Customs of lovers in countries on Valentine’s Day (Valentine’s Day 14/2 Gregorian calendar). What are the customs of Valentine’s Day 14/2? What should you do on Valentine’s Day 14/2? Let’s find out together.Before you continue to explore the unique and interesting Valentine’s Day traditions around the world that make this day special in these countries, here is the story of Valentine’s Day that you should know.
Valentine’s Day is approaching very fast, and along with it, stores in many places are filled with heart-shaped candies, stuffed toys, balloons, and various types of chocolates. While stores are filled with red balloons and gift materials, which is a common sight on Valentine’s Day in India and some other countries, couples in Bulgaria celebrate their love with a wonderful local wine, lovebirds in Wales exchange specially crafted and intricate wooden spoons, and Romanian couples go into the woods to pick flowers and wash their faces in the snow as a sign of luck. Celebrating Valentine’s Day around the world takes place in different ways reflecting local ideas about love.
What is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day on February 14th every year, known in English as Valentine’s Day, also known as “Valentine’s Day” or “Lover’s Day,” is named after Saint Valentine. This is the day when the whole world honors love between couples. They express their love by sending each other Valentine cards, roses, chocolates, and some other special gifts that carry a lot of meaning. Previously, Valentine’s Day was only celebrated in North America and Europe, but today it has become popular in most countries around the world.
History of Valentine’s Day
Valentine celebrated worldwide in honor of Saint Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why is the festival celebrated with such enthusiasm! Although the truth behind the festival is dark, there are some stories you want to know. It is said that Valentine was a priest serving in the 3rd century in Rome, and when Emperor Claudius II declared that single men made better soldiers than those with families and wives, he outlawed marriage for young soldiers.
Valentine has fought against this injustice by performing secret marriages for young lovers. When the emperor discovered Valentine’s actions, he ordered the saint to be executed. Another story suggests that the saint may have been killed while helping persecuted Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were tortured. Gradually, Saint Valentine became so popular that couples all over the world began to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a day of love.
What to do on Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day originated in Europe but is now celebrated in many places, from Asia to America and Africa. As early as the end of the previous year, the Valentine’s Day market worldwide has started to kick off. The industry serving Valentine’s Day quickly prospered. Countless roses, greeting cards, and various types of candies are sold in the market.
Valentine’s Day Traditions Worldwide
Explore interesting Valentine’s Day traditions around the world. It’s not all about flowers and chocolates worldwide on this day. Different countries celebrate it in their own unique ways. Scroll down to find out more!
1. Argentina – Sweet Week
In Argentina, they don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day in February, but they have a Sweet Week in July. It’s a day when lovers exchange kisses and give each other chocolates and other sweets. In the country, the day actually started as a commercial invention but later became a Valentine’s tradition.
2. France – Epicenter Of Romance
It is believed that the first Valentine’s Day card originated from France, when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent a love letter to his wife from prison in 1415. And the French village named Valentine Valentine, becomes a romantic hub between February 12 and 14. One can see the courtyards, trees, and beautiful houses decorated with love cards, roses, and marriage proposals. It is perhaps the most beautiful Valentine’s Day tradition in the world.
3. South Korea – For a Unique Experience
Romantic couples in South Korea celebrate their love on the 14th of every month. Yes, you read it right! The day of roses Festival is held in May, the day of kisses in June, the day of hugs in December, and singles celebrate Black Day in April by eating black noodles. It is a completely different Valentine’s Day tradition around the world.
4. Philippines – A Gala Event
In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is a time when many young couples get married in an event sponsored by the government as a form of public service. Among the most wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrations worldwide, this is a domestic event and a special day for the youth.
5. Ghana – National Chocolate Day
In Ghana, February 14th is celebrated as National Chocolate Day. This was a step taken by the Ghanaian government in 2007 to boost tourism in the country. Ghana is one of the largest cocoa producers in the world. On February 14th, one can attend performances, music events, and restaurants with themed menus for the special day.
6. Bulgaria – Winemakers Day
Like any other country, Bulgaria commemorates Valentine’s Day in its own style. On February 14th, San Trifon Zartan is celebrated in Bulgaria, meaning the day of winemakers. Young and old couples celebrate their love with a glass of excellent local wine.
7. Wales – St. Dwynwen’s Day
In Wales, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in a unique way. The country commemorates the day of love on January 25th, known as St. Dwynwen’s Day. On this day, lovers exchange unique and beautiful handcrafted wooden spoons. This tradition has been carried out since the 16th century.
8. Spain – Feast of Saint Dionysus
Valentine’s Day in Valencia, Spain falls on October 9th. This is known as the Feast of Saint Dionysus. The festival is celebrated in most regions of Spain by creating ‘macadora’, a marzipan figure. Small figures are created by men to give to their female companions. Colorful parades can also be witnessed on the streets of villages in Spain.
9. Southwest China – Sisters’ Meal Festival
In Miao, Southwest China, the Sisters’ Meal Festival is held on March 15th. During the festival, women wear silver accessories and beautiful dresses, perhaps the most beautiful Valentine’s Day custom in the world. They cook various colored rice dishes provided on silk for young men passing by. The fate of the lovelorn inside the chosen rice is found. Two chopsticks symbolize love and a clove of garlic symbolizes love that has ended before it began.
10. Denmark – Celebrating Love
Although Valentine’s Day is a relatively new festival in Denmark, the country also commemorates love and romance on February 14 with a twist. In Denmark, Valentine’s Day is not limited to roses and chocolates. Friends and lovers exchange handmade cards with pressed white flowers called snowdrops.
11. Romania – A Unique Celebration
If you are looking for a very romantic and unusual celebration on Valentine’s Day around the world, Romania will not disappoint you. The day celebrated on February 24 is the day when young engaged couples get together. It is basically a mix of Valentine’s Day and a spring celebration. Young men and women go into the woods to pick colorful flowers, while other couples wash their faces with snow as a sign of luck.
12. Estonia – Festival for Everyone
On February 14, Estonia celebrates Friendship Day called Sobrapaev. This wonderful festival includes everyone, from single couples to families. So, not only couples, but family members and friends also exchange gifts and celebrate love.
13. Japan – Unique Gift Exchange
Japan does things quite differently. It is held on February 14 and women buy gifts and chocolates for their companions or lovers. Men cannot reciprocate gifts until March 14, known as White Day.
14. Czech Republic – Romantic Memories
In the Czech Republic, Valentine’s Day has become quite popular among young people. The festival is celebrated on May 1 nationwide. On this day, young couples go on a pilgrimage to the statue of poet Karol Hynek Macha and kiss under the cherry trees for good luck.
15. Brazil – Lover’s Day
The Dia Dia Namorados festival, also known as Lovers’ Day, is celebrated in Brazil. There is a common exchange of chocolates, cards, flowers, and one can witness music festivals and dance performances. Gift-giving is not limited to couples in the festival, family dinners are common on this day.
16. England – Festival of Romantic Love
On Valentine’s Day in England, women traditionally place five bay leaves on their pillows. This is done with the intention of bringing dreams of their future husbands. In Norfolk, Jack Valentine acts as a Santa Claus for Valentine’s Day. Children eagerly await Jack Valentine, although they do not get to meet him.
17. Italy – Popular Day for Couples
The Italians originally celebrated Valentine’s Day as their spring festival. Another Italian Valentine’s Day tradition is for young unmarried couples to wake up before dawn to discover their future husbands. Today, Italians celebrate by exchanging gifts between lovers and having romantic dinners.
18. Slovenia – Show Your Affection
In Slovenia, St. Valentine is one of the patron saints of spring. It is believed that on February 14, plants begin to regenerate as it marks the first day of work in the fields for the new year. There is another common belief that birds ‘propose’ to each other on this day. To witness this occasion, one must walk barefoot across still-frozen fields.
19.Valentine in Singapore – Lantern Festival
In Singapore, Valentine’s Day is observed from February 14 to February 20, and if it falls on the Lunar New Year, it will be celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The Valentine’s Day celebration will adopt the Chinese Lantern Festival as the official night of the festival. During this event, couples go to the Buddha temple to light lanterns, burn incense for prayers, and make promises to each other.
20. Valentine in Africa
In South Africa, this festival takes place throughout February. All single men and women gather to perform the Mbukale Btigo ceremony (Love each other’s hearts). This is a collective engagement day according to their traditional customs.
21.Valentine in Thailand
In Thailand, on the 7th and 8th of February, there is a festival called the Flower Festival. On this day, young men and women bring flowers to the Buddhist temple, then release them into the river. If the flower of one girl drifts to the flower of another boy, it is believed that they are destined to be together.
22. Valentine in Vietnam
In Vietnam, Valentine’s Day has gained more attention in recent years. It is a special occasion for young people to express their feelings for each other with sweet and meaningful gifts.
Whether you are single or in a relationship, the centuries-old tradition of Valentine’s Day celebrated worldwide to commemorate love and friendship will bring something for everyone to enjoy. So, pack up and plan your holiday right away!
Frequently Asked Questions about Valentine’s Day Traditions Worldwide
Q. What are some common Valentine’s Day traditions?
A. Some common Valentine’s Day traditions include exchanging gifts like roses or chocolates, and a romantic evening or dinner. School children often exchange valentine cards that may contain chocolates.
Q. How do different countries celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Gifting is a common sight on Valentine’s Day in India. In other countries, like married couples in Bulgaria celebrate their love with a local wine glass, while in Wales, they exchange specially crafted wooden spoons. The celebration of Valentine’s Day around the world takes place in different ways reflecting local ideas about love.
Q. Is Valentine’s Day celebrated worldwide?
A. Yes, Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide regardless of its origin. February 14 marks a unique style of celebrating love across the globe.
Q. How many countries celebrate Valentine’s Day?
A. Many countries celebrate Valentine’s Day with joy and laughter. February is truly the month of romance.
Q. Who started the Valentine’s Day tradition?
A. The history of Valentine’s Day and the story of Saint Valentine are shrouded in mystery. However, there are very few stories related to its origins.
Q. Do they celebrate Valentine’s Day in Italy?
A. Valentine’s Day in Italy was traditionally celebrated as their spring festival. Today, they celebrate by exchanging gifts and having romantic dates with their loved ones.
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