Valentine's Day Around the World - China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore

>

Come 14 February there is probably not a corner of the earth that is not caught up in the fervour of Valentine's Day. Criss-crossing continents, reaching even remote corners, Valentine's Day celebrations have transcended all geographical boundaries, cultural beliefs and languages. 14 February is one particular day which unites all lovers of the entire world, when fancy and romance fill the air -- and exchanging presents and cards concerning lovers will become the number 1 exercise of the day!

Even while the critical spirit of Valentine's Day is observed all about the universe, just about every region has embellished it with its personal distinct just take on the celebrations. Consider a peep into how Valentine's Day is celebrated in China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

The Qi Xi Festival: Valentine's Day in China

The Qi Xi Festival is the Chinese equivalent of Valentine's Day. It is, then again, not celebrated on 14 February like the rest of the universe, but is guided by the lunar calendar -- falling on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar every single yr. In 2009, Qi Xi was observed on 26 August, whereas in 2010 this date will be sixteen August.

Legends surround the genesis of Qi Xi but the well-known thread of a tragic really like story runs by means of all of them. It is considered that it is on this Chinese Valentine's Day the star-crossed few -- a cowherd and a weaver -- meets in heaven every single 12 months. Getting been banished for an eternity of separation by the Goddess of Heaven, it is only when a 12 months that she relents and allows for magpies to put together a bridge for them to meet.

On this day, younger, unmarried ladies engage in melon carving and show their other domestic skills as they desire for a good partner.

Valentine's Day in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

Do you know that Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have two Valentine's Day in a year -- one on 14 February and the 2nd, a month afterwards, on 14 March?

Lots of hearts break and mend on Valentine's Day but most likely nowhere else does a chocolate seal the happiness of a male as definitely as it does in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan! Roles get reversed in these South Asian countries exactly where it is the ladies who give chocolates to all the males in their lives on Valentine's Day. Not astonishingly, the chocolate assumes great importance for these males, notably the choice of chocolate that is offered. Retail store-bought stuff is known as 'giri-choco' which is alot more or a lot less a 'courtesy chocolate'. As the identify suggests, it is largely given out of courtesy to these males in whom the lady has no romantic fascination in any way (the smitten and hapless male lives in dread of getting this 'gift'). Individuals who have captured the honest maiden's hearts are rewarded with delightful, homemade chocolates, or the 'honmei-choko'!

White Day!

A month afterwards, on March 14, it is payback time as the guys give return gifts to all the females who presented them with chocolates. This is regarded as the White Day. Very well, it is practically like obtaining two Valentine's Days in a yr! Started off in Japan in 1978, it was intended to be the remedy to Valentine's Day. The men often shower the women with candies, chocolates (white chocolate in particular) and marshmallows.

Black Day

When both Japan and South Korea observe White Day, the singles in South Korea have formulated a second day that is unique to them. Described as the 'Black Day', it is 'celebrated' a thirty day period afterwards (on 14 April) to lament their still-single position! Lonely hearts mark the day by dressing in proper dim-coloured outfits, ingesting noodles with black bean sauce and mingling with other singletons!

Valentine's Day in Singapore

Despite the fact that flowers have at all times been an inseparable component of Valentine's Day all more than the universe, it is Singapore that honestly gets a flower-decked nation on 14 February! This island nation has a large youth population for whom Valentine's Day is a significant event. Cupid-struck Singaporeans only are unable to have plenty of of flowers -- and additional flowers! - to express their heart's want for their sweethearts. For a smitten young guy, a flower gets to be a lot extra than just an alluring presenting but relatively the unspoken language of his like.

Roses dominate the day, keeping court in all their countless-hued splendour. The incredibly air is crammed with the exotic fragrance of roses of each potential colour on Valentine's Day.

Of late, a pattern that is catching on amid kids is to look outside of the rose as the old fashioned flower for Valentine's Day. Many who desire to make a 'flower statement' opt for other blooms these as tasteful tulips and orchids (the flower of everlasting like) on Valentine's Day in Singapore.