Valentine’s Day is celebrated in unique ways across the world. So, this week I thought it would be cool to look at all of the different Valentine’s Day Traditions across the world!
The United States
Here, In the United States, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with romantic gestures of all sizes, gifts, and outward expressions of love. Typically couples exchange chocolates, flowers, and heartfelt cards. Most restaurants and entertainment businesses offer special deals for romantic dinners and activities. Other businesses host special events, such as a Latte making class. School-aged children also spend het day exchanging valentines and candies with their classmates. Current celebrations are shifting towards more creative and homemade gift ideas, such as personalized items, experiences, and weekend getaways.
Europe
The United Kingdom
In the UK, Valentine’s Day is a dedicated time for those in relationships to express their affection and love through gestures such as cards, flowers, and romantic gestures. Similar to the U.S. lots of restaurants have Valentine’s Day menus that showcase yummy dishes and high-brow wines.
France
In France, often thought of as the epicenter of romance, Valentine’s Day is a massive celebration. Those in relationships, exchange cartes d’amour (love letters) and often eat at a candlelit restaurant, whether it is a quaint bistro or a Michelin-starred restaurant. The city of Paris, aka the city of love, with its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral, becomes even more magical on Valentine’s Day, drawing couples from all over the world.
Germany
In Germany, Valentine’s Day is called Valentinswoche, which is a week-long celebration preceding Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Throughout this week, couples exchange small gifts symbolizing their love and appreciation for their partner. All of these gifts demonstrate their love through thoughtful gestures and acts of service, solidify couples’ love for each other.
Italy
Italy is a country known for its romantic flair. Common Valentine’s activities include going on romantic gondola rides along the canal, enjoying gelato, and visiting iconic landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain and the Ponte Vecchio. One of Italy’s most popular Valentine’s Day traditions involves “Baci Perugina,” a chocolate-covered hazelnut. This is kind of like a chocolate version of a fortune cookie. Inside the chocolate-covered hazelnuts is a love-letter/note. These little notes are typically romantic messages or quotes about love. If you ask me, these sound absolutely delicious, who doesn’t love chocolate covered hazelnuts??
Wales
Wales has a unique Valentine’s Day tradition. In Wales couples exchange intricately carved wooden spoons, known as Lovespoons. These spoons are often carved with symbols such as hearts, keys and locks, which represent one’s love and commitment to each other. Historically, a young man would spend hours carving elaborate Lovespoons and offer it to his partner and hope they would accept it.
Estonia
Estonia views Valentine’s Day as a celebration of love and friendship. Actually, it commonly refers to Valentine’s Day as Friend’s Day, encouraging everyone to show appreciation for their friends and loved ones. Personally, I am in complete agreement with Estonia, and agree that Valentine’s Day should emphasize the importance of all relationships not just romantic relationships.
Asia
Philippines
This is one of the coolest, most unique Valentine’s Day traditions around the world if you ask me. In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is a popular day for couples to get married during mass wedding ceremonies. In these ceremonies, couples who might not be able to afford a traditional wedding are able to celebrate their love in a meaningful way. The mass weddings are often sponsored by the local government, non-profit organizations, or private institutions. This removes the financial barrier and allows everyone to celebrate their love together, bringing the community together.
South Korea
South Korea has two holidays directly tied to Valentine’s Day. On their Valentine’s Day, women gift men chocolates. One month after is White Day on which men reciprocate the gesture and give their women gifts often including chocolates, flowers, or any other token of appreciation. Then, one month later on April 14th is Black Day. This is a holiday dedicated to single people, who gather and eat Jajangmyeon, which is a black bean paste noodle dish.
Japan
In Japan, the main form of celebrating Valentine’s Day is women gifting chocolates to men. There are two different types of chocolate that get gifted. The first is for romantic partners or where romantic feelings are present, honmei-choco. The second is for friends, colleagues and family members giri-choco, which are chocolates gifted out of appreciation or politeness.
China
The Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day is the Qixi Festival. This is celebrated on the seventh ay of the seventh lunar month, which is August 10, 2024. This festival is based upon the annual meeting of Zhinü and Niulang in Chinese mythology. To celebrate, couples often exchange gifts, go on elaborate romantic dates, and express their love for one another.
India
Valentine’s Day is not typically celebrated in Indian culture, although amongst younger generations it is picking up popularity. Some couples embrace the holiday as a means to show their love and affection for their partner.
Thailand
In Thailand, Valentine’s Day coincides with Makha Bucha, commemorating the day when 1250 monks spontaneously gathered to hear Buddha preach. This holiday is celebrated by releasing lanterns into the sky or floating candles down the river to symbolize love and good fortune.
Latin America
Brazil
In Brazil, Valentine’s Day is known as Dia dos Namorados, which translates to Lovers’ Day. This celebration does not take place on February 14th but rather on June 12th. For Día dos Namorados, couples spend the day together and exchange chocolates, flowers, and other meaningful gifts. Additionally, the houses and streets are decorated. This holiday is not just for those in relationships. In Brazil, if you are single there are many rituals you can perform, here are three:
- For more passion: you mix a glass of water and coffee powder and leave it untouched for three days and dispose of it on the fourth day.
- If you want to forget old love you place two sprigs of fennel in a glass with water and leave it alone for 3 days after which you empty it into your garden of a flowerpot.
- If you want to get rid of envious feelings towards those in relationships, you add coarse salt and brown sugar to a full water bottle and after the third day you empty the water in the shape of a cross in front of your house.
For more information about the Simpatias and traditions, read here!
Mexico
In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is known as El Día del Amor y la Amistad, which translates to The Day of Love and Friendship. Like Estonia, in Mexico, El Día del Amor y la Amistad is a celebration of both romantic and platonic love. People exchange gifts, flowers, and cards with loved ones, and restaurants have special offers and manus. In some communities, there are parades, concerts, and other public events to mark the occasion.
Argentina
In Argentina, Valentine’s Day is celebrated as part of Semana de la Dulzura, which translates to sweetness week. During this week, which typically takes place in July, people exchange candies, chocolates, and other treats with their loved ones. This week is used to show your appreciation for friends, family and romantic partners.
Colombia
Columbia celebrates El Día del Amor y la Amistad. A day to celebrate your love and appreciation for all of you friends, family, and romantic partners. Columbian cities are adorned with heart-shaped decorations. Often there are other concerts, festivals, or events to celebrate El Día del Amor y Amistad.
Peru
In Peru, Valentine’s Day is known as El Día del Amor, which directly translates to Day of Love. On this day, couples celebrate their love with romantic gestures of varying sizes, such as exchanging gifts and dining out. And cities are decorated with flowers and heart-shaped balloons, generating an overall excitement and enthusiasm for the El Día del Amor
Africa
South Africa
In South Africa, couples often spend Valentine’s Day going on romantic adventures, like going on a picnic or having dinner at a classy restaurant. Some people even go on hot balloon rides or on wine tasting tours in the Cape Winelands.
Nigeria
In Nigeria, Valentine’s Day is celebrated through music, dance, and poetry. Lots of people gather at parties, concerts, and cultural events to show their love and appreciation through song, dance, and spoken performances.
Ghana
In Ghana, Valentine’s Day is known as Red and White Day. On this day, people dress in red and white and exchange gifts and cards. Many schools and workplaces host special events and activities to celebrate Red and White day, creating a festive atmosphere surrounding the holiday.
Kenya
In Kenya, the Maasai community celebrates their love on Valentine’s day through the exchange of traditional gifts, such as beaded jewelry and clothing with intricate patterns and symbols. Traditional ceremonies and rituals can take place on Valentine’s Day that bless newlywed couples and reaffirm love and commitment within the community.
Egypt
In Egypt, Valentine’s Day is commonly celebrated with a romantic cruise along the Nile River. On the cruise, couples get to enjoy the spectacular views of ancient temples and monuments. As well as consume delicious food and watch live entertainment.
To Conclude
There are so many different Valentine’s Day traditions around the world. While writing this blog post, I loved seeing the similarities in how Valentine’s Day is celebrated across the world, but also the differentiations. I personally, think that Valentine’s Day should be used to celebrate all forms of love, platonic and romantic, and so it was really cool seeing that South Korea has its own holiday specifically for friendships. And I thought that Wales’s tradition of Lovespoons was really cool and far more meaningful than buying cheap flowers and stuffed animals. And the Phillippines’s tradition of mass weddings is something I never knew about, but an brilliant idea that truly brings the community together.
The way we celebrate Valentine’s Day around the world will continue to evolve as the digital era continues, but it is super valuable to take a step back and appreciate who is around you in a meaningful way. And hey, the digital world means that now you are able to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family, friends, and romantic partners even if you are not physically in the same state.
If you want to read about 33 unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, you can do so here!
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