Valentine's Day Traditions And Rituals From Around The World

Valentine's Day is now recognized through most of the world as a day to honor those you love. There are many legends and myths about its origins and different traditions around the globe.

The Christian Stories of St. Valentine

There are many stories about St. Valentine and the origins of the holiday. Here's an example story of how Valentine helped couples in their relationships: 

One day when Valentine was walking in his garden, he heard two lovers arguing. He went to meet them with a rose in his hand and gave it to them. He asked them to make up their quarrel and to hold the stem of the rose together without pricking themselves, praying to God  to keep their love alive forever. Sometime later, the couple returned  to Valentine telling him of their wish to get married. The story became very popular and people began to visit Valentine on the 14th of every month which became the day dedicated to blessings. The date of the event was then restricted to just the month of February to celebrate the anniversary of Saint’s death.

Valentine's Day Tradtions From Around The World

Here are some different ways cultures around the world celebrate Valentine's Day in the present and in the past.

From 18th century England: 

During the eighteenth century, if a man was particularly smitten with a woman, he might declare it to the world by pinning to his sleeve a heart-shaped piece of paper with the name of his beloved written on it. It was this custom which led to the expression “wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve.” A woman might achieve the same goal with respect to the man she admired by wearing a charm called a love-bagge near her heart

In Japan: 

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is just the first part of a two-part cycle of gift giving. On February 14th, it’s traditional for women to give chocolate to the men in their life. Then, on March 14th, the men return the favor during a celebration known as “White Day”. 

Homemade gifts are the most prized during Valentine’s Day, whereas the White Day gifts tend to be three times more expensive than gifts given in February. Common White Day gifts include marshmallows, lingerie, or jewelry.

One of the best White Day gifts that a male Japanese high school student might give is the second button from his jacket. Because this button is right over the heart, giving it away to a girl is one way of confessing that he has a crush on her.

Years ago in France,  there was this practice that has since been banned:

An old Valentines day custom in France and now officially banned was called the "une loterie d'amour" or "drawing for love". This entailed single people of all ages entering houses that faced opposite each other and calling out through the windows till eventually they paired off with each other. The male suitor if not particularly attracted to his partner would leave her and the women left single would build a large bonfire and ceremoniously burn images of the men that had deserted them whilst simultaneously hurling abuse and curses at the ungrateful men. Though this was probably very therapeutic for the rejected women inevitably it was a practice that soon became out of hand and was eventually banned by the French government.

France may have been the origin of the Valentine's day card: 

It is said that the first modern Valentine's Day card was sent by a Frenchmen. Supposedly, Charles the Duke of Orleans sent the first modern Valentine's Day card, along with poems and other love letters, to his wife from his cell in the Tower of London after being captured by the British at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415

In Mexico: 

There is a unique way in which men show their feelings for the women they love or wish to flatter. On the evening of Valentine’s Day, they place themselves beneath the window of the lady they want express their love to; accompanied by a trio of musicians known as a Mariachi band. Like in olden times, the man and his band sings romantic songs to win the heart of his lady love. 

In Germany: 

As in all other countries celebrating it, you will find in German stores a full range of romantic paraphernalia; gifts and cards and chocolates specifically made for Valentine's Day. All in pink and red, of course!

But you will also find an interesting little German twist to these Valentine's objects: the addition of a pig! Thus, you can find little pigs offering flowers, or others laying down on chocolate hearts in rather provocative postures. 

These little pigs are the symbol of luck but also of lust. Thus, for extra luck with the love one or the would be Valentine, there are some pigs holding a 4 leaves clover while climbing a little ladder on a heart.

In Brazil they celebrate a similar "holiday" in June: 

In Brazil, Dia dos Namorados is celebrated the eve of Day of St. Anthony [June 12th]. Known as the Marriage Saint, he believed in bringing good fortune on marriages, so this day is celebrated on a grand scale. Celebrations in Brazil consist of lavish parties, stunning costumes among other things, and commemorating Dia dos Namorados is no exception to this tradition. So, throwing in a huge party where family and friends are invited, and by buying gifts for your beloved is one way of celebrating this day. 

Single women perform a ritual known as Simpatias on this day, to find a good boyfriend or husband for themselves. The day is also celebrated with the exchange of love messages in the form of figurative objects among couples, both married and single. The figure and silhouette of cupid is popularly exchanged by couples, with each other on this day

Simpitas are "spells". Here's a couple of the traditional ones. There's more on the full page: 

-- Buy a small statue of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of single women. Remove Baby Jesus from his arms and tell the saint you won’t return the baby unless you get a boyfriend. You can reinforce your position, keeping Anthony upside down, so he will understand you are not kidding.

-- Write the names of possible candidates in separate pieces of paper. Leave one piece blank. Fold all of them and put them in a dish full of water on June 12th at midnight . Leave the dish outside. The paper that will be fully open in the morning will show the name of your future husband. In case the blank paper is open, either you will never get married or you still don’t know your future husband. Just believe whatever is more convenient to you.

In South Africa they have festivals:

As a ritual of this festival, young girls pin their lovers’ name their sleeves. Men also follow this custom at some regions of South Africa but it is very rare. 

In Italy:

In the Italian city of Turin it was traditional for an engaged couple to announce their engagement on this day. For a while before the day shops would be decorated and filled with all sorts of bon-bons. Some even sold china baskets and cups filled with delectable Valentine's Day candies and tied with a ribbon.

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Italy has a very trendy Valentine's gift, known as the Baci Perugina. It is basically a small chocolate enclosed with hazelnut and containing a small slip of paper which has the loving lyrical quote in four different languages.

In Norway: 

Valentine's Day has become a very important part in the social calendar for many, especially younger folks. In Norway, according to the legends, the sight of birds mating are a sure sign of spring and love. So Valentine's Day in Norway has become associated with that, and Norwegians tend to look for birds especially on February 14. Spring celebrations and Valentine's Day celebrations have become interlinked over the years. 

Image from Sweet Carolina Design & Photo on Flickr