The mixed emotions of Valentine's Day - Feb 14th in pictures

14th February 2012

Valentine's Day. A day to show the ones you love just how much you love them? A special day to reveal your private feelings? A day for grotesque displays of affection? Or just a day for rampant commercialisation?

Valentine's day is a day that often divides opinions.

It can reignite smouldering relationships or it can isolate already lonely souls.

Even the motives behind the day's creation and the Saint himself have been surrounded with doubt. Still, people the world over now celebrate St Valentine's as a day of love.

And last year on Blipfoto the (mixed) emotions of St Valentine's Day were clear for all to see.

Here is a gallery of some of our favourite shots from last year's Valentine's Day.

What does St Valentine's Day mean to you? Share your 2012 pictures and stories by posting a link to your Blip for today below.

St Valentines Day, Boston, couple flying a kite

Valentines Day, waiting in a florist queue

Some facts about Valentine's Day

It's estimated that in America $16 billion dollars is spent on Valentine's day... apparently.

In the UK it is 503m blown on cards, gift and romantic treats.

Valentine's Day has spawned celebrations of love beyond western culture. In Japan and Korea, Valentine's has become almost an obligation for women to give chocolates, known as giri-choco, to all of their co-workers. A reciprocal day on 14th of March known as White Day has emerged in recent times whereby men are supposed to thank those who remembered them on Valentine's Day with white chocolate or marshmallows.

On April 14 (Black Day), those who did not receive anything on the 14th of Feb or March go to a restaurant to eat black noodles and "mourn" their single life.

It's widely reported that in Japan, Morozoff Ltd introduced the 'celebration' for the first time in 1936, when it ran an ad aimed at foreigners. However, Japanese chocolate companies now make half their annual sales during this time of the year.

In most of Latin America the Dia del amor y la amistad ("day of love and friendship") and the Amigo secreto are usually celebrated on the 14 of February. The latter consists of randomly assigning 'a secret friend' to each person who is then given an anonymous gift.

In Spain Valentine's Day is known as "San Valentin", although in Catalonia it is largely superseded by festivities of La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day), where roses and books are traditionally given to loved ones.

In Sweden it is called Alla hjartans dag ("All Hearts' Day") and was launched by the flower industry in the 1960s. Sales of cosmetics and flowers on All Hearts Day are now only exceeded by those for Mother's Day.

In Finland and Estonia, Valentine's Day is called Ystavanpaiva and Sobrapaev respectively - which translates into "Friend's day" - a day to remember all your friends, not only your loved ones.