February 14th: Valentine’s Day! The day that we all know and love for its symbolic use of hearts, candy, and professions of love. But does everyone around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day the same way we do in America?
The simple answer is no. Here are some of the special ways that Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world!
Argentina
Similar to America, Argentina does celebrate the traditional Valentine’s Day on February 14th. Where they differ is that Valentine’s Day is not where their celebration of love ends. From July 1st through the 7th, Argentinians celebrate Sweetness Week. Sweetness Week is not only for romantic love, but is also for friendships and family relationships as well. The celebration began in 1989 as a result of an advertising campaign “a candy for a kiss” made by an Argentine food company named Arcor. Instead of this tradition ending when the campaign did, the people of Argentina decided to make it a holiday celebrated annually. During this week, if you kiss someone (even just on the cheek), they give you a sugary treat in return.
Korea
In Korea, Valentine’s Day is celebrated quite differently. Instead of having one day per year dedicated to celebrating love, they have a different holiday on the 14th of each of the 12 months of the year, known as “love days.” The three most notable are on February 14th, March 14th, and April 14th. On February 14th, Korea celebrates Valentine’s Day. On Valentine’s Day in Korea, women give chocolate and candy to men as a sign of their affection. Traditionally men do not give gifts on this day, but in recent years retailers have been trying to change this custom. On March 14th, Korea celebrates White Day. This day provides the opportunity for men to respond to the affection given to them the month before, and give a gift to the woman they have feelings for. Then, on April 14th, Korea celebrates Black Day. This day is for all of those who did not receive a gift on the 14th of the two months before. Traditionally, singles gather with other single friends and eat Jjajyangmyeon (Black Noodles).
Wales
Rather than celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14th, Wales celebrates St. Dwynwen’s Day on January 25th. This holiday is celebrated similarly to Valentine’s Day by giving chocolate, cards, and gifts to loved ones. Where St. Dwynwen’s Day differs from Valentine’s Day is that it is celebrating a different patron saint. Instead of St. Valentine, this day celebrates St. Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. She lived during the 5th century and was arranged to marry a prince, but instead fell in love with a local. When she told the local man she wouldn’t go against her father’s wishes and marry him, he became outraged. She ran into the forest in distress and fell asleep. In her dream, an angel appeared with a drink in each hand. The angel gave her the first drink saying it would erase her memory of the local man, but it instead froze him in a block of ice. The second drink gave her three wishes. She wished first to release the man from the block of ice, then wished for love and happiness for all the people in Wales, and finally, wished to never marry or fall in love so that she would never have to feel heartache again. All 3 wishes came true. She then devoted her life to God as a nun and started a church. Every year on January 25th, people visit the church to pray to her, to ask for strength, and to heal both broken hearts and the sick. It is also traditional on this day to give an intricately carved wooden spoon known as a “love spoon” to your lover as a symbol of love and security.
These are only a few of the different ways that Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world. Countries such as the Philippines, Bulgaria, and Spain have their own traditions as well. The one thing that all places in the world have in common is that they all have special days reserved for taking time to celebrate and appreciate the love that people have in their lives.