February 14 is a day known for celebrating St. Valentine.

The legend of St. Valentine

The Catholic Church honors at least three saints named Valentine, all were martyred. One story says Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome. Emperor Claudius II prohibited marriage, believing single men made better soldiers, but Valentine secretly performed marriages. Claudius ordered his execution. Other accounts claim Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape from Roman prisons.

Valentine is said to have sent the first Valentine’s Day greeting. Another story claims he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter while in prison. Before he died, he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine.”

Whatever its origins, Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world.

Valentine’s Day in the United Sates is celebrated with candy, flowers, greeting cards, and romantic dinners. Other parts of the world have their own unique ways to celebrate St. Valentine.

United Kingdom

People began sending anonymous valentines to their crushes during the Victorian era. They believed signing the card would bring bad luck. The people in the United Kingdom also started giving roses on Valentine’s Day. Roses are linked to Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

Japan

In Japan, Valentine’s Day the women are the gift-givers, mainly handing out sweets or chocolates to men. Unlike the various gift options we have in the United States, Japan associates Valentine’s Day with giving chocolates. The amount of chocolate they give is proportionate to their feelings. Homemade chocolates hold special meaning, particularly for romantic relationships or confessions of love. These chocolates are “Honmei Choco,” or real-feeling chocolate. Other chocolates like “Giri Choco” are to be given in platonic, social aspects, or “Tomo Choco” for friends.

Finland and Estonia

Finland and Estonia celebrate Friend’s Day on February 14. This is a day for honoring both friends and significant others. Cards and gifts are given out, and can be for anyone from a best friend to a neighbor. February 14 is also a popular day to get engaged in both countries. Additionally, Estonia has an interesting tradition for single people. They can take a ride on the Love Bus. The ride is in hopes of meeting someone special.

Germany

German couples exchange pig-shaped gifts instead. In Germany the pig is the symbol of both love and lust. It’s not uncommon to give or receive pig statues, stuffed animals and more. Flowers and chocolates are given too. Another popular German tradition is giving a ginger cookies featuring loving phrases in icing.

Mexico

In Mexico Feb. 14 is “El Día del Amor y Amistad,” which translates to the “Day of Love and Friendship. So, no need for a romantic relationship to celebrate. In Mexico everyone regardless of their relationship status can celebrate with flowers, cards, stuffed animals and more.

Philippines

In the Philippines, the government hosts a huge marriage ceremony on Valentine’s Day. So hundreds of lovebirds can tie the knot.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, men give huge bouquets as a token of their affection to their loved ones on Feb. 14. If you’re in Taiwan and get a bouquet with exactly 108 roses, someone is asking you to marry them!

Italy

Italians celebrate “La Festa Degli Innamorati” in commemoration of Juno, the Goddess of Women and Marriage. Tradition has it that the first man a single woman sees on Feb. 14 will become her husband. A favorite romantic gift is those well-loved Perugina Baci chocolates.

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Sources used in this article – https://www.today.com/life/holidays/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world-rcna64522 https://www.odysseys-unlimited.com/valentines-day-in-30-countries-around-the-world/