Valentine’s day is fast approaching. In America, the celebration is met with red roses, pink hearts,and the age old question: “Will you be my valentine?” Some loathe the yearly love-filled day while others look forward to it as soon as the New Year begins. If American traditions don’t appeal to you, maybe plan a trip this February because across the world Valentines day takes many forms.
A traditional Valentine’s day event in France is the Loterie D’amour. France may have a romantic reputation (kissing under the Eiffel tower, symbolically locking your love on the Pont de Arts) but this tradition does not follow suit. According to the Huffington Post,“[M]en and women would fill houses that faced one another, and then take turns calling out to one another and pairing off. Men who weren’t satisfied with their match could simply leave a woman for another, and the women left unmatched gathered afterward for a bonfire.” At this bonfire the scorned women would burn pictures of the rejectors. Unsurprisingly this event caused quite a disturbance and ended up being banned by the French Government.
Similar to the pairing off in France, Scotland’s tradition also plays match-maker. According to Auto Europe, “[I]n cities around the country, young men and women would draw names from a bowl to see who their Valentines would be. Once a name was chosen, each person would then wear these names on their sleeves for one week, stemming from the popular term, ‘to wear your heart on your sleeve’.”
Perhaps South Korea should nab the title “country of love” because every month on the 14th love is celebrated in a different way. According to Asia Society, on the 14th of February women treat their special someone to chocolates. The following month on “white day” women are treated with white gifts such as white chocolate or lingerie. Even the singles are shown some love as on the 14th of April they celebrate “Black Day”. On this day singles meet up and eat black noodles, throwing themselves a literal “pity party.”
In the Philippines the government plays an interesting role by sponsoring mass weddings as a public service. According to Serenata Flowers, “[M]ass wedding ceremonies take place everywhere from parks to shopping malls and also tend to attract those who have been married for many years, who use the celebration as an opportunity to renew their vows.”
If Valentine’s Day is not your cup of tea, you aren’t alone. Countries like Iran, Indonesia, Russia, and Saudi Arabia have all banned Valentine’s Day. Each has their own reasoning. For example, in Saudi Arabia it is considered a Chrisitian holiday and goes against Muslim traditions.
Valentine’s day tends to bring out strong feelings in all of us but as we can see from taking a look at the rest of the world, there are many ways to celebrate. Whether you are someone’s Valentine or not, find a way to enjoy yourself this February 14th.