Valentine’s Day: The day full of love and candy.
For many Americans, their first memory of Valentine’s Day occurs in early elementary, when their parents take them shopping for cardboard Valentine’s cards to pass out to classmates. It was the bane of parents’ existence, right after Halloween and Christmas.
Americans love the holiday with many taking February 14th off from work to spend time with their significant other, choosing to fill the day with laughter and love.
Restaurants are often booked far in advance, and flower companies see booms in sales during this time of winter. Chocolate and other candies also reach a peak at this time of the year.
Like many other holidays, Valentine’s Day is celebrated and commercialized throughout the United States. Even the entertainment industry capitalizes on the date with over thirty different movies being specifically about the holiday.
But the United States isn’t the only country in the world. In fact, it’s not even the country known for love.
That title goes to France, and the country certainly lives up to its reputation. The holiday is said to originate from this country, with multiple legends explaining its origin. One story suggests that it began after the Duke of Orleans, Charles, wrote a love letter signed “Your Valentine”. Another story claims that Saint Valentine loved to bless young people and so the holiday was named for him. There are other explanations for how this holiday got its name, all of which stem from France, so it’s safe to say that the country certainly has a history with the holiday.
During the celebration, lovers around France, especially in Paris, send letters and cards to the ones they love. An old tradition, une loterie d’amour, had single adults calling out to one another and pairing up for the day. If they were not attracted to their suitor, they would leave at the end of the day.
In addition to February 14th, Argentineans take July 13th through the 20th to exchange sweets and kisses with their lovers and friends, in a similar fashion to Taiwan which takes both February 14th and July 7th to celebrate love.
Other countries, while not strictly celebrating February 14th, still have a day dedicated to love, romantic and platonic.
Brazil has a carnival dedicated to love that runs from February to March, every year! Dia dos enamorados or Lover’s Day is celebrated on June 12 as Brazilians exchange chocolates, flowers, and cards just like Americans. They also have huge musical performances allowing family and friends to join together in music.
While the girls in Japan celebrate love on February 14th, known as giri choco, the men have to wait to return all of the gifts until March 14th, or White Day.
Korea follows in Japan’s footsteps with one added date. On April 14th those unlucky with love observe “Black Day”. On this day, single people gather together to dress in black and share their sorrows over a bowl of Jajangmyeon Noodles, which are also black.
While traditionally chocolate, heart shaped gifts, jewelry, and flowers are gifted on Valentine’s Day, Germans take it one step further. They gift a pig! It’s not always a live one, but it can be given in picture, statue, or chocolate form, and symbolizes luck.
While the origins of Valentine’s Day stem from France, the concept of love itself comes from the Creator of the Universe, God Himself. He calls men to give their life for their brothers and sisters as the purest form of love.
Why does God get to command us to make the ultimate sacrifice?
Because He paid the ultimate price. God Himself came down from Heaven in the purest form of love and gave his life for mankind on the cross.
As Valentine’s Day comes around and the world is consumed with chocolate and kisses, don’t forget the ultimate display of love that Jesus gave on the cross.
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