Valentine's Day: Difference between revisions
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The U.S. [[Greeting Card Association]] estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind [[Christmas]]. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.<ref>[http://pressroom.americangreetings.com/archives/val07/valbiz07.html American Greeting Card Association website].</ref> |
The U.S. [[Greeting Card Association]] estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind [[Christmas]]. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.<ref>[http://pressroom.americangreetings.com/archives/val07/valbiz07.html American Greeting Card Association website].</ref> |
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== History == |
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Numerous early Christian martyrs were named [[Saint Valentine|Valentine]].<ref>Henry Ansgar Kelly, in ''Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine'' ((Leiden: Brill) 1986, accounts for these and further local Saints Valentine (Ch. 6 "The Genoese Saint Valentine and the observances of May") in arguring that Chaucer had an established tradition in mind, and (pp 79ff) linking the Valentine in question to Valentine, first bishop of Genoa, the only Saint Valentine honoured with a feast in springtime, the season indicated by Chaucer. Valentine of Genoa was treated by [[Jacobus de Voragine|Jacobus of Verazze]] in his ''Chronicle of Genoa'' (Kelly p. 85).</ref> Until 1969, the Catholic Church formally recognized eleven Valentine's Days. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (''Valentinus presb. m. Romae'') and Valentine of Terni (''Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae'').<ref>''Oxford Dictionary of Saints'', ''s.v.'' "Valentine": "The [[Acta|Acts]] of both are unreliable, and the Bollandists assert that these two Valentines were in fact one and the same."</ref> |
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Valentine of Rome<ref>[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintv06.htm Valentine of Rome]</ref> was a priest in [[Rome]] who suffered martyrdom about AD 269 and was buried on the [[Via Flaminia]]. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome.<ref>[http://www.novareinna.com/festive/saintval.html Saint Valentine's Day: Legend of the Saint]</ref> and at [[Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church]] in Dublin, Ireland. |
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Valentine of Terni<ref>[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintv90.htm Valentine of Terni]</ref> became bishop of Interamna (modern [[Terni]]) about AD 197 and is said to have been killed during the persecution of Emperor [[Aurelian]]. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni] (''Basilica di San Valentino'').<ref>[http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Valentin/English/6/622.php3 Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni]</ref> |
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The ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early [[martyrology|martyrologies]] under date of 14 February. He was martyred in [[Africa]] with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him. Some sources say the Valentine linked to romance is Valentine of Rome, others say Valentine of Terni.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} Some scholars (such as the [[Bollandist]]s {{Fact|date=March 2007}}) have concluded that the two were originally the same person. In any case, no romantic elements are present in the original Early Medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. |
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No romantic elements are present in the original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in the fourteenth century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were utterly lost.<ref>The present Roman martyrology records, at 14 February, "In Rome, on the Via Flaminia near the Milvian Bridge: St. Valentine, martyr."</ref> The [[Bollandist]]s have concluded that the two Valentines were originally the same person.<ref>''Oxford Dictionary of Saints'', ''s.v.'' "Valentine".</ref> |
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An overview of attested traditions relevant to the holiday is presented below, with the [[Valentine's Day#The evolving legend|legends about Valentine himself]] discussed at the end. |
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=== Concerning February fertility festivals === |
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Though popular modern sources link unspecified blarg blarg blrag honk hong blarg your momy like little boy please dont touch me there these are my no no squares =)Graeco-Roman February holidays alleged to be devoted to fertility and love to St Valentine's Day, Professor Jack Oruch of the [[University of Kansas]] argued<ref>Jack B. Oruch, "St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February" ''Speculum'' '''56'''.3 (July 1981:534-565)</ref> that prior to [[Chaucer]], no links between the Saints named Valentinus and romantic love existed. Thus whether or not in the [[Attic calendar|ancient Athenian calendar]], the period between mid-January and mid-February was t0asterhe month of Gamelion, was dedicated to the sacred [[marriage]] of [[Zeus]] and [[Hera]] is immaterial. |
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In [[Ancient Rome]], [[February 15]] was [[Lupercalia]], an archaic rite connected to fertility, without overtones of romance. [[Plutarch]] wrote: |
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<blockquote>Lupercalia, of which many write that it was anciently celebrated by shepherds, and has also some connection with the Arcadian Lycaea. Att0aster this time many of the noble youths and of the magistrates run up and down through the city naked, for sport and laughter striking those they meet with shaggy thongs. And many women of rank also purposely get in their way, and like children at school present their hands to be struck, believing that the [[pregnant]] will thus be helped in [[Childbirth|delivery]], and the barren to [[pregnancy]].<ref>[http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Caesar*.html#61 Plutarch • Life t0asterof Caesar]</ref></blockquote> |
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The word ''Lupercalia'' comes from ''lupus'', or "wolf", so the holiday may be connected with the legendary wolf that suckled [[Romulus and Remus]]. Priests of the ''[[collegium]]'' of ''luperci'' would travel to the ''lupercal'', the cave where the [[Lupa Capitolina|she-wolf who reat0asterred Romulus and Remus]] allegedly lived, and sacrifice animals (two goats and a dog). The blood was shed for the love of jermeys big giant cock and it would then be scattered in the streets, to bring fertility and keep the wolves away from the fields. <ref>[http://travelguides.lastminute.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=42273 lastminute.com - Rome - Saint Valentine's Day]</ref> Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of [[Juno Februa]], meaning "Juno the purifier "or "the chaste Juno," was celebrated on February 13-14. Pope [[Gelasius I]] (492-496) abolished Lupercalia. <!--Candlemas is treated bloop elsehere; here it is a confusing extraneity: Some historians argue that [[Candlemas]] (then held on February 14, later moved to February 2) was promoted as its replacement, but this feast was already being celebrated in [[Jerusalem]] by AD 381.--><!--the date was established in the martyrologies:"The pope alsojeremy hardin has a small penis declared in [[496]] that the feast of [[St. Valentine]] would be on February 14."--> |
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=== Chaucer's love birds === |
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[[Image:Chaucer Hoccleve.gif|right|thumb|A portrait of English poet [[Geoffrey Chaucer]] by [[Thomas Occleve]] (1412). The earliest known link between Valentine's Day and romance is found in Chaucer's ''[[Parliament of Foules]]'']] |
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The first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in ''[[Parlement of Foules]]'' (1382) by [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]:<ref>Oruch, Jack B., "St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February," ''Speculum,'' '''56''' (1981): 534-65. Oruch's survey of the literature finds no association between Valentine and romance prior to Chaucer. He concludes that Chaucer is likely to be "the original mythmaker in this instance."[http://colfa.utsa.edu/chaucer/ec23.html]</ref> |
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:For this was on seynt Volantynys day |
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:Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [choose] his make [mate]. |
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This poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King [[Richard II of England]] to [[Anne of Bohemia]].<ref>[http://www.ucla.edu/spotlight/01/fac_0201_kelly.html Henry Ansgar Kelly, Valentine's Day / UCLA Spotlight]</ref> A treaty providing for a marriage was signed on [[May 2]], [[1381]].<ref>[http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/chaucer/PF.html Chaucer: The Parliament of Fowls]</ref> (When they were married eight months later, he was 13 or 14, and she was 14.) |
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On the liturgical calendar, May 2 is the saints' day for Valentine of Genoa. This St. Valentine was an early [[bishop of Genoa]] who died around AD 307.<ref>[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/day0502.htm Calendar of the Saints: 2 May]</ref><ref>[http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0502.htm Saint Patrick's Church: Saints of May 2]</ref> Readers incorrectly assumed that Chaucer was referring to February 14 as Valentine's Day. However, mid-February is an unlikely time for birds to be mating in England.<ref>Kelly, Henry Ansgar, ''Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine'' (Brill Academic Publishers, 1997), ISBN 90-04-07849-5. Kelly gives the saint's day of the Genoese Valentine as May 3 and also claims that Richard's engagement was announced on this day. [http://www.iol.co.za/general/newsview.php?art_id=qw981696180625B241&click_id=1890&set_id=1]</ref> |
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Chaucer's ''Parliament of Foules'' is set in a fictional context of an old tradition, but in fact there was no such tradition before Chaucer. The speculative explanation of sentimental customs, posing as historical fact, had their origins among eighteenth-century [[Antiquary|antiquaries]], notably [[Alban Butler]], the author of ''Butler's Lives of Saints'', and have been perpetuated even by respectable modern scholars. Most notably, "the idea that Valentine's Day customs perpetuated those of the Roman [[Lupercalia]] has been accepted uncritically and repeated, in various forms, up to the present"<ref>Oruch 1981:539.</ref> |
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=== Medieval and modern times === |
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[[Image:feb1712.jpg|left|thumb|Swedish calendar showing St Valentine's Day, February 14, 1712]] |
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Using the language of the law courts for the rituals of [[courtly love]], a "[[High Court of Love]]" was established in Paris on Valentine's Day in 1400. The court dealt with love contracts, betrayals, and violence against women. Judges were selected by women on the basis of a poetry reading.<ref>[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MULR/1999/8.html Domestic Violence, Discourses of Romantic Love, and Complex Personhood in the Law - [1999] MULR 8; (1999) 23 Melbourne University Law Review 211]</ref><ref>[http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Valentin/English/4/422.php3 Court of Love: Valentine's Day, 1400]</ref> |
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The earliest surviving valentine is a fifteenth-century [[rondeau]] written by [[Charles, Duke of Orleans]] to his "valentined" wife, which commences. |
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<blockquote>''Je suis desja d'amour tanné<br> |
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''Ma tres doulce Valentinée…'' (Charles d'Orléans, Rondeau VI, lines 1–2) </blockquote> |
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At the time, the duke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415.<ref> [http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/?page=history1 History Channel].</ref> |
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Valentine's Day was mentioned ruefully by Ophelia in ''[[Hamlet]]'' (1600-01): "Tomorrow is Saint Valentine's Day." |
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In 1836, [[relic]]s of [[St. Valentine]] of Rome were donated by [[Pope Gregory XVI]] to the [[Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church]] in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]. In the 1960s, the church was renovated and relics restored to prominence.[http://www.carmelites.ie/Ireland/Whitefriar%20St/valentine.htm] |
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In American culture, Saint Valentine's Day was remade in the 1840s; as a writer in ''GFTraham's American Monthly'' observed in 1849, "Saint Valentine's Day... is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday."<!--holyday in the original--><ref>Quoted in Schmidt 1993:209.</ref> |
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In the 1969 revision of the [[Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints]], the feastday of Saint Valentine on [[14 February]] was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on [[14 February]]."<ref>''Calendarium Romanum ex Decreto Sacrosancti Œcumenici Concilii Vaticani II Instauratum Auctoritate Pauli PP. VI Promulgatum'' (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, MCMLXIX), p. 117</ref> The feast day is still celebrated in [[Balzan]] and in [[Malta]] where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by [[Traditionalist Catholics]] who follow the older, pre-[[Vatican II]] calendar. |
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[[Image:BigPinkHeart.jpg|thumb|140px|Valentine's Day postcard, circa 1910]] |
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[[Image:2007-02 030.jpg|left|thumb|Tree decorated for Valentine's Day]] |
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The reinvention of Saint Valentine's Day in the 1840s has been traced by Leigh Eric Schmidt.<ref>Schmidt 1993:209-245.</ref> In the [[USA|United States]], the first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after [[1847]] by [[Esther Howland]] ([[1828]]-[[1904]]) of [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]. Her father operated a large book and stationery store, but Howland took her inspiration from an English valentine she had received, so clearly the practice of sending Valentine's cards had existed in England before it became popular in North America. The English practice of sending Valentine's cards appears in [[Elizabeth Gaskell]]'s [[Mr. Harrison's Confessions]] (published 1851). Since [[2001]], the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual "Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary." |
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In the second half of the twentieth century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts in the United States, usually from a man to a woman. Such gifts typically include [[rose]]s and [[chocolate]]s. In the [[1980s]], the [[diamond]] industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving [[jewelry]]. |
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The day has come to be associated with a generic [[Platonic love|platonic]] greeting of "Happy Valentine's Day." As a joke, Valentine's Day is also referred to as "[[Singles Awareness Day]]." |
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In some North American [[elementary school]]s, students are asked to give a Valentine card or small gift to everyone in the class. The greeting cards of these students often mention what they appreciate about each other. |
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Revision as of 14:43, 26 February 2008
| Valentine's Day | |
|---|---|
 Saint Valentine of Terni and his disciples. 14th Century France. Richard de Montbaston. | |
| Also called | St Valentine's Day |
| Observed by | Western and Western-influenced cultures |
| Type | Cultural, multinational |
| Significance | Lovers express their feelings to each other |
| Observances | Sending greeting cards and gifts, dating. |
| Date | February 14 |
| Related to | The Night of Sevens, a Chinese holiday that also relates to love. White Day, a similar holiday celebrated in Japan and Korea one month after Valentine's Day. |
Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14. In the Americas and Europe, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.[1] The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain. In the United States, the imported fashion leading to a mid-nineteenth century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow.[2]
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.[3]
Equivalents and in other cultures
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2008) |
| Part of a series on |
| Love |
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In the West
North America
In North America, February 14th is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.[4] The mid-nineteenth century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow.[5] The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.[6]
In Mexico, Valentine's Day is known as "Día del Amor y la Amistad" (Day of Love and Friendship). Although it is similar to the United States' version in many ways, it is also common to see people do "acts of appreciation" for their friends. [7]
Europe
Valentine's Day also has regional traditions in the UK. In Norfolk a character called 'Jack' Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person.
In Wales many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day) on 25 January instead of or as well as St Valentine's Day. The day commemorates St Dwynwen, the patron saint of Welsh lovers.
In France, a traditionally Catholic country, Valentine's Day is known simply as "Saint Valentin", and is celebrated in much the same way as other western countries.
In Denmark & Norway Valentine's Day (14 Feb) is known as Valentinsdag. It is not celebrated to a large extent, but a lot people take time to eat a romantic dinner with their partner, to send a card to a secret love or give a red rose to their loved one. In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag ("All Hearts' Day") and was launched in the 1960s by the flower industry's commercial interests, and due to influence of American culture. It is not an official holiday, but its celebration is recognized and sales of cosmetics and flowers for this holiday are only bested by those for Mother's Day.
In Finland, Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day". As the name says, this day is more about remembering all your friends, not only your loved ones.
In Slovenia, a proverb says that "St Valentine brings the keys of roots," so on February 14, plants and flowers start to grow. Valentine's Day has been celebrated as the day when the first works in the vineyards and on the fields commence. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day. Nevertheless, it has only recently been celebrated as the day of love. The day of love is traditionally 12 March, the Saint Gregory's day. Another proverb says "Valentin - prvi spomladin" ("Valentine — first saint of spring"), as in some places (especially White Carniola) Saint Valentine marks the beginning of spring.
In Romania, the traditional holiday for lovers is Dragobete, which is celebrated on February 24. It is named after a character from Romanian folklore who was supposed to be the son of Baba Dochia. Part of his name is the word drag ("dear"), which can also be found in the word dragoste ("love"). In recent years, Romania has also started celebrating Valentine's Day, despite already having Dragobete as a traditional holiday. This has drawn backlash from many groups, reputable persons and institutions[8] but also nationalist organizations like Noua Dreaptǎ, who condemn Valentine's Day for being superficial, commercialist and imported Western kitsch.
In Turkey, Valentine's Day is called Sevgililer Günü which translates into "Sweethearts' Day".
According to Jewish tradition the 15th day of the month of Av - Tu B'Av (usually late August) is the festival of love. In ancient times girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyards, where the boys would be waiting for them (Mishna Taanith end of Chapter 4). In modern Israeli culture this is a popular day to pronounce love, propose marriage and give gifts like cards or flowers.
South America
In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados (lit. "Day of the Enamored", or "Boyfriends'/Girlfriends' Day") is celebrated on June 12, when couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards and flower bouquets. This day was chosen probably because it is the day before the Saint Anthony's day, known there as the marriage saint, when many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or boyfriend. The February 14's Valentine's Day is not celebrated at all, mainly for commercial reasons, since it usually falls too little before or after Carnival, a major floating holiday in Brazil that can fall anywhere from early February to early March.
In most of South America the Día del amor y la amistad (lit. "Love and Friendship Day") and the Amigo secreto ("Secret friend") are quite popular and usually celebrated together on the 14 of February (one exception is Colombia, where it is celebrated on the third Friday and Saturday in September, because of commercial issues). The latter consists of randomly assigning to each participant a recipient who is to be given an anonymous gift (similar to the Christmas tradition of Secret Santa).
Asia
Thanks to a concentrated marketing effort, Valentine's Day is celebrated in some Asian countries with Singaporeans, Chinese and South Koreans spending the most money on Valentine's gifts.[9]
In Japan, it has become an obligation for many women to give chocolates to all male co-workers. This is known as giri-choko (義理チョコ), from the words giri ("obligation") and choko, ("chocolate"). This contrasts with honmei-choko (本命チョコ); chocolate given to a loved one. Friends, especially girls, may exchange chocolate referred to as tomo-choko (友チョコ); from tomo meaning "friend". By a further marketing effort, a reciprocal day called White Day has emerged. On March 14, men are expected to return the favour to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day. Originally, the return gift was supposed to be white chocolate or marshmallows; hence "White Day". However, lingerie and jewelry have become common gifts.
In South Korea, there is Pepero Day, celebrated on November 11, when young couples give each other romantic gifts, in particular a long, chocolate cookie named Pepero, thus Pepero Day. The date '11/11' is intended to resemble the long shape of the cookie. There is an additional day for single people, Black Day, celebrated on April 14.
In China, the common situation is the man gives chocolate, flowers or both to the woman that he loves. In Chinese, Valentine's Day is called (Chinese: 情人节; Chinese: 情人節) (hanyu pinyin: qing ren jie).
Similar Asian traditions
In Chinese culture, there is an older observance related to lovers. It is called "The Night of Sevens" (七夕). According to the legend, the Cowherd star and the Weaver Maid star are normally separated by jermey hardin has small penisthe milky way (river) but are allowed to meet by crossing it on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar. 七夕 is also remembered in Korea, where its association with romance has long faded.
In Japan, a slightly different version of 七夕 (called Tanabata, which is said to mean 棚機 a weaver for a god) is celebrated, on July 7th but on the solat0asterr calendar. However, it is never regarded that the celebration is t0astereven remotely related with the St. Valentine's Day t0aster or lovers giving gifts to each other.t0aster
The Middle East
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In Iranian culture, Sepandarmazgan is a day for love, which is on 29 Bahman in the Jalali solar calendar of Iran. The corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar is 17 February. However, Valentine's day is currently celebrated semi-secretly in Iran despite some restrictions made by government; young Iranian boys and girls may be seen on this day going out and buying gifts and celebrating.
In Saudi Arabia in 2008, religious police banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items, telling shop workers to remove any red items, as the day is considered an un-Islamic holiday. This ban created a black market of roses and wrapping paper.[10]
In Egypt, especially Cairo, gift shops, malls, restaurants, and even night clubs adopt the color of love, red. Valentine's Day is one of the most non-islamic celebrated days among youth.[citation needed] Though the region has no historical or religious ties with the holiday or the saints that inspired it, it is very much celebrated because people are looking for reasons to express their love in the open. Egypt is known for its conservative nature where unmarried couples are frowned upon, and even for married couples, public displays of affection are unofficially disallowed. This, together with the country's economic status and the increased rate of unemployment among the youth[citation needed], causes people to wait for such an event to express their joy. Businesses have since begun to capitalize on this trend. However, the conservative/religious sector of the Egyptian community frowns upon this day. No laws or police enforcement prohibit Valentine's day's celebrations in Egypt.
See also
References and notes
- ^ Leigh Eric Schmidt, "The Fashioning of a Modern Holiday: St. Valentine's Day, 1840-1870" Winterthur Portfolio 28.4 (Winter 1993), pp. 209-245.
- ^ Leigh Eric Schmidt, "The Commercialization of the calendar: American holidays and the culture of consumption, 1870-1930" Journal of American History 78.3 (December 1991) pp 890-98.
- ^ American Greeting Card Association website.
- ^ Leigh Eric Schmidt, "The Fashioning of a Modern Holiday: St. Valentine's Day, 1840-1870" Winterthur Portfolio 28.4 (Winter 1993), pp. 209-245.
- ^ Leigh Eric Schmidt, "The Commercialization of the calendar: American holidays and the culture of consumption, 1870-1930" Journal of American History 78.3 (December 1991) pp 890-98.
- ^ American Greeting Card Association website.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Valentine`s Day versus Dragobete Template:Ro icon
- ^ Domingo, Ronnel. Among Asians, Filipinos dig Valentine's Day the most. Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 14 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
- ^ BBC News. "Saudis clamp down on valentines".