You have to agree that in the late years, more often than not, we get stuck in our own little bubbles. Love can be literally poking us on the shoulder but we would rather ignore it than be late for something… “Such a rush to do nothing at all… Such a rush to get nowhere at all…” Remember this song?

 

On Valentine’s day we are offered an annual wake up call so that we can take a break and embrace the power of love. (Or if not, then at least think about the love we have for ourselves and how much of it we give on a regular basis).

 

 

Last week at work a colleague mentioned something I found very interesting. She basically gave me an idea for my Valentine’s Day, but more on this later. What a friend said to her was that in one Easter European country (Bulgaria) they also celebrate the saint of wine on February 14. Totally separate holiday obviously. How cool is that? Everybody is happy with their choice and there is absolutely no pressure or obligation to do this or that… “Hey, happy holiday to you today! What do you celebrate?” –“I am gathering with some friends to ‘commemorate’ the saint of wine, watch a game or something, and you?” –“Well, this year I am going for Valentine’s Day”. Happy holiday to all!

 

This triggered me so this year I have decided to spend some time during the day to talk with Google about St. Valentine’s Day.  Are you going to join me for a quick tour?

 

As most countries share the traditional secret admirer cards, poems, gift exchange, flowers, red hearts all over etc. some differences apply here and there. It is also enchanting to see what the old-fashioned customs were.

 

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Taiwan on February 14, but there is also a special Valentine’s Day on July 7 of the lunar calendar. Both dates are equally important. Many men buy expensive bouquets of roses and other flowers for their sweethearts on these days. According to Taiwan tradition, the color and number of the roses holds much significance. For example, one red rose means “an only love,” eleven roses means “a favorite,” ninety-nine roses means “forever,” and one hundred eight roses means “marry me.” Hm, I bet this is one of the most important lesson young boys learn as it is crucial not to give the wrong number of roses in future…if you know what I mean.

 

Of course, the “romance” of marrying in a romantic Scottish Castle has appealed to many couples from around the world, and many celebrities such as Madonna have chosen to do this. However, very few people know that the remains of St Valentine, who is deeply associated with Valentine’s Day, still rest in a church of Blessed St John Duns Scotus, in Glasgow city of Scotland.

The small village of Gretna Green, located over the Scottish border, on the passage from England to Glasgow, is especially regarded as a ‘Lover’s Paradise’ and is in fact, very famous for its romantic weddings. The village is also known for being a place where young couples used to elope at a very tender age. As per the English Law, young couples were not allowed to marry before the reach the age of 18 whereas in Scotland, this age limit is 16. So, young couples used to run away to get married… Contrary to the situation with marriage here, where in most states you run away from IT.

 

An interesting old custom in the UK is that some years back, young unmarried girls  used to wake up sometime before sunrise on Valentine’s Day. It was a popular belief that they would marry the first man they saw on the day or a person who resembled him. They used to wake up early in the morning and wait near the window for the man to pass. Even in the popular play Hamlet (1603), Shakespeare made mention of this famous Valentine belief.

 

Is it just me or men back at this days had the chance to kind of manipulate this situation, knowing what the tradition is and where the girl they want lives?

An old Valentine’s 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. (.. but we still do it at home..)

 

There is a common belief in Romania that those who participate in Dragobete festivities are protected against sickness for the entire year. Traditionally, on this day, young Romanians used to dress in their Sunday dresses and meet in the center of the village or in front of the church. They used to go singing, if the weather was good, look for snowdrops or other spring flowers (if you can call young guys spring flowers then it probably qualifies in the same category. No?), tell stories and play games.
In Japan, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on two different dates – February 14 and March 14 ( and I think it is similar in Korea?). On the first date, the female gives a gift to the male and on the second date, known as White Day, the male has to return the gift he received on February 14. Thus, strictly speaking, a Japanese female has the luxury of actually choosing her own gift. Chocolate is the most popular gift in Japan. However, since most Japanese females believe that store-bought chocolate is not a gift of true love, they tend to make it themselves. Sweet…

 

The Brazilians – another nationality that doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s on Feb. 14. However, they do celebrate Dia dos Namorados (Day of the Enamored) on June 12, a day chosen to fete love because it’s before St. Anthony’s Day (the marriage saint).

 

Meanwhile, (surprisingly) the men in Mexico show their affection by showing up at their girlfriend’s home with a mariachi band with a few romantic songs while standing underneath their window. When I think about it I might actually like that!

 

Now, last but not least, in order to appreciate all the oddities and traditions of Valentine’s Day around the world I want to share with you what I have read about Wales… In Wales you get a special special gift – you are getting a spoon for Valentine’s Day. A Welsh Love spoon, to be exact. Back in the day, men showed their affection by carving these intricate wooden utensils, and the tradition still exists today… Mhm…

 

Tell me if you have heard about another unusual tradition or please enlighten me on the mentioned customs above as I have only brief information.

So what are you doing today? I’m going to stick with this European celebration of wine with several friends over a movie with half-naked men in action. But for next year I might consider the banned French custom…