Valentine's day Worldwide - Isiah Waxman

Valentine’s day has always been a landmark of love in all forms in the US, its concept spawning several tender traditions which span all political and societal institutions. It’s arguably quite an important day, but how are variations of it enjoyed outside of our home country? 

In Brazil, there is a holiday known as Dia dos Namorados, which is celebrated the day before Anthony of Padua’s death, June 12. Anthony was a well-known catholic priest who is known to have helped struggling couples, and is recognized as a brazilian army general in the country, although he never was one. Couples on this day exchange gifts and spend time together much like in the US and other countries, and home decorations as well as dance festivals or parades are common. The day after, the day of his death, is known as Saint Anthony’s Day, a day in honor of him.

The Qixi festival is a Chinese festival which celebrates the folklore love tale of Zhinü (the weaver girl) and Niulang (the cowherd) (who represent the constellations Vega and Altair respectively). It is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month in the Chinese Calendar, which should fall on the 29th of August this year. Niulang is told by one of his cows that there are fairies bathing nearby, so after Niulang falls in love with one, he steals her clothes so she is forced to stay on earth. They marry, but the Jade Emperor (the ruler of heaven in Chinese myth) is furious. Zhinu is taken back to heaven, but the Queen Mother of the West feels sympathy for the man, so she builds a bridge of magpies, where Niulang and Zhinu are allowed to meet once a year.

White Day is a popular holiday in several Asian countries, including China, South Korea, and Taiwan. It’s celebrated exactly a month after Valentines day (which is, as well, celebrated there) and is intended to be a day for men and boys to reciprocate gifts and candies given to them by women or girls. It originated when a now-defunct Fukuoka based company first advertised marshmallows to men on March 14, thus, in 1978, spawning a day where men give gifts garbed in white or white confectionaries to women.