Valentine’s Day Around The World

Valentine’s Day is coming up quickly, but you can use this day to do more than just make heart-

themed crafts and have students exchange cards. Instead, you can use this opportunity to educate students about cultures from all around the world. Many countries outside of America celebrate some version of Valentine’s Day. We’ve compiled a list for you, so you can use this fun holiday to educate your students.

Japan

In Japan, it is the women who are doting on the men, but it’s not only for romantic purposes. On February 14^th women will give different types of chocolate to different types of men, depending on the relationship. Women give giri-choco, which is chocolate that is given out of obligation, to men they have no romantic interest in such as male friends, colleagues, and bosses. Honmei choco is gifted to men in the woman’s life that are boyfriends or husbands. One month later on March 14^th is White Day. On this day men return the favor. They present chocolate and other gifts to women who gifted them chocolate the month before.

South Korea

South Korea has similar traditions to Japan when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Like in Japan, on February 14^th women gift men they like romantically with chocolate and candy. On March 14^th, men reciprocate with chocolate and gifts. For those people who are single, they have their own holiday on April 14^th. It is known as Black Day, a day where singles mourn their solitary status by eating black bean paste noodles. South Korean’s are, in general, a very romantic bunch. Different months on the 14^th have different romantic themes, so couples can celebrate all year.

Wales

In Wales, the locals celebrate Saint Dwynwen on January 25^th. On this day, men gift women they love with a wooden spoon. These wooden spoons are carved with different patterns to represent different things. Some examples include keys, which represent a man’s heart, and horseshoes, representing good luck. They are also exchanged for events such as weddings and anniversaries.

France

Paris is considered to be one of the most romantic cities in the world and is a popular destination on Valentine’s Day. Romantic partners exchange cards and gifts, much like we do in America. The origin of Valentine’s Day is actually claimed by France. While the traditions in France are similar to American traditions now, some old traditions certainly were not. An old tradition called une loterie d’amour involved single men and women filing into a house. Men and women would take turns calling out to each other and pairing off, but if the men didn’t like their match they could leave for a different woman. Any women who remained unmatched gathered for a bonfire, during which they burned pictures of men who rejected them and screamed insults. This tradition became uncontrollable and the French government eventually banned it.

Denmark

Valentine’s Day in Denmark is a very new tradition, and has only been around since the 1990s. That hasn’t stopped them from coming up with their own fun traditions. In Denmark, romantic partners often exchange white flowers called snowdrops and cards. Men may also give women gaekkebrev, which is a note or poem written anonymously. It is signed with dots, and the woman must guess the sender. If correct she gets an Easter egg later on in the year.

This is only a small sampling of the many Valentine’s Day traditions around the world. Many countries have traditions similar to ours, so today we’ve highlighted some of the traditions that your students are less likely to know about. We hope you take this chance to highlight other cultures. You may even be able to find a way to work some of these traditions into class activities!

Have a great holiday!