Valentine’s Day Traditions Around The World

Japan

Women Are The Ones Who Give Chocolates To Men On February 14.

There are special kinds of inexpensive giri choco, or “obligation chocolate,” that they give to their platonic friends to let them know where they stand. Then on March 14, or “White Day,” men up the ante and shower women with even fancier gifts and chocolate.

Korea

One of South Korea’s Valentine’s Day traditions is similar to Japan’s, except they follow it up with “Black Day” on April 14, which is basically a delicious pity party for single people who want to eat their feelings. Uncoupled people wear black and eat a black noodle dish called jajangmyeon.

India

Some nationalist Hindu groups also protest Valentine’s Day traditions and celebrations and the influence of Western culture in India.

Verona, Italy

According to legend, one of the martyred Valentines secretly wed couples in defiance of a Roman Emperor’s orders not to marry anyone during wartime. Today, there’s a four-day festival in Verona that celebrates love with heart-shaped lanterns and a letter-writing contest to Juliet.

Manila

Valentine’s Day is a hugely popular day to get married in the Philippines, but luckily couples don’t have to compete for venue space. They just hold mass wedding ceremonies instead, where couples gather in public spaces to get married or renew their vows.

South Africa

Women carry on the Lupercalian tradition by literally wearing their heart on their sleeves, or by pinning the name of their love interest to their shirts.