Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The rose is the flower most associated with love and romance. It was sacred to the Roman goddess of love - Venus. The rose has been celebrated as a symbol of true love by many writers and poets. Which poet confessed that his love was like a red, red rose?
2. It has long been claimed that single girls may dream of their true love by placing a certain item under their pillow. What object will give these hopeful maidens a glimpse of the man of their dreams?
3. Gloves have had a very long association with love. "If that from Glove you take the letter G, Then Glove is Love and that I send to thee."
In Victorian times, tiny paper gloves were popular valentines, while the handing of her glove from a lady to her man meant acceptance of his proposal. What was given to indicate that the suit had been rejected?
4. A knight often carried love tokens from his lady into battle. Gloves were a particular favourite and they were given by the knight as well as his true love. What other symbol of love and fidelity might be worn by the gallant suitor?
5. Flowers have been symbols of love and affection since time began. The pansy's name is derived from the French "pensee" - to think - as it was thought the pansy could inspire thoughts of a loved one. Even Shakespeare understood the significance of this flower. In which of his plays did his characters make a love potion from the pansy?
6. The heart is without a doubt the most common symbol of love. It was regarded by many as the seat of the soul. Others felt the heart was related to intelligence, nobility and the source of emotions. Both the Greeks and the Romans saw the heart as a target for the arrows of a young winged god. For the Greeks this was Eros but the Romans knew this god by which name?
7. St. Valentine's Day is a day for lovers. In the third century A.D., the Roman priest Valentinus was beheaded for conducting secret wedding ceremonies against the express orders of Emperor Claudius II. It is widely believed that this is the origin of this Saint's Day, and lovers still mark the occasion with cards, flowers and chocolates. What Valentine tokens were sent in the past to signify undying love?
8. Birds have long been regarded as love symbols. A robin singing on a windowsill is a sign of happiness and love. In Victorian times, pairs of small parrots were called love birds and signified fidelity, as these birds mate for life. Which bird symbolised the promise of a gentle and happy life as far back as ancient Rome, and is still released at weddings today?
9. The early days of Rome also saw the emergence of one of the most enduring love symbols of all - the ring. The unbroken circle symbolised eternity. The placement on the left ring finger is attributed to the Ancient Egyptian belief that the nerves from this finger lead straight to the heart. The Ancient Greeks used the ring as a love symbol as well. Which animal was depicted on many Greek wedding rings?
10. Diamonds are a symbol of love. Cupid's arrows are said to have been tipped with diamonds and in 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, as a promise for marriage. Today most women in western cultures expect a diamond when they become engaged. While many of the love symbols and tokens discussed in this quiz have developed from pure and romantic traditions - it is not so with the diamond engagement ring. Which company mounted a determined and highly successful campaign to have diamonds perceived as the only acceptable engagement stone?
Source: Author
Nannanut
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gtho4 before going online.
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