Every February 14 approaches with rose-red homepage images and a Valentine's quiz close behind. The questions blend legend, symbols and traditions, and the core facts are pleasantly stable from year to year.
Explore more: Holiday Quiz Answers Today Quiz Tips
The legend and the date
Valentine's Day, February 14, takes its name from St. Valentine, a Roman-era priest associated by legend with performing forbidden marriages and signing a note 'from your Valentine'. The holiday's romantic association solidified in the Middle Ages, with Chaucer's poetry often credited for linking the date to love.
Symbols Bing asks about
Cupid, the Roman god of desire and son of Venus (the Greek counterpart is Eros), fires the arrows. Red roses symbolise deep love, the heart shape stands in for affection, and 'X' as a kiss traces to medieval letter-signing customs. Each symbol has fronted a Bing question.
Traditions worldwide
In Japan, women traditionally give chocolate on February 14 and men reciprocate on White Day, March 14, a detail quizzes love. Conversation-heart candies and the billions spent on flowers and cards supply the statistics questions around the holiday.
Quick answers
The stable facts, February 14, St. Valentine, Cupid and Venus, red roses, answer most rounds. For statistics or a specific country's custom, one search of the tradition confirms the current figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was St. Valentine?
A Roman-era priest linked by legend to performing forbidden marriages; the holiday on February 14 carries his name.
Who is Cupid?
The Roman god of desire, son of Venus, whose Greek counterpart is Eros, the quiz's favourite mythology crossover.
What is White Day?
Japan's March 14 tradition where men return gifts received on Valentine's Day, a world-tradition detail Bing enjoys testing.