Photo by Jeremy Cai via Unsplash A woman smiling as she receives flowers from someone. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Valentine’s Day is an annual celebration every February 14th. Today, almost every country in the world celebrates this day. Some, with different ways and twists. Ever wonder how Korea, Denmark, Italy, Philippines, and France celebrate the most romantic day of the year? Read on and find out their odd but unique ways of celebrating. Valentine’s Day commemorates the martyrdom of Valentine of Rome. It has the rank of ‘commemoration’ in the calendar of saints in the Anglican Communion. The feast day of Saint Valentine is also given in the calendar of saints of the Lutheran Church. Five countries and their unique way of celebrating Valentine’s day: 1. South Korea Forget being old school. Asiasociety.org describes how Korea celebrates Valentines Day. In Korea, women are the ones who give chocolates, candies or flowers to men as a sign of their affection. But February 14 is only the first day of their celebration because it lasts until April. Traditionally, men who received the gift will return the favor on White Day which is celebrated a month after the official Valentine’s Day. But how about the singles? Well, there is also this celebration called the Black Day. The Black Day is being celebrated every April 14. This is for the singles who did not receive a gift on either Valentine’s Day or White Day. These single men or women will meet to mourn their solitary status by eating dark bowls of jajangmyeon. Jajangmyeon is a kind of black bean-paste noodles. Jajangmyeon/Photo by KFoodaddict via wikimedia commons 2. Denmark Love is for all ages. But Valentine’s Day celebration in Denmark is youth-centered. People ages 16-30 are more active in participating in the celebrations. In Denmark, there are three traditions of celebrating Valentine’s Day. First, the lover’s card. People give not only an ordinary lover’s card. It is a transparent card which reflects the picture of the lover. Second, the snowdrops. Forget roses. In Denmark, friends and sweethearts exchange pressed white flowers called snowdrops. Embedded in these flowers are love letters. Third, the tradition of Gaekkebrev. Gaekkebrev can be special love poems or beautiful romantic love notes. Some give funny poems signed with three dots by the sender. What makes this tradition special is that the girl who receives the card is to guess the name of the sender. She earns an ‘Easter Egg’ on that same year. If she is able to guess the right name. Gækkebrev (Danish Easter Letter)/Photo by Nillerdk via wikimedia commons 3. Italy Just like in Denmark, Valentine’s Day in Italy is also for young sweethearts and lovers. Young sweethearts in Italy profess their love for each other by attaching “Lucchetti” to bridges and railings. Afterwards, they are to throw away the keys. There is also a popular chocolate called Baci. Baci is a chocolate candy with a shiny red wrapper. It is a sweet red cherry with a liquid center rather than the traditional hazelnut one. This chocolate serves as “love note” because there is a romantic phrase behind it. For young unmarried girls, here is also a special tradition. They are to wake up before dawn to spot their future husbands. They believe that the first man a woman saw on Valentine’s Day was the man she would marry. Lucchetti/Photo by Marcobonomo via wikimedia commons 4. Philippines The Philippines celebrate Valentine’s Day same as the Western countries. Filipinos are fond of giving gifts. They like to gift flowers, chocolates, love letters and harana (serenade). Men will come to the women’s house to give respect and personally greet her and her family. Parks and restaurants are also filled with lovers during Valentine’s Day. Lovers choose to stroll at the park and eat even at a simple restaurant to celebrate. Mass wedding ceremonies are also a very popular tradition in the country. To get married or renew their vows, hundreds of couples are gathering at churches and malls. Mass wedding at Vigan City, Philippines/Photo via Vigan City PH facebook page 5. France France is the most romantic place in the world. It is even said that the first Valentine’s Day took place here. Like other countries, Valentine cards are popular in France. There is also this custom called loterie d’amour, or “drawing for love.” Here, men and women would paint the houses across one another. Women then will call men and men will call women to pair off. Men who weren’t satisfied with their match could leave a woman for another. Afterwards, women who are left unmatched will gather together for a bonfire. They will burn pictures of men who hurt and wronged them. Different countries, a different way of celebrating. But it doesn’t matter how extravagant or simple the celebration is. What matters most is the love between and among people. A cliche as it is but we should let love reign. Because even if love is just a series of chemical chain reaction inside the brain, it makes the world go round. Facebook Comments
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