20 Strange Valentine’s Day Traditions from Around the World
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about chocolates and roses. Around the world, people celebrate love with some truly bizarre and unexpected traditions.
- Chris Graciano
- 5 min read
While many people connect Valentine’s Day with candlelit dinners and heart-shaped presents, several civilizations have established their own unique traditions. From mass weddings in the Philippines to eating black noodles for singles in South Korea, love is exhibited in ways you might not expect. Here are 20 of the most unusual Valentine’s Day traditions from throughout the world.
1. South Korea – Black Noodles for Singles
Luis Yañez on Pexels
In South Korea, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—April 14, known as Black Day, is for those who didn’t receive gifts. Singles gather to eat jajangmyeon, a dish of black bean noodles, to commiserate their love life.
2. Japan – Women Give Men Chocolate
Budgeron Bach on Pexels
Unlike in the West, where men traditionally give gifts, in Japan, it’s women who do the giving. They present giri-choco (obligation chocolate) to male colleagues and honmei-choco (true love chocolate) to romantic partners.
3. Denmark – Secret Love Letters
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Danes celebrate with gaekkebrev, which are playful anonymous poems or love notes. These teasing letters include a riddle, and if the recipient guesses the sender correctly, they receive an Easter egg later in the year. It’s a lighthearted way to confess their feelings.
4. Wales – Wooden Love Spoons
Aphiwat chuangchoem on Pexels
Instead of chocolates, Welsh lovers exchange intricately carved love spoons. This tradition dates back centuries, with each spoon featuring unique symbols representing love, luck, and commitment. These handmade gifts are treasured keepsakes.
5. Taiwan – Bouquets with Hidden Meanings
Cz Jen on Pexels
In Taiwan, flowers speak louder than words. The number of roses given carries significance—one means “you are my only love,” 11 means “my deepest affection,” and 99 symbolizes “forever.” The pressure is on to choose the right number!
6. Philippines – Mass Weddings
Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Pará on Wikimedia Commons
Every Valentine’s Day, thousands of couples in the Philippines participate in mass wedding ceremonies. These large-scale events, often sponsored by the government, allow couples to wed without spending money.
7. Germany – Pigs and Gingerbread Hearts
Camel Min on Pexels
Germans celebrate love with an unusual symbol—pigs. Figurines, chocolates, and decorations featuring pigs represent luck and desire. Lovers also exchange giant gingerbread hearts with sweet messages written in icing.
8. Estonia – Friendship Over Romance
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
In Estonia, February 14 is known as Sõbrapäev, or “Friend’s Day.” Instead of focusing on couples, everyone—friends, family, and even coworkers—exchange gifts and warm wishes.
9. Italy – Love Locks on Bridges
ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels
Inspired by literature, Italians adopted the practice of locking padlocks onto bridges and throwing the key into the water. This symbolizes eternal love and commitment. Though many cities have banned the tradition, it remains a romantic gesture.
10. South Africa – Hearts on Sleeves
ahmet öktem on Pexels
In South Africa, women literally wear their hearts on their sleeves by pinning the names of their crushes to their clothing. This old Roman tradition, Lupercalia, allows secret admirers to reveal their affections. It’s a bold and public declaration of love.
11. Brazil – Love in June, Not February
Ron Lach on Pexels
Since carnival season overshadows February, they created their own romantic holiday. Brazilians celebrate Dia dos Namorados (Lovers’ Day) on June 12 instead of February 14.
12. China – The Qixi Festival
新宇 王 on Pexels
In China, the most romantic day isn’t in February but during the Qixi Festival in August. Inspired by an ancient love story of a weaver girl and a cowherd, couples celebrate with gifts and prayers for lasting love. It’s sometimes called “Chinese Valentine’s Day.”
13. France – The Love Lottery
Eugenia Remark on Pexels
Once, France had an odd matchmaking tradition called Loterie d’Amour, where single men and women would pair up randomly. If someone didn’t like their match, they could abandon them and find another. The practice was eventually banned due to its chaos.
14. Ghana – National Chocolate Day
Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels
To boost the cocoa industry, Ghana replaced Valentine’s Day with National Chocolate Day. Instead of roses and romance, people indulge in locally made chocolate treats. It’s a sweet way to celebrate both love and the country’s major export.
15. England – Jack Valentine’s Mystery Gifts
Kaboompics.com on Pexels
In Norfolk, England, a figure known as Jack Valentine secretly delivers gifts to children and lovers. Some say he’s a romantic version of Santa Claus, sneaking presents onto doorsteps. Though his identity remains a mystery, the tradition lives on.
16. Slovenia – A Day for Farmers
Jake Heinemann on pexels
Slovenians celebrate February 14 as the first day of farming season rather than a day for romance. According to folklore, birds propose to each other on this day. Romantic celebrations come later, on March 12, St. Gregory’s Day.
17. Guatemala – Seniors’ Love Parade
Alina Kurson on Pexels
In Guatemala, the Old Love Parade brings seniors into the spotlight. Dressed in colorful costumes, elderly couples march through the streets, proving that love has no age limit. The celebration is both heartwarming and lively.
18. Bulgaria – Wine Over Romance
cottonbro studio on Pexels
In Bulgaria, February 14 is Trifon Zarezan, a day dedicated to wine rather than love. Couples and singles alike toast to happiness with glasses of locally produced wine because nothing pairs better with love than a good drink.
19. Japan – Valentine’s Day KFC
Huu Huynh on Pexels
In some parts of Japan, it’s common to celebrate Valentine’s Day with fried chicken. While this tradition is stronger on Christmas, some couples make it a part of their February 14 plans as well. It’s an unusual but delicious way to celebrate.
20. Russia – St. Hyacinth’s Day Instead
Roman Ska on Pexels
In some Russian regions, Valentine’s Day isn’t widely recognized. Instead, couples celebrate love on St. Hyacinth’s Day in late August. The alternative date fits better with Orthodox traditions and has a deeper cultural meaning.