Valentine’s Day leaves no one indifferent, and is firmly rooted in our customs. But what about the rest of the world? Is the rose in honor everywhere on February 14? Valentine’s Day traditions vary from country to country. Here’s how lovers’ day is celebrated around the world.
Valentine’s Day in the USA: a $20 billion business
Every year, Americans spend $20 billion on candy, cards, chocolates, flowers and jewelry. Greeting cards are the most common gift, but not only among couples. Parents, friends and students also give each other cards containing little words of friendship, affection and appreciation.
Valentine’s Day in Japan: women give gifts
The birth of Valentine’s Day dates back to the aftermath of the Second World War, when confectionery manufacturers came up with the idea of making February 14th a day for women to give chocolates. Half a century later, the tradition is well established. On Valentine’s Day, millions of Japanese women offer pralines or ganaches as a sign of affection, friendship or professional respect, with very precise codes. Giri-choko”, chocolates of obligation, are reserved for colleagues and bosses. Honmi-choko”, premium chocolates, are a sign of “true love”.
Valentine’s Day in Korea: a celebration for couples and singles alike
This is also the Japanese custom described above. But in this country, there is also a bachelor’s holiday, celebrated on April 14th. It’s called Black Day, because bachelors gather to eat black noodles!
Valentine’s Day in the Philippines: kissing at midnight
As in many other countries, flowers and chocolates are the gifts of choice for all lovers. The best-known Valentine’s Day event in the Philippines is “dovapalooza”. Thousands of couples gather on the shores of Manila Bay and, at midnight, kiss and hold each other’s lips for several seconds. In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is also an opportunity for many couples to get married for free by taking advantage of the “mass weddings” organized by certain churches and various government agencies.
Valentine’s Day in Denmark: Easter Day
Valentine’s Day is not celebrated on February 14, but at Easter. This holiday is celebrated in the form of a game: Gaekkebrev (good letters). The aim is simple: those who wish to do so write a love letter to the person of their choice, but to sign the card, they put one dot for each letter of their first name. The person who receives the card has to guess who sent it, and if they guess right, they get an Easter egg!
Valentine’s Day in Thailand: getting married
Valentine’s Day is a very important holiday for the locals. The symbolic red rose is set aside in favor of an adorable teddy bear. It’s not uncommon for couples to get married on this day, which the Thai consider to be a lucky day. Bang-Rak, a district of Bangkok whose name translates as “the district of love”, sees a large number of couples on February 14th. Some even queue up to make their union official. Singles go to the Trimurati temple to pray for love.
Valentine’s Day in Brazil: in June!
As in Colombia and Mexico, Valentine’s Day is not celebrated on February 14. Brazilians follow the Portuguese tradition of celebrating St. Anthony of Padua, patron saint and protector of loving souls. So it’s on June 12, “Lover’s Day”, that Brazilians declare their love for each other with little gifts. In Brazil, Lovers’ Day is just one more reason to celebrate!
In China: Chinese Valentine’s Day
Chinese Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Also known as the Qixi Festival (“evening of the Festival of Seven”), this unique celebration of love is deeply rooted in Chinese folklore and is based on the romantic legend of Zhinu and Niulang. On this famous night, the single or newly-wed women of each house go out into the courtyard to hang a garland of flowers. They then make an offering to the fairy and her husband, consisting of fruit, flowers, tea and rice powder.
Valentine’s Day in Vietnam: the longest kiss
For Valentine’s Day, the small town of Hai Phong came up with the idea of organizing a contest for the longest kiss. Every year, around a hundred participants flock to the Viêt-Tiep Cultural and Friendship Palace to compete for the coveted title. “Ngày Gần Tinh Nhan” is a relatively recent festival in Vietnam. Traditionally, it is the men who present their beloved with a bouquet of roses.
Valentine’s Day in India: family first!
In India, love is quite secret and forbidden before marriage, so Valentine’s Day doesn’t have the same significance. While the younger generations are beginning to dare to celebrate this romantic holiday as a couple, many Indians generally spend Valentine’s Day with their families. Valentine’s Day is seen more as a convivial moment with loved ones, rather than a commercial holiday as it is in many other countries.
Would you like to celebrate Valentine’s Day in one of these countries? Remember to take out travel insurance to make the most of your stay with your other half!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
