With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, you may be wondering, ‘what should I buy my sweetheart this year?’ Though gift giving is an art in and of itself, we here at MENAM have a few unique suggestions brought to you by ancient history.
Special Rocks, Shells, & Flowers
Some of our earliest ancestors used rocks, shells, and flowers both as gifts and grave-goods. Just like us today, people have been gifting rocks such as crystals and precious stones, shells fastened into jewelry, and bouquets of wild and cultivated flowers for 50,000 years.
Flowers have also been used for centuries to convey secret messages:
Red Roses = True Love
Mix of Red Roses and Dahlia = Commitment and Eternal Love
Red Tulips = Declaration of Love
Pink Roses = Just a Passing Fancy
Hollyhocks, Lupins, White Heather, & Ragged Robin = Admiration for one’s wit
Bluebells = Kindness
Peonies = Bashfulness
Amulets
Jewelry has been given as a gift for thousands of years but one unique gift was that of an amulet. Various ancient cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians would gift amulets to family, friends, and loved ones in order to provide them protection from illnesses and other misfortune.
Ancient Egypt = Amulet of Bastet (feline goddess of protection to ward off illness)
Ancient Greece = Engraved Figures (e.g.,‘sickness be off, Heracles lives here’)
Ancient Rome = Phallic Pendant of Fascinus (the divine phallus to invoke protection)
Fire
Perhaps the hottest gift idea on this list, fire has been a popular gift among cultures around the world. From candles to wood, fire is integral to the human experience - and what better way to tell someone ‘you’re hot’ this year than with the gift of fire!?
Candle Wishes = Blown out thus releasing the wish to the gods to be answered
Warding Flames = Lit to ward off evil spirits
Firewood = Gifted as a means to warm one’s home (a ‘housewarming’ gift) and then to cook with to aid in festivities.
So now you know what to give your loved ones, based on what you really want to say - you can thank us in your wedding speech!
Text: Megan Kumorek. MENAM Archaeology. Copyright 2023
Image: Roman Phallic Pendant. Norfolk County Council, Erica Darch, 2011-02-16.
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