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Valentine’s Traditions Around the World
From four-month celebrations, to serving black noodles and women buying men gifts and chocolates, Valentine’s is indeed a much-celebrated day in different parts of the world.
Whether you’re single or happily taken, one thing you can enjoy is this list of how people celebrate Hearts’ Day in unique ways around the world.
DENMARK
Men give women gaekkebrev, a “joking letter” consisting of a funny poem written on intricately cut paper and signed only with anonymous dots. If a woman can correctly guess the sender of the card, she earns herself an Easter egg later that year.
SOUTH KOREA
Valentine’s is celebrated each month starting February through April. On February 14, women give their men chocolates, flowers, and candies. During White Day (March 14), men will not only give their partner chocolates and flowers, but also a special gift. April 14 is a celebration for those who are not in a relationship. This is called Black Day, wherein singles mourn their status by eating “jajangmyeon” or black bean noodles.
SOUTH AFRICA
Women pin the names of their crushes on their sleeves, allowing men to discover their secret admirers.
JAPAN
Girls give the traditional Giri Choco to male colleagues, friends, or even bosses. It has no romantic association unless a handmade gift is given with another chocolate variant, called Honmon Choco. A month later, males have to return the favor with gifts, chocolates and more.
GERMANY
Lovers will not only exchange chocolates, flowers, and other heart shaped gifts, but also pigs. It is believed that pigs represent luck and lust, and can be given in different forms—pictures, miniature statues, chocolates, etc.
TAIWAN
Valentine’s is celebrated twice a year. On February 14 and July 7, flowers play an important role. Red roses represent “only love”, 99 roses represent “love forever”, and 108 roses signifies popping the question “Will you marry me?”
WALES
The Welsh celebrate their patron saint of love Saint Dwynwen on January 25, which is equivalent to Valentine’s Day. Wooden love spoons are given as gifts.
MIAO, SOUTH WEST CHINA
During the Sister’s Meal Festival, women cook an assortment of colorful rice dishes, which are wrapped in silk and offered to serenading suitors. The fate of the relationship rides upon the item found within the rice. Two chopsticks mean love, but a clove of garlic means the romance is over before it even started.
— Researcher: Panahon TV intern Gem Lat