Valentine's Day Traditions
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The Birds of Valentine's Day- One suspicion connected to Valentine's Day is that the first bird a women sees on the day, would determine the kind of husband she would marry. Below is a list of birds and they're meanings:
  
Blackbird - a man of the cloth or religious figure
Dove - a man with a good and generous heart
Goldfinch - a man of wealth, especially if it was a yellow goldfinch
Sparrow - a happy man
Hawk - a brave man, most likely a soldier
Crossbill - a man of bad temper, argumentative
Robin - a man of the sea
Bluebird - a happy man
Owl - a man destined to live a short life
Woodpecker - It is believed the woman will never marry if a woodpecker is the first bird she sees on Valentine's Day

England - One early tradition had women eating a hardboiled egg then putting green leaves under their pillow to dream of their husband-to-be. Children threw parties during Victorian times playing games, dancing and exchanging valentines. This tradition grew and is popular among many.

France -  On the morning of Valentine's Day, the first man to be seen by a girl became her boy-friend or "valentine". Often engagement occurred after a year. Flowers became a popular gift when one of Henry IV's daughter received a bouquet from her chosen valentine.

Germany - Women would plant onions in pots, giving each a man's name and placing them near the fireplace. The first sprout onion would be the husband-to-be.

Italy - Cupid is a cherub angel who shoots arrows at people making them fall in love. (From Roman Mythology: The Roman god of love and desire (Eros in Greek mythology). He fell deeply in love with Psyche (a mortal). They married and had a child named Pleasure.) Roman Emperor Claudius II forbad soldiers to become engaged or marry. The priest Valentine secretly married many couples. He was punished on February 14th for his defiance. Youth would gather in places such as a garden to listen to romantic music and poetry. Roman youths would draw the names of a girl from a jar that were to be their partners during Lupercalia (celebration of the wolf).

Scotland - Gifts given in early times were a knot made of ribbon or paper.

USA - Exchanging of gifts and cards are the popular tradition of America. School children enjoy classroom parties exchanging sweethearts. Many marriages occur along with proposals.

Wales - Gifts of carved wooden love spoons were exchanged. People decorated with hearts, keys and keyholes. The person who received a key was said to be able to unlock the givers heart.