Valentine’s Day Traditions Across the Globe

Moldova

On February 24, Romanian and Moldovan children are encouraged to take part in Dragobete, known as a day for lovers, to ensure that their year will be full of love — especially if they meet in front of their church in holiday clothes, look for spring flowers, and the weather is good. Some other Dragobete traditions for people of all ages include cleaning the house and yard, kissing, and banishing negative thoughts to bring forth positive energy and protection from illness. In some rural areas, people enjoy hemp seed cakes and drink tea made from cherry branches. Dragobete is filled with plenty of passed-down superstitions and traditions — and that's what makes it so unique!

Mexico

Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day on the 14th, people in Mexico celebrate both romantic and platonic love with El Día del Amor y la Amistad (The Day of Love and Friendship). This can include all the hallmarks of Valentine’s Day — chocolates, flowers, a nice dinner — but it's totally normal for just friends, too.

South Africa

Here, the tradition is to literally wear your heart on your sleeve, with women pinning the name of their love to their shirt sleeve, paying homage to an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia.

Thailand

Lots of weddings take place on Valentine’s Day in Thailand, and in Bangkok’s Bang Rak "district of love" — one of the most popular places to get married in Thailand — couples who apply for their marriage license have a chance to be chosen to win one of 12 gold marriage certificates offered on that day.

Finland

Similarly, in Finland February 14th is "Friend’s Day" and it's all about celebrating friendships. The holiday only goes back to the 1980s, but it has since become a day where you can give your friend a card or small gift to let them know how much you appreciate them.

Brazil

Valentine’s Day often falls during Brazil’s Carnival celebration, so instead many Brazilians celebrate Dia dos Namorados, or "Lovers Day," on June 12th, which is the eve of Saint Anthony’s Day. Saint Anthony is known as the patron saint of marriage who blesses married couples, and rituals called simpatias seek to help single women find their match.

Philippines

Some local governments sponsor mass weddings on Valentine’s Day in the Philippines, where couples can gather in large venues to simultaneously take their vows. This gives hundreds of people the opportunity to get married without breaking the bank.

United Kingdom

While some still celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th, there’s another celebration in Wales on January 25th called Saint Dwynwen’s Day, named after the patron saint of lovers. One Welsh tradition dating back to the early 17th century is for suitors to carve and give wooden lovespoons, and today the spoons are given on Saint Dwynwen’s Day as well as other celebratory occasions.

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