By Isabella Diaz
Valentine’s Day, a well known holiday in the U.S., is celebrated in many other parts of the world. However, not every place celebrates it in the same way. Different cultures and countries celebrate this holiday in their own unique way. Let’s take a look at how these places make this holiday special for them.
In the U.S., Valentine’s Day is a big occasion. Gifts like chocolates, flowers, and cards, are given and received. People go on dates. Kids in school give and receive cards and candy. Not only romantic love but also the platonic love between friends and the familial love within family circles are celebrated on this day.
In Japan, Valentine’s Day is all about chocolate, but here’s the twist: women are the ones who give chocolates to men. There are two types of chocolates: giri choco for friends, coworkers, and bosses, and honmei choco for someone special, like a boyfriend or husband. But it doesn’t stop here! A month later, on March 14, Japan celebrates “White Day,” when men return the favor by giving gifts to the women.
Valentine’s Day in South Korea is a lot like it is in Japan. The women give gifts to the men in their lives on February 14th. Then, men return the favor on White Day. But, South Koreans also celebrate “Black Day” on April 14th, a not so secret occasion for single people across South Korea to bemoan their relationship status while downing bowls of jajangmyeon, a black noodle dish.
In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is called El Día del Amor y la Amistad (The Day of Love and Friendship). It isn’t just about romantic partners. Friends exchange gifts and express sweet sentiments, too. Lots of couples will give roses, chocolates, or written declarations of love, and the streets are filled with a certain kind of happy energy.
Often referred to as the “romance capital” of the world, France is a place where Valentine’s Day holds a lot of popularity. The people of France embrace the holiday in a special way. They exchange not only the flowers and chocolates that we typically associate with Valentine’s Day, but also something called les cartes d’amour. These are more than just notes, they are declarations of love. It’s not a day just for the young or the newly coupled, but instead love is recognized on this day across generations.
In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is very significant because it is a day when many pairs of people get married, not just in the typical small scale, intimate ceremonies that we often associate with weddings, but in huge, public events. For some reason, it seems February 14th is favored by a lot of people who decide to make their unions official.
The people of Denmark celebrate Valentine’s Day in a very sweet and fun way. Instead of roses, the most popular flower associated with Valentine’s Day, they give their loved ones snowdrops, which are beautiful white downturned flowers. The men also send gækkebrev, which are poems or little jokes to women. The sender will send his name with dots, and if the woman can guess who sent it she gets an Easter egg later in the year.
In Brazil, instead of Valentine’s Day, they call it Dia dos Namorados, which means Lover’s Day. Instead of February 14th, it is on June 12th. On this day, couples and friends exchange things like flowers, letters and chocolates. There is also music, dancing, and celebrations. June 12th is close to another holiday they celebrate honoring Saint Anthony, who is the patron saint of marriage.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated very differently around the world, and whether it’s hosting a big wedding in the Philippines, giving snowdrops in Denmark, or chocolate in Japan, people find a way to show their love. No matter where you are or how you celebrate, there is love in the air and appreciation for the people we care about connected to this holiday.
beniciapaw.com 