Teddy Day today: Celebrating love and care in colours

The week of love began with Rose Day. The fourth day, Tuesday, February 10, has been celebrated worldwide as Teddy Day. The day is celebrated by gifting a cuddly teddy bear to a loved one as a symbol of tenderness, affection, and loyalty in a romantic relationship.

Alongside cards, chocolates, and flowers, the teddy bear has now become one of the primary mediums for expressing love. There is a certain elegance in gifting a teddy, one that does not fade with time.

There is nothing quite like a teddy bear to mend a lover's quarrel or to make a dear one feel special. It is not merely a toy; rather, it signifies the presence of a partner in their absence. This soft doll reflects the depth and affection of a relationship, which is why the day has secured a special place on the Valentine's calendar.

The teddy bear can be considered a symbolic gift for romantic couples. The primary reason behind gifting a teddy bear is to express love for the dear one and to make them happy. When you are away, your loved one seeks the opportunity to feel your presence by embracing the soft teddy you sent.

While the teddy is popular as a gift, there is a touching history behind it. In November 1902, the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, went hunting in Mississippi and refused to shoot a small black bear cub. Inspired by a cartoon drawn by cartoonist Clifford Berryman about this humane act, Morris Michtom and his wife created the first toy bear and named it 'Teddy Bear' after the president's nickname, 'Teddy'. From 1903 onwards, it began gaining worldwide popularity.

On Teddy Day, the colour of the teddy being gifted also carries different meanings.

Red Teddy: The red teddy is a symbol of deep love and passion. It expresses the strength of a relationship and the intensity of love.

Pink Teddy: The pink teddy primarily hints at accepting a proposal. If the gift is accepted, it is considered a positive response to a proposal of love.

Orange Teddy: The orange teddy is a symbol of joy and positivity. It carries the hint of a potential proposal or a new relationship.

Blue Teddy: The blue teddy expresses deep and sincere love. It signifies the depth of love for the dear one and the prosperity of the relationship.

Green Teddy: The green teddy is a symbol of firm commitment and deep emotional connection. It indicates a trust-based and long-lasting relationship.

Surprise your dear one by gifting a big or small teddy in their favourite colour. Write a romantic note along with it. Nowadays, the trend of giving customised gifts by printing the dear one's photo or name on the teddy is also quite popular.