Saint Valentine's Day, commonly known as Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them. It is the second most celebrated holiday around the world second to New Year's Day.
Portugal
It is more commonly referred to as 'Dia dos Namorados ' ( Lover's Day / Day of those that are in love with each other).
Denmark and Norway
It is known as Valentinsdag, it is not celebrated to large extent, but is largely imported from American culture and some 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.
Sweden
It is called Alla hjärtans dag ( 'All Hearts' Day ') and was launched in the 1960s by the flower industry's commercial interests, it is not an official holiday, but its celebration is recognised and sales of cosmetics and flowers.
Finland
It is called Ystävänpäivä ' Friend's Day ' . This day is more about remembering all your friends, not only your loved ones.
Estonia
It is called Sõbrapäev , which has the same meaning as Finland's.
Slovenia
St Valentine or Zdravko was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health and the patron of beekeepers and pilgrims. A proverb says that ' St Valentine brings the key of roots' . Plants and flowers start to grow on this day. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day.
Romania
Traditional holiday for lovers is Dragobete, which is celebrated on February 24. Romania has also started celebrating Valentine's day, despite already having Dragobete as a traditional holiday.
Lithuania and Latvia
It is common for people to put stickers on faces and clothing of a friend or a relative. The holiday was first celebrated after the two countries gained independence from Soviet Union in 1990.
Greece and Cyprus
It is called Ημέρα του Αγίου Βαλεντίνου . In the Orthodox church there is another Saint to protect people who are in love, but for Greeks Valentine's Day is more popular.
Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico
It is called ' Dia del Amor y la Amistad ' ( Day of Love and Friendship ) , in which people perform ' acts of appreciation ' for their friends.
Guatemala
It is known as the "Día del Cariño" ( Affection Day ).
Brazil
The Dia dos Namorados ( Lovers' Day ) is celebrated on June 12, in which many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias , in order to find a good husband or boyfriend. Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards and flowers bouquets. Valentine's Day is not celebrated at all because it usually falls too little before or after the Brazilian Carnival.
Venezuala
President said in a meeting to his supporters for the upcoming referendum vote on February 15, that on 14th there will be no time of doing nothing, nothing or next to nothing... maybe a little kiss or something very superficial , he recommended people to celebrate a week of love after the referendum vote
South Korea , and Japan
The 14th of every month marks a love-related day, although most of them are obscure. From January to December: Candle Day, Valentine's Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day.
Women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14. On April 14, those who did not receive anything on 14 February or March go to a Korean restaurant to eat black noodles (자장면 jajangmyeon) and ' mourn their single life.
China
It is called 情人节 or Valentine's Day , also , there is a ' Chinese Valentine's Day (七夕- Qixi Festival ) celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
Taiwan
The situation is the reverse of Japan's. Men give gifts to women on Valentine's Day, and women return them on the White Day.
Philippines
It is called ' Araw ng mga Puso ' ( Hearts Day ) . It is usually marked by a steep increase in the prices of flowers.
Iran
The Sepandarmazgan or Esfandegan is a festival where people express love towards their mothers and wives, and also a celebration of earth in ancient Persian culture. It has nothing in common with the Saint Valentine celebration, except for a superficial similarity in giving affection and gifts to loved ones.
Conflict with Islamic countries and political policies.
Saudi Arabia
In 2002 and 2011, religious police banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items, telling shop workers to remove any red items, as the say is considered a Christian holiday. In 2008 this ban created a black market of roses and wrapping papers.
Pakistan
Jamaat-e-Islami political party has called for the banning of Valentine's Day celebration. Despite this, the celebration is becoming popular among urban youth and the florists expect to sell great amount of flowers, especially red roses.
Malaysia
Islamic officials in Malaysia warned Muslims against celebrating Valentine's Day, linking it with
vice activities. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the celebration of romantic love was ' not suitable' for Muslims.
' Awas Jerat Valentine's Day ' ( Mind the Valentine's Day Trap ) campaign was implemented to prevent Muslims from celebrating the day on 14 February 2011. Activities include conducting raids in hotels to stop young couples from having unlawful sex and distributing leaflets to Muslim university students warming them against the day.
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