Valentine Traditions Around the World
Things you might not have known about this hallmark holiday…
In Japan, Valentine’s Day is all about women spoiling their men, mainly with chocolates. However, since the 1980’s, men now reciprocate their feelings on White Day (March 14th) with lingerie, jewellery and chocolates…
In Norway and Denmark, men write anonymous rhyming love notes or poems and women have to guess from clues who their secret admirer is…
Latin Americans take a more platonic approach and celebrate friendship on Feb 14th. Everyone gets roses and candy, and the holiday accentuates life-long relationships…
In Slovenia, there is a proverb that “St Valentine brings the keys to roots.” In the agricultural community, Feb 14th is an auspicious day to start working in the vineyards and fields…
The Welsh celebrate Valentine’s Day on Jan 25th based on a 5th century legend. It is customary for men to give ladies a spoon as a gift, a tradition that originated among sailors…
In France, a once popular tradition (now banned) was called “une loterie d’amour.” Single men and women went into houses and would call out to each other until they were paired off. If the men didn’t like their match, they would leave the woman for another man to call! The women who didn’t get matched gathered around a ceremonial bonfire tossing pictures of the men who rejected them. It is said that the saying “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” originated from this tradition…
Romantic or not, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful excuse to spoil someone you love. Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone, no matter how you celebrate!
