{"id":17969,"date":"2025-02-06T09:00:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T09:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-content.thortful.com\/?p=17969"},"modified":"2025-02-05T16:37:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T16:37:05","slug":"valentines-day-traditions-from-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-content.thortful.com\/valentines-day-traditions-from-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Valentine\u2019s Day traditions from around the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you think of Valentine\u2019s Day, you probably think of chocolates and red roses, but is this the same around the world? Well, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at how this day of love is celebrated in other countries around the world, from Finland to the Philippines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But first, whilst we\u2019ve got your attention, don\u2019t forget to pick up a <\/span>Valentine\u2019s Day card<\/span><\/a> for your loved one before it slips your mind!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here at thortful, all of our cards are created by independent creators which helps to give them personality, and with so many different designs to choose from, we\u2019re certain you\u2019ll find something perfect for everyone. Just have a sneaky peek below to see what we mean:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Funny
\"Jelly

Jelly Armchair<\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div>

\"Stranger
\"The

The Girl Next Draw<\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div>

\"‘Exciting
\"I

I AM NOT AN ARTIST<\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div>

\"“To
\"Pickled

Pickled Post<\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div>

\"Cute
\"Hannah

Hannah Jayne Lewin<\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div>

\"Funny
\"la

la la la Designs<\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n

Finland: Yst\u00e4v\u00e4np\u00e4iv\u00e4<\/span><\/h2>\n

In Finland, it\u2019s not Valentine\u2019s Day which is celebrated on February 14<\/span>th<\/span> but rather Yst\u00e4v\u00e4np\u00e4iv\u00e4\u00a0which means \u2018Friend\u2019s Day\u2019. So, instead of only focusing on romantic love, people send cards and small gifts to the different people in their life that they treasure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Denmark: Gaekkebrev<\/span><\/h2>\n

One difference in Valentine\u2019s celebrations is that rather than red roses, the common flower to give someone are white flowers like snowdrops.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another Danish Valentine\u2019s tradition involves men sending humorous secret admirer love letters. Purposefully written in a jokey tone, the idea is that if the recipient can correctly guess who sent it to them then they\u2019re owed an Easter egg later that same year from that person.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe you want to try your hand at penning a longer note? Discover our <\/span>tips for writing a love letter<\/span><\/a> to get started!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Germany: Pig-shaped gifts<\/span><\/h2>\n

Who knew pigs were so romantic? Well, in Germany, people do buy pig-shaped gifts to get their lover for Valentine\u2019s Day. Of course, this may sound a bit odd to some of us who aren\u2019t familiar with the tradition, but the reason for this is that pigs symbolise prosperity and desire\u2026 who would\u2019ve thought!<\/span><\/p>\n

Spain: Various celebrations of love<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ah, Spain, a country full of very affectionate people. Like the UK, Valentine\u2019s Day, translated as \u2018El D\u00eda de\u00a0San Valent\u00edn\u2019 in Spanish, is commonly celebrated on February 14<\/span>th<\/span>. But this isn\u2019t always the case, and there are other regions of Spain that have different dates dedicated to celebrating love.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, in Valencia, \u2018San Dionisio\u2019 takes place on October 9<\/span>th<\/span> during which people traditionally gift each other marzipan called a \u2018mocador\u00e0\u2019. This is a marzipan wrapped in a handkerchief, known as a \u2018mocador\u2019. Then there\u2019s \u2018D\u00eda de Sant Jordi\u2019 on April 23<\/span>rd<\/span>, which is a Catalonian tradition where people normally exchange gifts of flowers and books.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brazil: Dias dos Namorados\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In Brazil, \u2018Dias dos Namorados\u2019, aka Sweetheart\u2019s Day or Boyfriends\/Girlfriends\u2019 Day, is celebrated on June 12<\/span>th<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you can guess from the name, it is very similar to Valentine\u2019s Day, but the reason it\u2019s not celebrated in February is due to Carnaval. This is a completely different annual tradition, which also happens to be one of the major festivals in Brazil where it\u2019s essentially a huge party.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Philippines: Mass weddings<\/span><\/h2>\n

Perhaps the most romantic gesture possible on Valentine\u2019s Day happens in the Philippines as hundreds of couples gather together and get married en masse. Naturally, it might not be everyone\u2019s cup of tea, but you\u2019ve got to at least admit that it\u2019s quite literally a big ol\u2019 celebration of love (plus, it means you\u2019re less likely to forget your anniversary!).<\/span><\/p>\n

Japan: Gifting chocolate and \u2018White Day\u2019<\/span><\/h2>\n

In Japan, there are various chocolate-related traditions on Valentine\u2019s Day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Honmei-choco\u2019, which means \u2018true feelings\u2019 or \u2018favourite\u2019 chocolate, is traditionally given by women to their husband, boyfriend, or someone that they\u2019re confessing romantic feelings for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is also \u2018giri-choco\u2019, meaning \u2018obligation chocolate\u2019, which is a cheaper chocolate handed out by women to males that they want to show appreciation for in a platonic way, such as male colleagues or friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

A month after Valentine\u2019s Day, on the 14<\/span>th<\/span> of March is \u2018White Day\u2019, which is when it\u2019s finally the man\u2019s turn to return the favour by getting their gift-givers a white-coloured present. This may include marshmallows, cookies, or other sweets. But it\u2019s worth noting that if a man has received a \u2018honmei-choco\u2019 and doesn\u2019t feel the same then he will likely choose to not give something back. So, yeah, it can be pretty brutal\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korea: Jajangmyeon<\/span><\/h2>\n

Similar to Japan, Valentine\u2019s Day in South Korea is celebrated on February 14<\/span>th<\/span> with women giving men gifts, and then the males do their part on March 14<\/span>th<\/span>, \u2018White Day\u2019. What\u2019s perhaps most notable is apparently how the singletons \u2018celebrate\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

On April 14<\/span>th<\/span> (yes, two whole months after Valentine\u2019s Day, in case you\u2019re keeping track), it\u2019s said that anyone who didn\u2019t receive presents on either Valentine\u2019s Day or White Day gets together with other single friends to eat Jjajyangmyeon, which are black noodles, hence why this date has earned the title of \u2018Black Day\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Comfort food and getting together with friends who know how you feel? Now that\u2019s a way of drowning our sorrows that we can wholeheartedly support! For more inspiration on what you can get up to if you\u2019ve not got a partner, we\u2019ve got loads of ideas on <\/span>how to spend Valentine\u2019s Day as a singleton<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have any of these Valentine\u2019s traditions from other countries around the world left you inspired? Perhaps there\u2019s one that you want to give a go this year?<\/span><\/p>\n

For even more ways to make the most of this particular special occasion, be sure to check out our blogs on <\/span>Valentine\u2019s Day date ideas<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>how to throw a Valentine\u2019s party<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>what to write in a Valentine\u2019s Day card<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As you might have guessed by now, the team here at thortful are all about helping people show how much they care. Whatever the reason, we\u2019re pretty sure you\u2019ll be able to find an inspiration or guide about it over on the <\/span>thortful blog<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you think of Valentine\u2019s Day, you probably think of chocolates and red roses, but is this the same around the world? Well, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at how this day of love is celebrated in other countries around the world, from Finland to the Philippines.\u00a0 But first, whilst…<\/p>\nRead More<\/a>","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":17971,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[462],"tags":[474],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nValentine\u2019s Day Traditions From Around the World | thortful<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wonder how the rest of the world celebrates love? 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