How Valentine's Day is Celebrated Around the World

With February 14th approaching, it is almost impossible to avoid symbols of love all around. From cute teddy bears to heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, to the red, pink, and white decorations that can be seen on every building, this time of year is festive and a reminder of a special someone. As love and loving are universal, the idea of a holiday celebrating the love you have for another is a concept the whole world can get behind.

South Africa

In South Africa, the idiom “wear your heart on your sleeve” is taken quite literally on Valentine’s Day. Individuals celebrate the holiday by pinning paper hearts to the sleeve of their clothes with the name of their admirer written on the heart. This is done with the hope that their admirer will notice and reciprocate similar feelings. This custom is often associated as a nod to Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival focused on fertility. 

China

The Qixi Festival, also known as Double Seventh Festival, is China’s Valentine’s Day. The Qixi Festival, which occurs on the seventh day on the seventh lunar month of the year, is based on a Chinese legend of the cowherd, Niulandi, and weaver fairy, Zhinu. Niulang and Zhinu fell in love and got married but without the approval of Zhinu’s mother, the goddess of heaven. When Zhinu’s mother found that her daughter had married a mortal she separated them. Eventually, the goddess of heaven was so moved by Niulang’s and Zhinu’s love for one another she allowed the couple to see each other one day a year amongst the stars, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Double Seventh Festival is celebrated by giving flowers, chocolates, and presents to their partners but some continue to participate in the traditional customs such as heading to the temples to pray for happiness and watching the starts to commemorate the reunion of Niulang and Zhinu. 

Wales

Saint Dwynwen’s day is the equivalent of Valentine’s day in Wales. Saint Dwynwen is a Welsh princess who was so unlucky with finding love she became a nun and dedicated part of her life to praying for others to have better luck finding love than she did and therefore became known as the patron saint of love. On this day, lovers exchange cards and gifts and make time for the ones they love. A tradition specific to Wales that goes as far as the early 17th century is the exchange of love spoons. These spoons, made from a single piece of wood, are specially carved with symbols used to express certain meanings, as a token of one’s love.  

South Korea

In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is a widely popular holiday celebrated from February to April. On February 14, women give their partner chocolate to show their love and affection. A month later on March 14, “White Day,” men give their partners flowers and gifts. The name White Day comes from the giving of primarily white gifts (such as white chocolate). April 14, “Black Day,” is a holiday for the singles that did not receive a gift on Valentine’s Day or White Day. On this day, single friends will get together and eat Jjajyangmyeon, black noodles.

Brazil

Dia dos Namorados (“Lovers’ Day”) is celebrated on June 12th because of how close it is to Saint Anthony’s Day. Saint Anthony is believed to bless couples with prosperous marriages. The day is very festive in Brazil, celebrated through colorful street decorations and parades and the exchange of gifts, chocolates, and flowers, and by spending quality time with one’s romantic partner.

Estonia

In Estonia February 14th - ‘Sõbrapäev’ – is a holiday not just about lovers, but a festival that celebrates friendship. Cards and gifts express that a person values the friendship, and family members exchange gifts too!

Bulgaria

Interestingly, in Bulgaria, February 14th overlaps with an old Orthodox holiday called St. Trifon Zarezan. The holiday celebrates St. Trifon, the patron saint of vineyards and winemakers. Traditionally, men would take food and a jar of wine to the vineyard where they perform a fertility rite by pouring some wine in the ground. Nowadays, many Bulgarians would celebrate both St. Valentine’s Day and St. Trifon Zarezan with a tour to the vineyards, or by simply enjoying a glass of locally produced wine.

Thank you to International Program Intern Ruth Elendu for researching and writing this article.