9 Countries that Celebrate Valentine’s Day Differently

Valentine's Day is a celebration of love. At DNA Romance, we are bringing you various Love-day festivals from around the world. From East to West, different cultures and traditions have different ways to celebrate romantic love. Here are 9 countries that celebrate Valentine's Day a bit differently.

Japan

Valentine's Day in Japan is not only a day for couples. On February 14th, girls give out chocolates to their friends, significant others, and coworkers. Giri-choco ("obligation chocolate") is cheaper and is given to friends, whereas honmei-choco ("true feeling chocolate") is usually homemade and is meant for one's significant other or crush.

On top of Valentine's Day on February 14th, White Day is celebrated a month later on March 14th. White Day is a chance for men who received chocolate on Valentine's Day to return the favor with white-colored treats, such as marshmallows or white chocolate. White Day began in Japan in 1978, but other Asian countries now also celebrate White Day, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and South Korea.

England

On Valentine's Eve (February 13th), women in England used to place 5 bay leaves on their pillows (one in each corner and one in the center) to welcome dreams of their future husbands.

In Norfolk, Jack Valentine (aka. Old Father Valentine) would leave treats and small gifts on the porches of families with children in England on Valentine's Day.

Italy

An old Italian Valentine's Day tradition is for young, unmarried girls to wake up before dawn to spot their future husbands. The belief was that the first man a lady saw on Valentine's Day was the man she would marry within a year, or he would strongly resemble the man she would marry.

Today, Italians celebrate Valentine's with gift exchanges and romantic dinners, and a plethora of chocolate-covered hazelnuts.

China

Although Western holidays such as Valentine's Day and White Day are becoming more popular in China, the oldest Chinese romantic holiday is called QiXi ("seventh night festival"). QiXi is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month each year.

The basis of the holiday is from an old Chinese folklore of lovers: NiuLang (M) & ZhiNu (F), who were forcefully separated onto two sides of the Milky Way by ZhiNu's mother. Every year the couple is only able to reunite on the night of QiXi with the help of magpies who form a bridge across the Milky Way.

Singles' Day or Bachelors' Day is also celebrated in China on the 11th of November (11/11). The date was chosen because the numeral 1 resembles a bare stick, which is Chinese slang for an unmarried person.

Philippines

Valentine's Day in the Philippines is a day for mass wedding ceremonies. Hundreds of couples will gather at malls or other public areas around the country to get married or renew their vows in the presence of a large crowd.

Brazil

Brazilians skip the February 14th celebration and instead celebrate Dia dos Namorados, or "Lovers' Day" on June 12th. There is an exchange of chocolates, flowers, and cards, but in addition to that, music festivals and performances are held across the country. Gift giving is not limited to couples; gifts and dinner are shared amongst friends and relatives!

The day after, on June 13th, is Saint Anthony's Day, honoring the patron saint of marriage. On this day single women perform the simpatias ritual in hopes that St. Anthony will bring them a husband.

South Korea

South Korea observes a romantic holiday on the 14th of every month!

• Jan 14 - Diary Day
• Feb 14 - Valentine's Day
• Mar 14 - White Day
• April 14 - Black Day (for singles)
• May 14 - Rose Day
• June 14 - Kiss Day
• July 14 - Silver Day
• Aug 14 - Green Day
• Sep 14 - Photo Day
• Oct 14 - Wine Day
• Nov 11 - Pepero Day (similar to 11/11)
• Nov 14 - Movie Day
• Dec 14 - Hug Day

India

Valentine's Day in India is celebrated along with the rest of the world, but the Hindu festival of love, Karva Chauth, is celebrated around late October every year.

Mostly celebrated in the northern parts of India, this festival is observed by married women by doing a nirjal upwaas (fasting without water) for the whole day for their husband's long life. The fast ends at night after praying to the moon, and then the husband offers the wife water from the Karva (a small earthen pot).

Colombia

Colombians celebrate El Dia del Amor y la Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship) every year on the third Saturday of September. The celebration was moved from February to September in 1969 to leverage commerce in a month that previously had no celebrations.

While originally just for couples, it is now common to see friends and families celebrating their relationships throughout the month of September.