Valentine’s Day is a time when couples exchange love and gifts, each partner expressing their affection for the other with maybe a gift or two. But, not all countries do the same chocolate-and-card routine as the United States. Every region has one or two traditions that set them apart from the rest, so buckle up! The time has come to take a closer look at how some of these foreign lovers celebrate.
For our first exhibit, we have Germany, a European country known for its musical background and car production. Would you have ever thought that Germans exchanged pig-themed gifts instead of heart ones? Contrary to the usual negative connotations that come with the animal, Germany associates pigs with love. In the past, pigs were valuable to have on farms, as they were often thought to bring fortune to those who had them. Now, images of these creatures are included with messages of happiness and luck and sent to loved ones.
Although Germany’s traditions certainly are interesting, the Philippines have something on a much larger scale. Introducing…mass weddings! You heard it－this one day has been delegated for marriage. To help those who are unable to afford it, the government has decided to let the lucky couples get married for free, the only condition that the bride and groom wear traditional clothing. Free bouquets, jewelry, food and money are provided to the couple and their family. Could there be anything sweeter than the government backing up your union on the most love-filled day of the year?
While on the topic of Valentine’s Day traditions that are bold and showy, why not talk about another brave set of cultural norms? South Africa holds its Valentine’s Day on the 15th of February to honor the Roman festival of fertility and health, Lupercalia. It is tradition for unmarried women of these regions to declare their love on this day–that is, by writing their beloved’s name on a piece of paper and pinning it to their sleeve. This stems from the past, where women would do this to attract a potential suitor.
Even though all of these countries have different ways of expressing their love on Valentine’s Day, there are still similarities. Many countries will continue to use widely recognized symbols of love. In Taiwan, flowers are a big part of Valentine’s Day, while in Korea and Japan, chocolate is exchanged. Looking at all these cultural differences, how do you think you can shake things up for your partner this Valentine’s Day?
