of attitude; pink — flirt.

The bone of contention between guys and gals is who must take the initiative to profess one's love. Veronica, a student says: "The trend has been that of guys being the first to take the plunge to profess. This trend is likely to continue in every age." Guys retort that it need not be that way. This is an argument that will have no winners.

If one thought Valentine's Day is meant only for youngsters, it is jumping to conclusions. February 14 is also an occasion for married couples to send special gifts to their spouses who may be away for different reasons. They purchase cards and gifts to celebrate their love. Dilnawaz and Nadeem who married for love, celebrate Valentine's Day with the same merry and excitement as they used to previously. "Love never stops adding spice to life. True love only keeps getting better. February 14 is a perfect day for husband and wife to celebrate their love," they say.

With parties, fun and excitement happening across the globe, Valentine's Day is considered the next big occasion to be celebrated with much fanfare after Christmas. In this new age characterised by speed dating and cyber love, people believe in an older, "truer" love — the most revered human emotion.

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