Sant Jordi - The catalan Valentine

The catalan St.Valentine

Sant Jordi (St. George) is the patron saint of Catalonia, whose feast is celebrated on April 23.

This day is customary in Catalonia that men give a red rose to women, and women a book to men.

So they say that the day of Sant Jordi is the day of love for the Catalans, as both a gift as a token of his love is made.

Today the tradition is so widespread among people who not only love those gifts are made, parents also tend to give a rose to their daughters or even their mothers.

This custom comes from the beautiful legend of Sant Jordi. Then we tell you so you understand why this tradition began.

International Book day

Every April 23 the streets of Catalonia are filled with little shops of flowers and books.

It is customary among the locals stroll along streets such as La Rambla and Rambla de Catalunya to buy the book and the rose that day.

Because of this custom, the day of Sant Jordi was declared World Book Day by UNESCO in 1996.

The historical explanation is that one day April 23 Shakespeare and Cervantes died, there has been declared International Day of the Book.

Legend of Saint Jordi

Legend tells us that there was a dragon that frightened the small town of Montblanc, located in the south of Catalonia.

To avoid his fierce attacks, he gave a young girl every day, which was chosen by a popular draw. Until one day, the slaughter weight fell on the princess, who was given to the beast.

When he was about to be devoured, appeared Sant Jordi, a brave knight who fought against the dragon and won, stabbing his sword into the heart and rescuing a beautiful princess.

Then, the blood that flowed Dragon Heart, was born a red rose. Hence the tradition of giving a red rose to women, the tradition of the book came later ... some believe that the princess wrote a love poem to the knight.