Chocolate, pigs or mass weddings: Valentine’s Day around the world

  • Valentine's Day is celebrated differently in each country
  • Some countries on Valentine's Day is not celebrated in February
Image: iStock

February 14 is one of the most special days of the year in the calendar of lovers. During this day, millions of couples give gifts to express the love and affection they have for each other. And although there are many couples who decide not to do anything special during this day, many others celebrate it with a romantic getaway or dinner for the occasion.

In every corner of the globe it is known that Valentine's Day is the day to celebrate love as a couple. However, the way to celebrate it varies depending on where we are. While flowers and chocolates are typically given in the vast majority of countries, there are some other countries in the world that celebrate this day in a most peculiar way.

Valentine's day in different parts of the world

Japan: In Japan, women are in charge of giving away Valentine's Day. There, the usual thing is for women to give chocolates or chocolates to men with whom they have an emotional relationship. That is, in addition to their partner, they give a gift to their relatives, their friends and even their boss and co-workers.

Czech Republic: Instead of celebrating Valentine's Day in February they do it on May 1. That day, couples living in Prague, go to Pet? Ín park and kiss under a cherry blossom. The origin of this tradition stems from a poem called “Maj”, May in Spanish.

Welsh: The Welsh celebrate January 25 on St. Dwynwen's Day. During this day, men give their partners hand-carved wooden spoons. This custom was born as a result of the fact that the sailors carved wood for being so long at sea and then gave it to their loved ones.

Finland: Instead of celebrating February 14 on Valentine's Day, they celebrate friendship day. During this day cards and gifts are given to all loved ones, in addition to the couple.

Denmark: Valentine's day in Denmark is one of the most original. Women receive a funny poem, known as gaekkebrev, which is signed instead of with the name with dots for each letter of their name. If the one who receives a gaekkebrev, guesses the author's name, receives an easter egg.

Estonia: In Estonia, friendship day is also celebrated on Valentine's Day. In addition, in this country we can find the love bus in which anyone can access to find a partner there.

Germany: In this country, Valentine's Day has a most peculiar characteristic. In addition to finding classic gifts, such as chocolates or flowers, couples exchange pigs that represent good luck.

Ghana: One of the most outstanding productions of Ghana is cocoa. Ghana is one of the countries that produces more cocoa in the world and therefore they want their consumption to increase. To achieve this goal, they decided to turn Valentine's day into chocolate day.

Philippines: February 14, is the most desired day for couples who want to get married. Faced with this situation, every year that passes, massive weddings are held on this day in which hundreds of couples participate.