Valentine’s Day is a classic. Boxes of chocolates, flowers, dates, and quality time with your significant other. A day where pink and red hearts dominate the scenery and romantic gestures are not only wanted, but expected amongst couples old and new. There are many ways to show love; whether it’s through last minute love letters, park dates, or even nice dinners, not everyone celebrates the same way.

A lot of traditions are born on a whim, but even the most basic of gestures have some sort of history behind them like the flowers seen everywhere. The tradition originated in Sweden after King Charles II learned the language of flowers in Persia.

And the heart shaped chocolate boxes that are sold everywhere in February. Those came to be from a British chocolatier who began packing his chocolates in a ‘fancy’ heart shaped box which was also used to store love letters. Ever since, the idea became extremely popular and chocolate manufacturers were selling chocolates in heart shaped boxes, even decorating the box so it was custom to the person receiving it. 

But Valentine’s Day isn’t only celebrated in the United States. Although celebrated on different dates, the spirit of the holiday carries on in different countries. Denmark celebrates by sending a ‘joke letter’ to the admired. These are original letters with poems and jokes in them. The twist is that there would be no signature, only dots that correspond to the letters of the sender’s name. This tradition then connects to Easter Sunday, where the recipient must guess who the sender is, getting the prize of a chocolate egg if they’re right. 

China who celebrates the Qixi Festival on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. The holiday is based on a legend where a mortal man and goddess fell in love only to be split apart by the goddess’s mother, putting the milky way between them. Moved by the love of the couple, a flock of birds met on the 7th of the 7th lunar month so the couple could meet. Witnessing the love of the two, the goddess’s mother had a change of heart and allowed the two to meet on the 7th of the 7th lunar month forever. 

In China, this festival is now used to express love for one another with classics such as dates and chocolates. The festival is also a time where women bake a sweet pastry known as qiǎoguǒ (Chi-ah-oh-g-woh), which sounds similar to the word for bridge, referencing the meeting place of the goddess and her lover. Traditionally, women also pray to the goddess for a happy life, good husband and wisdom. 

However, in more modern times, younger generations in China celebrate Valentine’s day alongside the US. Women will give their lover chocolates and such, and a month later, men are expected to reciprocate those gifts with something of higher value. 

Every person, culture, and country has their own Valentine’s Day traditions. The spirit of Valentine’s day will remain the same, each new year introducing a new custom. Whether it’s nation-wide, or made with a small group of friends, Valentine’s day is a holiday that connects everyone.