While Valentine's Day officially falls on February 14, it is celebrated on various dates and in unique ways across different cultures around the world.
Just like music, love has no language, no borders, and no cultural barriers. Regardless of where we are from, this is one emotion that we all understand, and that connects us all. However, while love is universal, its expression varies from place to place. And that's why different countries have their own Valentine's Day, celebrating it on different dates in unique ways.
Today - February 14th, officially recognized as Valentine's Day - let's discuss how the "Day of Love" is observed around the world.
In Wales, the Day of Love is celebrated as St. Dwynwen’s Day on January 25. The story of St Dwynwen - the Welsh patron saint of lovers (who fell deeply in love with a prince named Maelon) - is the foundation for the celebration.
Although not as commercialized as Valentine's Day, St. Dwynwen’s Day carries enormous cultural significance among locals and is celebrated with great fervor. On this day, many express their feelings with handwritten letters and cards, while couples go for dinner dates or outings. Also, a prominent tradition is men gifting women with hand-carved wooden spoons, known as the "love spoons".
St. of the Day: St. Dwynwen (5th c.)#angels
— WritingAngels (@LectorGirl85) January 25, 2020
Dwynwen translated means 'she who leads a blessed life'
In Wales, her feast is the equivalent of
St. Valentine's Day
Welsh Love Spoon (traditional gift)
From The Lovespoon Workshop, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire pic.twitter.com/mOshfje3dW
(Credit: WritingAngels)
Valentine's Day in Japan is quite unique, and not to mention fascinating. On February 14th, women give gifts (particularly homemade chocolates) to the men in their lives - whether boyfriends, husbands or simply male friends. And men return gifts on March 14th, exactly one month after Valentine's Day, which is known as White Day.
The typical expectation here is that the gift given on White Day should be bigger or more expensive than what the woman gave on Valentine's Day. It could be chocolates, jewelry, flowers, or accessories.
In Japan, Valentine's Day is generally celebrated by women giving men chocolate and gifts.
— Quite Interesting (@qikipedia) February 16, 2020
14 March is White Day, when men "answer" this and give the women in their lives jewelry and chocolate.
(Image: mersy.) pic.twitter.com/A0GNiT5lOP
(Credit: Quite Interesting)
The period from February 14th to March 14th is a festive time in Japan where people express gratitude to each other and strengthen their bonds.
South Korea celebrates love over three months - from February 14th to April 14th.
On February 14th, Valentine's Day, there's a similar tradition to Japan, where women give gifts to men. White Day is celebrated on March 14th, when men reciprocate the gifts that they received a month earlier. Also, romantic dates and public displays of affection are common on this day.
And the whole thing gets more interesting on April 14th, known as Black Day, when single individuals come forward to celebrate their singlehood. But rather than being a day of sadness, it's marked with fun events where single people gather and enjoy sumptuous feasts. A major tradition here is eating a Korean noodle dish (prepared with black bean sauce) together.
In South Korea, there is a day called Black Day (April 14), where single people eat noodles to lament their loneliness. This is in opposition to Valentine’s Day and White Day, the days for couples.#MythAndFact pic.twitter.com/BGYpRQ3eIj
— THE G•O•A•T (@OfficialUdiBoy) January 9, 2021
(Credit: The GOAT)
In Argentina, Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th as usual. However, Argentina takes it a step forward with a special celebration in July, during the "week of sweetness".
Celebrated from July 1st to 7th, the week of sweetness originated in 1898 by a famous candy company to increase its sales. Today, it's an annual celebration where people give sweets, chocolates, and other delicacies to each other. Well, this is just the Argentine way of celebrating love.
The significance of love goes beyond dates and traditions. The depth of emotions is what truly matters - and that's why the spirit of Valentine's Day remains the same everywhere.
