BLOGGING THE VIEW: 7 Fascinating Valentine’s Day traditions around the world

WHILE many view Valentine’s Day as a commercialised celebration, it’s still an important day for connection around the world, with countries enjoying unique traditions on 14 February.

Rather than just the exchanging of cards, flowers and chocolates that we’ve come to know, Valentine’s Day takes on many different forms from nation to nation. Let’s take a journey across the globe and see what everyone’s doing this year.

1. South Africa: Love notes on sleeves
Although not practiced today, one ancient Valentine’s Day tradition that originated in Roman times and was celebrated in South Africa was wearing your heart on your sleeve – literally. Women would pin the name of their loved ones on their clothing to publicly declare their love.

2. Japan: Women take the lead
Generally, men are relied upon to make the first move, but on Valentine’s Day in Japan, it’s all up to the women. They give chocolates to the men, but each chocolate has a different meaning:
· Giri-choco (obligation chocolate) – for friends and colleagues
· Honmei-choco (true love chocolate) – for that special someone
The following month, on 14 March (White Day), men then get to return the favour with extravagant gifts.

3. Denmark: Love letters with a twist
The Danish exchange pressed white flowers (snowdrops) as well as a humorous and poetic love letter known as a gaekkebrev. The sender writes a rhyme anonymously with dots in place of the letters of their name. If the recipient guesses correctly, they get an Easter egg from the sender that year.

4. South Korea: Three months of love
South Koreans take Valentine’s Day very seriously, and it continues for some time! On Valentine’s Day, the women give chocolates to men, and the men return the gesture with a gift on 14 March (as is done in Japan). However, South Korea takes it a step further with Black Day on 14 April, which is when single people get together to eat jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) to celebrate their single life or lament their lack of romance.

5. Wales: Love spoons instead of roses
The Welsh celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day on 25 January rather than 14 February, where lovers exchange wooden spoons. Dating back to the 17th century, this tradition sees people intricately carve symbols on wooden spoons – keys for security, wheels for a strong relationship, and (obviously) hearts for love.

6. The Philippines: Mass weddings
Every Valentine’s Day, thousands of couples in the Philippines get married during mass weddings sponsored by the government. This large-scale ceremony is a cost-effective way for couples to get married, and to celebrate love as a nation.

7. Brazil: Valentine’s in June
Just like the Welsh, the Brazilians don’t celebrate love on 14 February, but rather on Dia dos Namorados (Lovers’ Day) on 12 June. This includes exchanging gifts with romantic dinner and dancing, but it also celebrates the love of families rather than just romantic love.

However it’s spent, Valentine’s Day is effectively a day of love, so show someone you care today with chocolates, flowers, or even wooden spoons!

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