As the Christmas season ends, the preparation for the holiday of lovers begins. Suddenly the minute the clock turns midnight on January 31st, champagne glasses start to disappear, new year’s resolutions become untouched, and party hats become scarce. Soon stores are filled to the rim with heart-shaped items, chocolates of every kind, and every valentine’s day card known to man. But are these traditions only here in the US?

So what’s so special about February 14th? February 14th is Valentine’s Day where lovers can celebrate their romance. The origins of valentine’s day are unknown, except that it contains both Christian and Roman heritage and is surrounded by one anonymous saint. This is because the catholic church recognizes three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, as mentioned in history.com. One legend says that a priest disagreed with Emperor Claudius II, who decided that single men made better soldiers, so he outlawed marriage for all young men. When his resistance was discovered, he was put to death. While another legend states that the holiday is in honor of Saint Valentine of Terini, who Claudius beheaded, according to history.com. Among other legends, one says Valentine was imprisoned and sent the first “valentine” after falling in love with a young girl. It states how he also came up with the iconic term “From your Valentine.” 

Some believe that Valentine’s Day was a day to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death. While others think that it originated as a celebration of Lupercalia: the festival of fertility and the gods Romulus and Remus. But it wasn’t until later in the Middle Ages that Valentine’s Day was officially associated with love. In France and England, it was commonly considered that February 14 was the beginning of “birds’ mating season,” as stated on history.com. 

Valentine’s day is also a worldwide holiday. It is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, China, Korea, and in Japan to name a few. But it is not celebrated the same in every country. For example, in Japan, women give chocolates to men, and the gift of cards is not common. Along with South Korea and China, Japan also celebrates White Valentine’s Day. Which takes place on March 14th; all the men who received a gift from their spouse on valentine’s day must return the favor by giving their significant other a gift. As stated in bbc.uk, although this tradition is fairly new since it was incorporated 40 years ago, it has been introduced in tv shows and anime. “I see white day mentioned in pretty much any romance anime because it’s such an easy plot device to get some funny misunderstandings and cute confessions. It’s interesting how different cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day differently and this one is definitely a unique spin.” 

Another country that has unique traditions is Germany, in which customs of ginger cookies and pig-related items are exchanged for each other In Germany, a pig is believed to be a symbol of love and lust, as mentioned in Today.com. 

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While opposite White Day, single South Korean citizens uniquely take a holiday: Black Day. On April 14, singles are recognized and celebrated with a bowl of jajangmyeon,which is a bowl of noodles in black bean sauce, according to Today.com. While for some people, Valentine’s Day is a day of love, for others, it is a day of “self- love” and appreciation of yourself. “Some traditions I have on Valentine’s Day are treating and taking care of myself. Valentine’s day is not only about showing love to others but showing love to yourself and appreciating yourself,” states Reese Gutierrez 10). 

So, whether it’s watching a cheesy Netflix rom com, kissing under a cherry tree for good luck (Czech Republic), eating jajangmyeon, or trading love letters, every country has a unique way of celebrating valentine’s day.