St. Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day falls on February 14, and is the traditional day on which lovers in certain cultures let each other know about their love, commonly by sending Valentine's cards, which are often anonymous. The history of Valentine's day can be traced back to an obscure Catholic Church feast day, said to be in honor of Saint Valentine, are discussed below. The day's associations with romantic love arrived after the High Middle Ages.

Valentine's Day in Other Cultures

In Japan, and Korea Valentine's Day has emerged, thanks to a concentrated marketing effort, as a day on which women give chocolates to men they like. Rather than being voluntary however, this has become for many women – especially those who work in offices – an obligation, and they give chocolates to all their male co-workers, sometimes at significant personal expense. This chocolate is known as giri-choco (義理チョコ), from the words giri (obligation) and choco, a common short version of chokoreeto (チョコレート), meaning chocolate.

Related Topics:
Japan - Korea

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By a further marketing effort, a reciprocal day, called White Day has emerged. On this day (March 14), men are supposed to return the favour by giving something to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day. Many men, however, give only to their girlfriends. The return gift should be white (hence the name), and is often lingerie.

Related Topics:
White Day - March 14

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In Chinese Culture, there is a similar counterpart of the Valentine's Day. It is called "The Night of Sevens", on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar; the next one being August 11, 2005 http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/77.htm.

Related Topics:
Chinese Culture - The Night of Sevens - August 11 - 2005

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In Brazil, there is no such day as Valentine's Day. Instead, on June 12, "Dia dos Namorados" (or "Boyfriend's/Girlfriend's Day") is celebrated. On this day, boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives, exchange gifts (lingerie, chocolates, and more), cards and usually a flower bouquet. This day is chosen probably because it is one day before the Saint Anthony's day, there known as the marriage saint, when many single women perform popular rituals in order to find a good husband (or, more modernly at least a boyfriend).

Related Topics:
Brazil - June 12 - Saint Anthony

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See also: Chinese Valentine's Day, Saint Valentine's Day Massacre

Related Topics:
Chinese Valentine's Day - Saint Valentine's Day Massacre

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