February 15, 2024
DHAKA – Valentine’s Day, primarily a Western construct, comes every year on February 14.
The day originates from a Christian feast day honouring a martyr named Valentine. Some of the most common folklore suggests that this day is related to the persecution of Saint Valentine who performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Roman emperor.
Other tales include stories of him restoring the sight of his jailer’s daughter, to whom he had written a letter signing “Your Valentine” as a goodbye before his execution. Some even relate to an ancient Roman fertility festival.
While the day has evolved into one of the most commercialised holidays over the years, with consumerism seeping through its very fabric, it has surprisingly still held on to its charms somehow.
A day dedicated to love and its expression has not just stuck to the Western world, but also made a mark in Asia, starting wonderful traditions that have effectively perpetuated the celebration of love in this part of the world.
Here are some of the most interesting traditions around Asia that have allowed people to appreciate their loved ones in their own ways.
South Korea
While the world has chosen one day to celebrate their loved ones, South Korea has picked out the fourteenth of each month to make people feel special. Apart from Valentine’s Day, South Koreans also celebrate Diary Day on January 14, White Day on March 14, Black Day on April 14, and Silver Day on July 14, among others.
According to Asia Society, on February 14, women give their partners chocolates as a symbol of their affection. Men, on the other hand, return the favour by giving a present to their significant other on White Day. On Silver Day, couples exchange silver rings that act as promise rings and allow lovers to take their relationships to the next level by discussing their plans to marry.
Japan
Roses, chocolates and jewellery are some of the most common presents to express one’s feelings on Valentine’s Day around the world, but in Japan, chocolates hold a special role.
On Valentine’s Day, Japanese girls must give chocolates to their male friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. However, it is not the act of giving chocolates, but rather the type of chocolates given that take on the job of expressing one’s feelings.
Two types of chocolates are given out on this day; the “giri” chocolate and the “honmei” chocolate. Giri chocolates are given to friends, colleagues, and even relatives as a gesture of appreciation, however, the honmei chocolates are reserved for the expression of true love.
Philippines
In the Philippines, if one has found the right one, and they are ready to take the next step with their partners, the government takes care of the rest.
Weddings can be arduous and financially draining for many young couples. Starting from planning a wedding to actually managing the funds to go through with the many plans one may have for their special day, the entire endeavour begins to take the shape of a cumbersome ordeal.
Thus, according to NBC’s TODAY show, the government of the Philippines has been holding mass weddings on February 14 for the past 10 years, to support couples who wish to ditch the complex ceremonies and focus on the vows.
Taiwan
Roses are seemingly the most popular choice for flowers given on Valentine’s Day. The rich red colour, the intricate pattern of the petals, and the luxurious aroma make it the perfect flower to deliver a message of appreciation and admiration. However, if you are in Taiwan, the number of roses you receive can convey the exact message the sender wishes to send.
According to the travel blog The Innsider, based in the Netherlands, one red rose tells the recipient that they are the sender’s only love, 11 roses mean that the one receiving the roses is the sender’s favourite, 99 roses share a promise of forever and 108 roses are traditionally used to ask a hand in marriage.
Southwest China – Guizhou Province
The Miao ethnic people in Southwest China share an incredibly delicate yet interesting tradition on Valentine’s Day. Each year, women dress in their nicest clothes and adorn themselves with their silver accessories for the Sisters’ Meal Festival.
According to chinahighlights, a tour company, women put tiny objects inside dishes of coloured rice and lay them on white satin.
The women then gift those dishes to the men that have sung to them, and the object inside symbolises their feelings for the man. For example, if one receives cotton, it implies the woman misses the man, or if a man receives Chinese toon sprouts, she wants to marry the man.