Shahroze Rauf | Assistant News Editor
Featured image courtesy of Pexels
The history of Valentine’s Day is a marred mess of inconsistent historical recordings surrounding a Christian saint named St. Valentine. Some say he married soldiers who were forbidden from marriage, some say he was persecuted by the Roman Emperor for his beliefs.
The most popularly held belief is based on the Catholic Church’s recognition of three different saints named Valentine—all alleged martyrs.
“There are stories about how this Valentine did things from helping Christians escape persecution by the Roman Empire, to even falling in love with a jailor’s daughter and sending her letters signed ‘From your Valentine’—essentially coining a phrase that is popularly used today,” says fourth-year history student Olivia White.
Other sources suggest pagan roots to Valentine’s Day, relating the day of love to a celebration called Lupercalia, usually celebrated around February 15 as a festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus, as well as the first emperors of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
Nonetheless, whether the roots are pagan or Christian, this day of pink and red survived long enough for it to be celebrated by couples all around the globe. From symbols of love to lamenting solitude, each culture has developed their own specific way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
BRAZIL
Rather than celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14, Brazil celebrates what is called Dia dos Namorados, known as Lover’s Day in English, on June 12, right before St. Anthony’s Day. Families, friends, and lovers spend the day in each other’s company amid celebrations and gatherings with ample food and festivities. During the night, clubs and bars are open for couples and singles alike to enjoy the Brazilian nightlife.
CHINA
In China, the closest thing they have to Valentine’s Day is what’s called the Qixi Festival or the Qiqiao Festival, which commemorates the meeting of the cowherd, represented by the star Vega, and the weaver girl, represented by the star Altair, in Chinese folklore. The story follows two lovers, one a cow-herd and the other the Emperor’s daughter, who are forced apart and only allowed to reunite on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Around this time, couples will go to temples and pray as the two stars Vega and Altair pass by one another.
DENMARK
One popular Valentine’s Day tradition in Denmark is known as Gaekkebrev, which translates roughly to “joke letters.” A tradition from the 18th century, it calls for a secret admirer to write an original rhyme or poem on a paper cut with dainty designs. From there, the note is occasionally adorned with snowdrop flowers and signed by the sender with only dots—one for each letter in the sender’s name. Then the job of the receiver is to guess who gifted them the poem. If they guess correctly, they are awarded a confectionary egg on Easter Sunday.
FRANCE
Infamous for being perhaps one of the most romantic countries in the world, Valentine’s Day is celebrated across the country in France. But perhaps one of the most bizarre traditions that France practised was called the loterie d’amour, the “drawing for love.” In this event, men would fill a house and women would fill another one, both houses facing one another. Then the two groups of people would call out to one another and pair up. If the men were not satisfied with their match, they would go off to find someone else. The women left behind would then attend a bonfire where they would burn pictures of men and yell obscenities at the opposite sex. However, the event got so out of hand that the government had to ban it altogether.
“I’m happy this tradition no longer exists,” says fourth-year professional writing student, Bianca Mazziotti. “Women can’t enjoy this holiday unless they are chosen by a man, and when they aren’t chosen, they are taught unhealthy ways of coping with rejection. Banning this toxic tradition was the right choice.”
GHANA
In an attempt to boost tourism in the country, Ghana recognizes Valentine’s Day as National Chocolate Day. The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare explains that National Chocolate day was a way to promote chocolate sales within the country, as the cocoa industry is a large part of Ghana’s economy.
JAPAN
Valentine’s Day in Japan focuses mainly on the act of girls giving the object of their love chocolates. In Japan, there are two types of chocolates someone can receive: giri-choco or “obligation chocolate” and honmei-choco or “true-feeling chocolate.” Giri-choco are often meant for coworkers or classmates, whereas honmei-choco are meant for boyfriends, husbands, lovers, and crushes. People who wish to give honmei-choco will often make those chocolates by hand. In Japan, the chocolate industry practically explodes during Valentine’s Day as chocolate-giving is huge around this time.
MEXICO
Valentine’s Day in Mexico is known as El Día del Amor y la Amistad—the day of friendship and love. Interestingly enough, romantic love is not the only type of companionship celebrated on this day in Mexico. Presents are exchanged between partners and lovers, but also between friends and family members. Celebrating love is huge in Mexico, despite the fact that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have any cultural or historical significance to most Mexicans.
“I love the idea of celebrating all relationships on Valentine’s Day, including friendships,” Madelaine Pries, fourth-year English and professional writing student, says. “My roommates and I are planning a little ‘galentines’ celebration this year, and I am so excited to just love and appreciate the wonderful friends I have!”
SCOTTLAND
Most Valentine’s Day traditions in Scotland are quiet and small. From the simple exchanging of cards and poems to spotting the first man or woman you encounter outside—Scottish Valentine’s Day is quaint but sweet. Though celebrations are not necessarily a huge event in Scotland, many couples like to get together romantically. Some may even participate in Scottish Valentine’s Day games where women and men are assigned partners for the night randomly by a hat and gifts are exchanged.
SOUTH AFRICA
In South Africa, the quintessential exchange of flowers, candies, and chocolates is customary. Women, and sometimes men, also pin the names of their love interests on their shirtsleeves. This is allegedly a tradition said to have been observed in Ancient Rome during Lupercalia. Couples may enjoy daytime events such as wildlife parks and outdoor sports in Cape Town and Johannesburg. As for nightlife, events are held throughout the cities with restaurants and pubs completely booked and lined with cocktails for couples to party with through the night.
SOUTH KOREA
In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is actually a three-part celebration from February to April. On February 14, it is usually women who give their significant others, the men, chocolates, candies, and flowers. But on March 14 known as White Day, it’s the men’s turn to return the favour, but also with the addition of gift. When April 14 comes along, those sad souls that have received nothing will mourn their single lives on what is called Black Day by eating bowls of jajangmyeon, which are basically black bean-paste noodles.
No matter what country you’re in, Valentine’s Day definitely brings families, friends, and lovers together. Whether it be familial love, platonic love, romantic love, or even unrequited love, the world is a funny place filled with much diversity.
“It’s really interesting to see the similarities and differences across all these countries. In a way, many of theses varied traditions have been incorporated into a larger idea of Valentine’s Day: chocolates, cards, poems or love letters, spending time with those you love, and going out to celebrate your love. It’s all part of Valentine’s Day and it’s really cool to see where some of the ideas traditionally came from,” Karley Lamb, fourth-year professional writing student, says.
So, this Valentine’s Day, maybe surprise whoever you want with one these fun traditions. And who knows, if you’re single, maybe you’ll get something this year. If not, Koreatown probably has a jajangmyeon place for you and your friends.
