How do different countries around the world celebrate Valentine's Day differently?

Japan

In Japan, on February 14th (Red Valentine's Day), like girls around the world, Japanese women give gifts to the men they have feelings for, usually flowers, presents, or chocolate. Besides their boyfriends, they also give chocolate to male colleagues and close male friends. This gift is called giri choko (roughly translated as "polite chocolate") to express affection.

Japanese women are often very shy, so Valentine's Day is an opportunity for them to express their love. They believe that store-bought chocolate isn't a meaningful gift for true love, so they prefer to make their own chocolate.

Older brother

England is the birthplace of Valentine's Day, with some of the greatest poets of all time composing verses celebrating the occasion. The traditional gift in England on Valentine's Day isn't chocolate or roses, but silver spoons.

Couples often exchange sets of silver spoons engraved with key and lock symbols, representing giving the key to their heart to their significant other.

Additionally, another popular custom is for children to sing songs related to Valentine's Day, and adults to reward them with candy, fruit, or money.

France

Perhaps you didn't know, but in France there used to be a custom of "drawing lots for love" for single people, regardless of age. They would go to houses opposite each other and call out from one window to the other, and then they would be paired with the person chosen.

If a man feels he is not compatible with the woman he has chosen, he will leave. The women will then light a fire to burn the image of the man who has left and curse him loudly.

Later, that custom was abandoned because it brought ill will to those who participated, so the French government had to officially issue a complete ban. Today, on Valentine's Day, lovers spend their time with their significant other and do the things they enjoy.

Virtue

Valentine's Day in German is Valentinstag. The pig is a symbol of good luck and desire in this country.

Pig-themed decorations can be found all over Germany. Valentine's Day gifts in Germany are quite popular, featuring love symbols and loving messages, especially lollipops engraved with sweet messages.

Additionally, Germans also make gingerbread cookies with love messages written on them. There was a time when Germans even chose Valentine's Day for their baptisms or weddings. The ceremonies were usually simply decorated, mainly with beautiful and meaningful poems presented through illustrations.

Spain

In Valencia, Spain, the most romantic day of the year is October 9th, coinciding with the celebration of Valencian Council Day and the Day of Saint Dionysius (Saint Dionís) – the local patron saint of love.

Grand festivals and parades are held. Men will give their lovers Mocadora, an almond cake, as a symbol of love.

Italy

Valentine's Day in Italy used to be called the Spring Festival. According to ancient custom, on Valentine's Day, men in Italy would prepare their finest carriages and take their lovers for a stroll through the streets.

Italian lovers exchange a type of chocolate called "Baci Perugini." This hazelnut chocolate is wrapped in foil printed with famous love poems, declarations of love, or romantic messages.

Besides flowers and chocolate, Italians also give other very expensive gifts to their women, such as perfume and diamond jewelry.

Romania

Romania celebrates its own Valentine's Day on February 24th, called Dragobete, also known as the day when birds nest.

Romanians believe that if someone steps on their partner's foot on this occasion, they will become the leader of the relationship.

China

Valentine's Day in China takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month. On this day, couples go to temples to pray to Buddha and bring back a white lily. They believe that whoever's flower wilts first loves less.

Phuong Thao