Everyone knows that time of year: storefronts drowning in pink, red, and hearts, candies and roses everywhere you turn, and love in the air. That’s right— Valentine’s Day! As February 14th rolls around, people all over America prepare to exchange romantic gifts and heartfelt notes with their special someone. As love is a universal sentiment, similar traditions appear around the world. However, each of these love-filled traditions is unique and interesting in its own way. From vibrant festivals to pigs of love, we’ve compiled seven fun traditions below. 

Wales’ Spoons of a Lovesick Sailor 

 Despite being named after him, it is often forgotten that Valentine’s Day is the day of Saint Valentine. St. Valentine’s Day is not the only day on which people choose to celebrate loved ones. In Wales, people celebrate St. Dwynwen’s Day on January 25. On this day, Men will gift their significant others hand-carved spoons; a tradition derived from a practice used by Welsh sailors longing for their wives at sea. 

China’s Qixi Festival (七夕)

The Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day is actually a festival called Qixi—- a festival based on the Chinese love story of a cowherd and a celestial weaver, Niulang and Zhinü. Per the myth, the two lovers were condemned by the Heavenly Emperor to be eternally separated, except for one day a year when a divine bridge forms to let them reunite. So, on the seventh day and seventh month of the lunar calendar, couples might give one another gifts or go on dates. Other activities include wishing on paper lanterns, stargazing, and eating traditional foods like qiaoguo. In honor of Zhinü, some women even take the time to practice their weaving and carving skills. 

Argentina’s Sweetness Week
Rather than spending just one day celebrating romantic love in particular, Argentina sets up an entire week for festivals and celebrations dedicated to loved ones of all sorts. During this time, family members, friends, couples, and all loved ones take the time to buy and share a variety of candies and sweet indulgences. Originally attributed to being started by a candy company campaign, Arcor’s “Candy for a Kiss”, this tradition has been going on since 1989. To honor the week’s loving and sugary festivities they have nicknamed the time Sweetness Week.  

Denmark’s Gaekkebrev “Joke Cards”

In the US, it is common practice to gift your loved one’s cards; this tradition is emphasized even more so in some Scandinavian countries. In Denmark, people will share handmade “joke cards”, featuring silly poems and pressed flowers. Secret admirers send these to the object of their affection, and, if the receiver is able to guess who sent it to them, they are rewarded with an egg when Easter rolls around.  

Germany: Chocolates, Flowers, and… Pigs?

In the US, people often associate Valentine’s with its lovable angel mascot, Cupid. In Germany, people also recognize a symbol for this famous holiday of love. Unlike our cupid, this figure doesn’t have a bow and arrow but does have a curly pink tail. There, the pig is recognized as a symbol of love. In addition to chocolates and cards, lovers might receive small pig-themed items like chocolate pigs, stuffed animals, and figurines. 

South Korea: Love, Love, and Loneliness

South Korea uniquely covers love over three different holidays— Valentine’s Day, White Day, and Black Day— but they might not be exactly what you expect! On Valentine’s Day, ladies gift chocolates to the guys in their lives. On White Day, a month later on March 14th, guys will gift white-colored chocolates or nice clothes to ladies; the sanbai gaeshi, “triple the return” rule, dictates that White Day gifts should be at least three times the cost of whatever gift a guy received on Valentine’s Day. The third holiday might be the most unique, though, as it is dedicated to single people. Single women celebrate their lack of love life with a type of black bean noodle called Jjajyangmyeon. This day, labeled Black Day, is most commonly spent with fellow single friends, mourning their nonexistent love lives. 

These are only a few of the many unique traditions beloved around the world. There are a thousand-and-more types of love, and even more ways to celebrate it. That’s why we urge everyone to join us this year in appreciating their loves in life— whether they be romantic relationships, platonic ones, or even self-love. 

However you celebrate, Happy Valentine’s Day from the Flame crew!♥️