February 14th celebrates love and romance. Its origins are inextricably intertwined in early Christianity and Roman paganism. It commemorates both the martyrdoms of several saints of the same name and the birth of the twins Remus and Romulus in ancient Rome, and the she-wolf who raised and nurtured them, spawning the fertility rites known as Lupercalia.
The concept embraces love in all its forms, the strengthening of bonds of affection through simple acts of caring and has superseded mere romance. Greetings are extended to parents, teachers, siblings, friends, sweethearts, neighbors and everyone special. Love is
popularly expressed through exchanges of cards, flowers, chocolates, and even fine jewelry, this being a favorite day for proposals, engagements, and renewal of vows.
Today, the event has little religious significance, having assumed a secular, global flavor and is celebrated by all ages and races. However, different nations have made it uniquely their own, colored by indigenous customs, traditions, and cultural differences. Charming traditions abound, giving interesting insights into the differences and similarities of cultures.
In the UK, different regions have specific traditions. Penning of romantic verses is common.
Unmarried girls in early Britain and Italy believed that the first man they saw on Valentine's Day would marry them within a year. Maidens, therefore, used to wake up early to stand by their window and wait for the man to pass by.
Valentine's Day cards are attributed to the French Duke of Orleans, who while imprisoned in the Tower of London, after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 wrote a poem or ‘Valentine' to his wife, which was the precursor of the written messages of love.
The day was celebrated as an open-air Spring Festival in Italy. Young people gathered to enjoy music and poetry, and stroll with their Valentines. In Turin, couples announced their engagement on this day.
The celebrations are more youth-centered in Denmark, among the 16-30 age-group. The traditional 'lover's card' is transparent reflecting the face of the lover presenting it to his beloved, when viewed against the light. A typical Scottish tradition is the hunt for the Valentine date, when the first young man or woman encountered that day becomes his or her Valentine and they celebrate together.
A Slovenian proverb believes "St Valentine brings the keys of roots". On February 14, plants and flowers start new life, work in vineyards and fields commences, and birds “propose” to each other.
South African girls celebrate by following a version of the age-old Roman festival of Lupercalia', by pinning their lovers’ names on their sleeves.
In Asia, this western holiday is colored with local customs and myths to produce a hybrid festival that is as exotic as the eastern mentality.
The Chinese version falls on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month of the Chinese Calendar, as “Festival of the Double Sevens” or Qi Xi – “The Night of Sevens”.
In S. Korea, like Japan, women present men with chocolate on February 14, and men reciprocate with non-chocolate-candy on March 14 (White Day). On April 14 (Black Day), those not receiving candy visit Korean restaurants to eat black noodles (jajangmyeon) and "mourn" their single life.
In Taiwan the situation is reversed. Men give gifts to women on Valentine's Day, and women
return them on White Day.
The idea exists even in conservative, fundamentalist societies, despite authoritarian restrictions and consequences.
Love and the higher human emotions are unstoppable, have thrived in the face of oppression and are the only factors that give meaning to life. Long live customs such as Valentine's Day and may its message spread to obliterate the voices and actions of those who hate.
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