From crush confessions in South Korea to chocolate in Ghana, cultures worldwide cherish close ones through unique expressions of love.
Valentine’s Day Decorations in the Philippines. Judgefloro. CC0.
Valentine’s Day is well-known around the world as a way to express one’s love for others. In the United States, it is traditionally associated with romance and passion, as many emphasize their relationships with their significant others. It is usually marked by heartfelt gift-giving, such as exchanging cards, chocolates or flowers as symbols of love. However, how and when Valentine’s Day is celebrated varies across countries; while some celebrate on different days, others prioritize themes of friendship or mark the day with their own customs. However, no matter how the holiday is celebrated, love remains its central value in cultures across the globe.
South Korean Couple Holding Hands. Gunman47. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
1. South Korea
Like many other countries, South Koreans observe Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 every year. However, the 14th of every month in Korea marks a “love day” in which couples celebrate their relationship in different ways. Valentine’s Day is the biggest love day in South Korea and differs from the traditions that are most associated with gift-giving. Unlike typical Western customs, South Korean women traditionally give chocolate and other sweet gifts to men as a sign of their affection. This custom can include couples, but it also invites single women to confess feelings to their crushes by giving them a piece of chocolate. If he reciprocates these affections, he will return the gift with something higher in value on March 14. It is on this other love day, known as “White Day,” that men traditionally take part in gift-giving for their significant other.
Collective Wedding in The Philippines. FBenjr123. CC BY-SA 4.0.
2. The Philippines
Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated in the Philippines. Those in the country commemorate the day by buying gifts for their loved ones, displaying heart decorations on buildings and generally celebrating love through romantic gestures. However, what makes the holiday unique for Filipino couples is the country’s tradition of mass weddings. Providing a cost-friendly way to celebrate the union of two individuals, the Filipino government started offering free weddings for couples on Valentine’s Day. Since 2008, this has become the country’s most popular day for weddings, with the most popular location being in Metropolitan Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
Valentine’s Day Lights in Taipei. 郭安澤 Andrew Kuo. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
3. Taiwan
Differing slightly from other cultures, couples in Taiwan celebrate love on a different day than Feb. 14, during a celebration called the Qixi Festival. Based on the Chinese Lunar calendar, the holiday is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of every year, falling on Aug. 29, 2025. The Qixi Festival’s creation story describes star-crossed lovers, Zhinü, the daughter of heaven’s emperor, and Niulang, a cowherd, as they are forced apart by Zhinü’s father and a large river between earth and heaven. As the story goes, deities, moved by the couple’s love, form a bridge so that the two can meet on the seventh day of the seventh month every year. This day has been observed in Taiwan for more than 2,000 years and is celebrated much like a traditional Valentine’s Day. Romantic activities are a popular way of showing love, such as through exchanging gifts or eating sweet desserts. Stargazing, in particular, is a common activity due to the celestial nature of the holiday.
Valentine’s Day Parade in Oaxaca. nunavut. CC BY-NC 2.0.
4. Mexico
Rather than focusing on Valentine’s Day’s traditional themes of romance, Mexican celebrants emphasize family and loving friendships, referring to the day as “El Dia Del Amor y Amistad.” While the celebration is also observed on Feb. 14, romantic relationships and activities do not take the forefront. Rather, showing love and appreciation for one’s family and friends is most common. Like Valentine’s Day, streets throughout Mexico are adorned with bright red decorations that visibly mark the holiday. Balloons are also significant, as gifting them to others and releasing them on the day helps individuals express how much they care about each other. In addition, love and appreciation are marked by exchanging special gifts, hiring mariachi bands or planning grand banquets or feasts.
Elderly Couple in Guatemala. Guillenperez. CC BY-ND 2.0.
5. Guatemala
Much like Mexico, those in Guatemala observe Valentine’s Day through El Dia del Carino, a celebration just as much about friendship and family as it is about love. On this day of affection, Guatemalans express their love for those close to them, ranging from romantic connections to colleagues or acquaintances. In doing so, participants of the festivities use this time to celebrate in many of the same ways as those in the U.S., such as through exchanging gifts, eating chocolate and decorating with flowers. Friendships are especially important on this day, inviting individuals to call or spend time with their close friends as a way to show their appreciation. Senior citizens in the country have their own celebration dedicated to eternal love, known as “The Old Love Parade,” a festival in which elderly couples dress up in clothes from their youth and perform dances on parade floats.
Ghanaian Chocolate on Chocolate Day. Seticals 2310. CC BY 4.0.
6. Ghana
In Ghana, Valentine’s Day is also considered a time of widespread celebration of love and romance. Traditional Valentine’s activities, such as going on dates with significant others and expressing love through romantic gestures, are popular throughout the country. What makes these celebrations even more special, however, is the additional celebration of National Chocolate Day. The most popular of Ghana’s exported products, cocoa is very important to the country’s tourism and economy. In 2005, the Ghanaian government instituted National Chocolate Day to coincide with the popularity of Valentine’s Day to promote its chocolate products within the country. Now, chocolate has become a very important part of Valentine’s celebrations, found in almost all gifts and gestures, even becoming a symbol of love for those who take part.
Celebrating Sõbrapäev in Estonia. Merle ja Joonas. CC BY-ND 2.0.
7. Estonia
Friendships also take precedence during Valentine’s Day for the people of Estonia, naming the day Sobrapaev or “Friend’s Day.” Mostly observed as a day to celebrate platonic relationships, the holiday began in the 1980s as a way to encourage schoolchildren to make gifts for friends but soon found its way to adults. It is a time to not only tend to one’s romantic connections but also to remember friends and family. Since its formation, several traditions have become associated with the holiday, such as live music concerts and folk dances, or eating customary Estonian dishes and candy. Among many of the traditions undertaken on this day is that of “love buses,” in which single people can take a ride on a special bus where they can meet others to potentially find love.
Julia Kelley
Julia is a recent graduate from UC San Diego majoring in Sociocultural Anthropology with a minor in Art History. She is passionate about cultural studies and social justice, and one day hopes to obtain a postgraduate degree expanding on these subjects. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.