Every February 14th, millions of people celebrate love. But did you know that Valentine’s Day traditions look totally different around the globe?
While some buy chocolates and roses, people in Japan give friendship chocolates to coworkers.
In Wales, locals carve wooden spoons instead of exchanging cards.
This blog post shows how cultures around the world celebrate this romantic day.
From learning about unique customs that might surprise them and maybe even inspire their next celebration.
Quick Facts About Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day falls on February 14th every year. People across 100+ countries mark this date as a celebration of love and affection.
Some Quick and Interesting Facts:
- Over 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually in the U.S. alone
- Teachers receive the most cards, followed by children and mothers
- The holiday generates approximately $25 billion in spending worldwide
- Red roses account for nearly 70% of all flowers bought during this time
- Around 220,000 marriage proposals happen on February 14th each year
- The first Valentine was sent in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife
The celebration isn’t just for romantic couples anymore. Friends, family members, and even pets receive Valentine greetings today.
Why is Valentine’s Day Celebrated?
Valentine’s Day honors love and affection between people. But the story behind this celebration goes back centuries.
History of Valentine’s Day
The holiday traces back to ancient Rome and early Christian traditions. During the third century, Emperor Claudius II banned marriages for young soldiers.
He believed single men made better warriors.
A priest named Valentine defied this order. He performed secret wedding ceremonies for young couples in love.
When authorities found out, they imprisoned him. Valentine was executed on February 14th around 270 AD.
Before his death, Valentine sent a letter to the jailer’s daughter. He signed it “From your Valentine.” This phrase is still used today.
The Catholic Church later recognized Valentine as a saint. By the Middle Ages, February 14th became associated with romance.
Commercial Valentine’s Day cards appeared in the 1840s.
Historical Valentine’s Day Traditions
Valentine’s Day traditions have changed significantly over the centuries. Many old customs seem unusual by today’s standards.
Medieval and Renaissance Era
Young people in medieval England played a matchmaking game. They drew names from a bowl to find their Valentine for the year.
The chosen pair exchanged gifts and spent time together during festivals.
In the 1700s, women placed bay leaves under their pillows on February 13th. They believed this would make them dream about their future husbands.
Some also pinned five bay leaves to their pillows in a specific pattern for the same purpose.
Victorian Era Customs
The Victorians took Valentine’s Day traditions to new heights.
They created elaborate cards adorned with lace and ribbons, each with a hidden message. Some cards had moving parts or played music when opened.
Young women practiced a tradition called “love divination.” They wrote the names of potential suitors on clay balls and dropped them in water.
The first name to surface was supposedly their true love. Men sent “vinegar valentines” to women they wanted to reject.
Early American Traditions
Colonial Americans held community gatherings on February 14th. Single people participated in lotteries to find dance partners.
Some communities organized elaborate balls where couples announced engagements.
Classic Valentine’s Day Traditions
Some Valentine’s Day traditions have stood the test of time. These customs remain popular across many countries today.
Exchanging Cards and Love Notes
Greeting cards are the most common Valentine’s Day gift. Children exchange cards with classmates at school.
Adults send cards to partners, parents, and close friends
Handwritten notes add a personal touch that digital messages can’t match.
Giving Flowers
Red roses symbolize deep love and passion. A dozen roses has become the standard romantic gift. Other popular flowers include tulips, carnations, and orchids.
Each color carries different meanings:
- Red means romantic love
- Pink represents admiration and joy
- White signifies purity and innocence
- Yellow shows friendship and caring
Gifting Chocolates and Jewelries
Heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates became popular in the 1860s.
Richard Cadbury created the first decorative Valentine’s candy box.
Necklaces, bracelets, and rings show commitment and affection. Personalized items with initials or special dates add sentimental value.
Other popular gifts include perfume, stuffed animals, and photo albums filled with shared memories.
Romantic Dinners
Restaurants fill up quickly on February 14th.
Couples book special dinners weeks in advance. Candlelit meals, fancy desserts, and champagne create memorable evenings.
Many people prepare their partner’s favorite dishes as a thoughtful gesture.
Family and Friends Valentine’s Day Traditions
Valentine’s Day isn’t only for romantic partners anymore. Families and friends have created their own special ways to celebrate.
Celebrating with Children
Parents make Valentine’s Day fun for kids. They prepare special breakfasts with heart-shaped pancakes or pink smoothies.
School celebrations are a big part of childhood memories. Students exchange cards with every classmate. Teachers organize parties with themed snacks and games.
Galentine’s Day & Palentine’s Day
Women celebrate their friendships on February 13th. This tradition started in 2010 and has grown popular since then.
Similar to Galentine’s Day, Palentine’s Day celebrates platonic friendships. Friends of any gender spend time together for brunches, movie nights, or spa days.
Family Traditions
Many families create annual Valentine’s rituals. Parents give small gifts to each child. Grandparents send cards with money tucked inside.
Siblings exchange handmade crafts or favorite candies.
Some families volunteer together on this day. They deliver cards to nursing homes or bake treats for hospital staff.
Valentine’s Day Traditions Around the World
Different cultures have put their own spin on February 14th. These unique Valentine’s Day traditions showcase how love is celebrated around the world.
1. South Korea
South Korea takes Valentine’s Day celebrations to a whole new level. The country observes the holiday on multiple dates throughout the year.
February 14th – Women Give Gifts
Women buy chocolates and gifts for men. This reverses the typical Western tradition. Girlfriends give presents to boyfriends, and female coworkers gift male colleagues.
March 14th – White Day
Men return the favor exactly one month later. They give gifts that are typically more expensive than what they received. White chocolate, flowers, and jewelry are common choices.
April 14th – Black Day
Single people gather on this date. They wear black clothing and eat black noodles called jajangmyeon. It’s a lighthearted way for singles to commiserate together.
The country also celebrates additional “Days” on the 14th of each month. These include Rose Day in May and Kiss Day in June.
2. America
The United States has commercialized Valentine’s Day more than most countries. Americans spend over $25 billion annually on this celebration.
Traditional Gift Giving
Roses, chocolates, and greeting cards dominate stores in February. Jewelry stores see their second-biggest sales day of the year after Christmas.
Many couples exchange expensive gifts as tokens of love.
Classroom Celebrations
Elementary schools hold Valentine’s parties. Children bring cards for every student in their class.
This prevents anyone from feeling left out. Teachers provide themed activities, crafts, and treats.
Proposal Hotspot
More marriage proposals happen on Valentine’s Day than on any other day except Christmas Eve.
Men plan elaborate surprises at restaurants, parks, or meaningful locations.
3. Japan
Japan has one of the most interesting takes on Valentine’s Day traditions. The country blends Western customs with local culture.
Obligation Chocolate (Giri-choco)
Women give chocolate to male coworkers, bosses, and friends. This isn’t romantic; it’s a social obligation.
The chocolates are usually inexpensive, store-bought items. It maintains workplace harmony and friendships.
True Feeling Chocolate (Honmei-choco)
Women give special handmade chocolates to romantic interests. These require more effort and better ingredients. The distinction between giri-choco and honmei-choco is very important.
Friend Chocolate (Tomo-choco)
Female friends exchange chocolates with each other.
This celebrates their friendships. The tradition has grown more popular among younger generations.
White Day Follow-Up
Like South Korea, Japan celebrates White Day on March 14th. Men give return gifts worth two or three times the value they received.
4. Italy
Italy brings romance and tradition together for Valentine’s Day. The country claims Verona as the home of Romeo and Juliet.
Baci Perugina
These hazelnut chocolates wrapped in romantic quotes are extremely popular.
Couples exchange them as tokens of affection. Each wrapper contains a love note in four languages.
Lucchetto d’Amore (Love Locks)
Couples attach padlocks to bridges and throw away the keys. This symbolizes unbreakable love.
The Ponte Milvio bridge in Rome was famous for this until authorities removed the locks due to structural concerns.
Verona Love Letters
Thousands of letters addressed to Juliet arrive in Verona each year. This unique phenomenon has made Verona the world-renowned “capital of love.”
Volunteers called “Juliet’s Secretaries” respond to each letter.
5. Denmark
Danish people have subtle but sweet Valentine’s Day traditions. They focus on friendship and lighthearted fun.
Gaekkebrev (Joking Letters)
People send anonymous rhyming poems called gaekkebrev. The sender signs with dots instead of their name. Each dot represents a letter in their name. The recipient must guess who sent it.
If they guess correctly, the sender owes them an Easter egg later. If they guess wrong, they owe the sender an egg.
Low-Key Celebrations
Danes give pressed snowdrop flowers to friends and loved ones. These delicate white flowers are the first to bloom in late winter.
Denmark doesn’t commercialize the holiday as much as other countries.
Many Danes view February 14th as just another day.
6. France
France is considered one of the most romantic countries. Yet French Valentine’s Day traditions are surprisingly understated compared to American customs.
Loterie d’Amour (Drawing for Love)
A former Valentine’s Day custom, officially banned, was ‘la loterie d’amour’, translated as ‘lottery of love’.
Single men and women called to each other from opposite houses to form matches. Men could change partners if unhappy.
Women left without a match later gathered to protest, which led the French government to ban the practice.
The French government banned this practice because it became too unruly.
Valentine’s Day in Paris
The city sees an influx of tourists during this period. Couples visit the Eiffel Tower, take Seine River cruises, and stroll through Montmartre.
Local shops sell macarons in pink and red packaging.
Subtle Gift Giving
French people give flowers, particularly red roses. However, they avoid over-the-top gestures. A single perfect rose means more than a dozen average ones.
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day means something different in every corner of the globe.
From Japan’s obligation chocolates to Denmark’s guessing games, these valentine’s day traditions show that love takes many forms.
Some cultures go big with gifts and dinners. Others keep things simple and meaningful.
How will you celebrate this year? Let us know in the comments below.
