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{{short description|Holiday observed on February 14}}
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{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name  = Valentine's Day
| nickname      = Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine
| image         = Antique_Valentine_1909_01.jpg
| caption       = A Valentine's card, {{circa|1909}}
| observedby    = * People in many countries
* [[Anglican Communion]] (see [[List of Anglican Church calendars|calendar]])
*[[Lutheran Church]] (see [[Calendar of Saints (Lutheran)|calendar]])
* [[Catholic Church]] (see [[General Roman Calendar of 1960|calendar]])<ref group="notes">St. Valentine's February 14 feast day was removed by the [[Catholic Church]] from the [[General Roman Calendar]] in 1969 due to historical uncertainty about the saint (It was replaced with the feast day of Saints [[Cyril and Methodius]]). However, Saint Valentine's feast day remains celebrated on February 14 in some local liturgical calendars and by [[traditionalist Catholics]] who use the pre-[[Vatican II]] General Roman Calendar. The [[Roman Martyrology]] also remembers him on February 14.</ref>
| duration      = 1 day
| frequency     = Annual
| scheduling    = 
| date          = *February 14<br />''(fixed by [[Western Christianity]])''
* July 6<br />''(fixed by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]])''
* July 30<br />''(fixed by the Eastern Orthodox Church)''
| observances   = Sending greeting cards and gifts, dating, church services, novenas
| type          = Christian
| longtype      = Christian, romantic, cultural, commercial observance
| significance  = Feast day of [[Saint Valentine]]; the celebration of love and affection
| relatedto     = 
}}
{{Love sidebar|related}}

[[File:Ergersheim NDAltbronn 46.JPG|thumb|[[Saint Valentine]]]]

'''Valentine's Day''', also called '''Saint Valentine's Day''' or the '''Feast of Saint Valentine''',<ref>''Chambers 21st Century Dictionary'', Revised ed., Allied Publishers, 2005, {{ISBN|9780550142108}}.</ref> is celebrated annually on February 14.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Valentine's Day: Definition, History, & Traditions|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214045422/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day|url-status=live}}</ref> It originated as a Christian [[feast day]] honoring a [[Christian martyrs|martyr]] named [[Saint Valentine|Valentine]], and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of [[Romance (love)|romance]] and love in many regions of the world.<ref name="Kithcart2013">{{cite web |last1=Kithcart |first1=David |title=St. Valentine, the Real Story |url=https://www1.cbn.com/st-valentine-real-story |publisher=[[Christian Broadcasting Network]] |access-date=February 14, 2021 |language=en |date=September 25, 2013 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215071408/https://www1.cbn.com/st-valentine-real-story |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Murphy2022">{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Stephen |title=Love-seekers flock to St Valentine's resting place in Dublin for blessings |url=https://news.sky.com/story/love-seekers-flock-to-st-valentines-resting-place-in-dublin-for-blessings-12542134 |publisher=[[Sky News]] |access-date=March 7, 2023 |language=en |date=February 14, 2022 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324140950/https://news.sky.com/story/love-seekers-flock-to-st-valentines-resting-place-in-dublin-for-blessings-12542134 |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are a number of martyrdom stories associated with various Saint Valentines connected to February 14,<ref>Ansgar, 1986, ''Chaucer and the Cult of Saint valentine'', pp. 46–58.</ref> including an account of the imprisonment of Saint [[Valentine of Rome]] for ministering to Christians [[Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire|persecuted under the Roman Empire]] in the third century.<ref name="Cooper2013">{{cite book|last=Cooper|first=J.C.|title=Dictionary of Christianity|date=October 23, 2013|publisher=Routledge|language=en |isbn=9781134265466|page=278}}</ref><ref name=ChryssidesWilkins2014/> According to an early tradition, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his jailer.<ref name="Ball1993">{{cite book|last=Ball|first=Ann|title=A Litany of Saints|date=January 1, 1992|publisher=[[Our Sunday Visitor|OSV]]|language=en|isbn=9780879734602}}</ref> Numerous later additions to the legend have better related it to the theme of love: tradition maintains that Saint Valentine performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Roman emperor;<ref name="ChryssidesWilkins2014">{{cite book |last1=Chryssides |first1=George D. |last2=Wilkins |first2=Margaret Z. |title=Christians in the Twenty-First Century |date=2014 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-317-54557-6 |language=en |quote=The association between Valentine and lovers derives from a legend associated with Valentine of Rome. Emperor Claudius II wanted to recruit soldiers for the Roman army, and prohibited young men from marrying, in case homesickness for wives, homes and families should impair their military prowess. He also opposed the Christian faith, encouraging its persecution. Valentine, a physician priest, offered help to Christians whose lives were in peril and, although celibate himself, performed secret marriage rites for young men and women, defying the emperor's decree. He was discovered and imprisoned.}}</ref> an 18th-century embellishment to the legend claims he wrote the jailer's daughter a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell before his execution.<ref name="Guiley2001">{{cite book|last=Guiley|first=Rosemary|title=The Encyclopedia of Saints|year=2001|publisher=[[Infobase Publishing]]|language=en |isbn=9781438130262|page=341}}</ref>

The 8th-century [[Gelasian Sacramentary]] recorded the celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14.<ref name="Schuster1927">{{cite book |last1=Schuster |first1=Ildefonso |title=The Sacramentary: (Liber Sacramentorum) : Historical & Liturgical Notes on the Roman Missal |date=1927 |publisher=Burns, Oates & Washbourne Ltd. |page=429 |language=English |quote=VALENTINE, PRIEST AND MARTYR Station at the Cemetery of Valentine on the Via Flaminia. The festival of this martyr, who suffered during the persecution under the Emperor Claudius II, is to be found in the Gelasian Sacramentary. His sepulchral basilica on the Via Flaminia, built by Pope Julius I (341–52), and restored by Honorius I, was the first to greet the pilgrims as they approached the Eternal City, eagerly desirous of visiting the sepulchres of the ancient heroes of the Faith.}}</ref><ref name="Polcar1894">{{cite web |last1=Polcar |first1=P. |title=Gelasian Sacramentary 2.8–12 |url=http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E06541 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |date=1894 |quote=XVI Kal. Mart. in natali Valentini, Vitalis, et Feliculae. '14 February on the feast of Valentinus, Vitalis, and Felicula.' [*Valentinus, bishop of Terni (Interamna) and martyr of Rome, S00434; *Vitalis and Felicula, martyrs of Spoleto, *S01917] ''Three Prayers listed'' |work=The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world |access-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218203738/http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E06541 |url-status=live }}</ref> The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries, when notions of [[courtly love]] flourished, apparently by association with the "[[sexual selection in birds|lovebirds]]" of early spring. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion for couples to express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending [[greeting cards]] (known as "valentines"). Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the [[heart-shaped]] outline, doves, and the figure of the winged [[Cupid]]. In the 19th century, handmade cards gave way to mass-produced greetings.<ref name="Leigh Eric Schmidt 1993 pp. 209–245">Leigh Eric Schmidt, "The Fashioning of a Modern Holiday: St. Valentine's Day, 1840–1870" ''Winterthur Portfolio'' '''28'''.4 (Winter 1993), pp. 209–245.</ref> In Italy, [[Saint Valentine's Key|Saint Valentine's key]]s are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver's heart", as well as to children to ward off [[epilepsy]] (called Saint Valentine's Malady).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/amulets/index.php/keys-amulet2/index.html|title=St Valentine Key, Italy|year=2012|work=[[Pitt Rivers Museum]]|publisher=University of Oxford|access-date=June 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719150116/http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/amulets/index.php/keys-amulet2/index.html|archive-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref>

It is a day of commemoration in the Anglican Communion<ref name=Anglican>{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/the-calendar/holydays.aspx|title=Holy Days|year=2012|publisher=Church of England (Anglican Communion)|access-date=October 27, 2012|quote=February 14 Valentine, Martyr at Rome, c.269|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629005446/http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/the-calendar/holydays.aspx|archive-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref> and the Lutheran Church.<ref name="Pfatteicher2008">{{cite book|last=Pfatteicher|first=Philip H.|title=New Book of Festivals and Commemorations: A Proposed Common Calendar of Saints|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W82FOCZ4hmwC&pg=PA86|access-date=October 27, 2012|date=August 1, 2008|publisher=Fortress Press|isbn=9780800621285|page=86|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101181958/http://books.google.com/books?id=W82FOCZ4hmwC&pg=PA86|archive-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref> Many parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrate Saint Valentine's Day on July 6 in honor of Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and on July 30 in honor of [[Hieromartyr]] Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern [[Terni]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.goarch.org/blog/-/blogs/the-historical-and-orthodox-saint-valentine|title=The Historical and Orthodox Saint Valentine|last=Kyrou|first=Alexandros K.|date=February 14, 2015|publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|language=en|access-date=February 12, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814121950/https://blogs.goarch.org/blog/-/blogs/the-historical-and-orthodox-saint-valentine|archive-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref>

== Saint Valentine ==
{{main|Saint Valentine}}

===History===
[[File:St-valentine 110921-01.jpg|thumb|Shrine of St. Valentine in [[Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church]] in Dublin, Ireland]]

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 arguing that Chaucer had an established tradition in mind, and (pp. 79 ff.) 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> 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 Sanctorum|Acts]] of both are unreliable, and the Bollandists assert that these two Valentines were in fact one and the same."</ref> Valentine of [[Rome]] was a priest in Rome who was martyred in 269 and was buried on the [[Via Flaminia]]. The relics of Saint Valentine were kept in the [[Catacombs of San Valentino|Church and Catacombs of San Valentino]] in Rome, which "remained an important pilgrim site throughout the Middle Ages until the relics of Saint Valentine were transferred to the church of [[Santa Prassede]] during the pontificate of [[Pope Nicholas IV|Nicholas IV]] [1288–1292]".<ref name="Matilda Webb 2001">Matilda Webb, The Churches and Catacombs of Early Christian Rome, 2001, Sussex Academic Press.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novareinna.com/festive/saintval.html |publisher=novareinna.com |title=Saint Valentine's Day: Legend of the Saint |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205081733/http://www.novareinna.com/festive/saintval.html |archive-date=February 5, 2016 }}</ref> The flower-crowned skull of Saint Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of [[Santa Maria in Cosmedin]], Rome. Other relics are found at [[Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church]] in Dublin, Ireland.<ref>{{cite book|last=Meera|first=Lester|title=Sacred Travels|year=2011|publisher=Adams Media|isbn=978-1440525469|url=https://archive.org/details/sacredtravels2750000lest}}</ref>

Valentine of Terni became bishop of [[Interamna Nahars|Interamna]] (now [[Terni]], in central Italy) and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor [[Aurelian]] in 273. He is buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location from Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (''Basilica di San Valentino''). Professor Jack B. Oruch of the University of Kansas notes that "abstracts of the acts of the two saints were in nearly every church and monastery of Europe."<ref name="Chapman">Alison Chapman. Patrons and Patron Saints in Early Modern English Literature. Routledge. pg. 122.</ref> A relic claimed to be Saint Valentine of Terni's head was preserved in the abbey of [[New Minster, Winchester]], and venerated.<ref name="ansgar"/>

The ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early [[martyrology|martyrologies]] under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.<ref>{{cite web |title=Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Valentine |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15254a.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220035/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15254a.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |publisher=newadvent.org}}</ref>

February 14 is celebrated as Saint Valentine's Day in various [[Christian denomination]]s; it has, for example, the rank of "commemoration" in the [[Calendar of saints (Church of England)|calendar of saints]] in the [[Anglican Communion]].<ref name="Anglican"/> The [[feast day]] of Saint Valentine is given in the [[Calendar of Saints (Lutheran)|calendar of saints]] of the [[Lutheran Church]].<ref name="Pfatteicher2008"/> In [[Mysterii Paschalis|the 1969 revision]] of the [[Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints]], the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was relegated from the [[General Roman Calendar]] 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 February 14."<ref>''Calendarium Romanum ex Decreto Sacrosancti Œcumenici Concilii Vaticani II Instauratum Auctoritate Pauli PP. VI Promulgatum'' (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, MCMLXIX), p. 117.</ref> Therefore, as he remains within the [[Roman Martyrology]], he may be recognised optionally during mass outside of [[Christmastide]] and [[Eastertide]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Catholic Church |title=General Instruction of the Roman MissalMISSAL |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html |website=Vatican.va |publisher=Catholic Church |access-date=February 16, 2023 |location=Para 355 |archive-date=April 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421184003/http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html%23II._MASSES_FOR_THE_DEAD |url-status=live }}</ref>

The feast day is still celebrated in [[Balzan]] ([[Malta]]), where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by [[Traditionalist Catholics]] who follow the older, pre-[[Second Vatican Council]] calendar (see [[General Roman Calendar of 1960]]).

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], Saint Valentine is recognized on [[July 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|July 6]], on which [[Saint Valentine]], the Roman presbyter, is honoured; in addition, the Eastern Orthodox Church observes the feast of Hieromartyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, on [[July 30 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)|July 30]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravmir.com/st-valentines-day-legend-and-reality/|title=St. Valentine|work=pravmir.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116185820/http://www.pravmir.com/st-valentines-day-legend-and-reality/|archive-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stmarina.org/valentine.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525101359/http://www.stmarina.org/valentine.html|url-status=dead|title=Coptic Orthodox Church – From Where Valentine's Day Comes From|archivedate=May 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.happy-valentines-day-2014.com/2014/01/valentines-day-history-myths.html |title= Happy Valentine's Day History And Myths Behind It |url-status= usurped |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151017022328/http://www.happy-valentines-day-2014.com/2014/01/valentines-day-history-myths.html |archive-date= October 17, 2015 |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

=== Legends ===
[[File:St-valentine-baptizing-st-lucilla-jacopo-bassano.jpg|thumb|left|''St Valentine baptizing St Lucilla'', [[Jacopo Bassano]].]]

J.C. Cooper, in ''The Dictionary of Christianity'', writes that Saint Valentine was "a priest of Rome who was imprisoned for succouring persecuted Christians."<ref name="JC Cooper 2013">J.C. Cooper, ''Dictionary of Christianity'', 2013, Routledge.</ref> Contemporary records of Saint Valentine were most probably destroyed during this [[Diocletianic Persecution]] in the early 4th century.<ref name="oruch"/> In the 5th or 6th century, a work called ''Passio Marii et Marthae'' published a story of martyrdom for Saint Valentine of Rome, perhaps by borrowing tortures that happened to other saints, as was usual in the literature of that period.<ref name="oruch"/><ref name="ansgar49"/>

The same events are found in ''[[Bede|Bede's Martyrology]]'', which was compiled in the 8th century.<ref name="oruch"/><ref name="ansgar49">Ansgar, 1986, pp. 49–50</ref> It states that Saint Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by [[Roman Emperor]] [[Claudius Gothicus|Claudius II]] in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman [[paganism]] in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing Julia, the blind daughter of his jailer Asterius. The jailer's daughter and his forty-six member [[household]], family members and servants, came to believe in [[Jesus]] and were [[baptized]].<ref name="Brewer1894">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=blUXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA384|title=A Dictionary of Miracles: Imitative, Realistic, and Dogmatic|last=Brewer|first=Ebenezer Cobham|publisher=[[J. B. Lippincott & Co.]]|year=1894|page=384|language=en|quote=St. Valentine, laying his hand upon her eyes, said in prayer, "O Thou who art the true Light, give light to this Thy servant." Instantly sight was restored to the blind child. Asterius and his wife, falling at the feet of Valentine, prayed that they might be admitted into the Christian fellowship; whereupon St. Valentine commanded them to break their idols, to fast for three days, to forgive their enemies, and to be baptized. Asterius and his wife did all the saint told them to do, and Valentine baptized them and all their household, to the number of forty-six in all. —''Les Petits Bollandistes'', vol. ii. pp. 510, 511.}}</ref><ref name="oruch"/>

A later ''Passio'' repeated the legend, adding that [[Pope Julius I]] built a church over his sepulchre (it is a confusion with a 4th-century tribune called Valentino, who donated land to build a church at a time when Julius was a Pope).<ref name="ansgar49"/> The legend was picked up as fact by later martyrologies, starting with [[Bede]]'s martyrology in the 8th century.<ref name="ansgar49"/> It was repeated in the 13th century, in ''[[Golden Legend|The Golden Legend]]''.<ref>[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/golden169.htm ''Legenda Aurea'', "Saint Valentine"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904010018/http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/golden169.htm |date=September 4, 2013 }}, catholic-forum.com.</ref>

There is an additional embellishment to ''The Golden Legend'', which according to Henry Ansgar Kelly, was added in the 18th century and widely repeated.<ref name="your valentine">Ansgar, 1986, p. 59. It originated in the 1797 edition of ''Kemmish's Annual'', according to Frank Staff, ''The Valentine and Its Origins'' (London, 1969), p. 122. Ansgar was unable to corroborate this.</ref> On the evening before Valentine was to be [[executed]], he is supposed to have written the first "valentine" card himself, addressed to the daughter of his jailer Asterius, who was no longer blind, signing as "Your Valentine."<ref name="your valentine"/> The expression "From your Valentine" was later adopted by modern Valentine letters.<ref name="Ruth Lee 1952">Ruth Webb Lee, ''A History of Valentines'', 1952, Studio Publications in association with Crowell.</ref> This legend has been published by both [[American Greetings]] and [[The History Channel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded|title=St. Valentine beheaded – Feb 14, 278|date=February 14, 2012|publisher=[[History (U.S. TV channel)|History]]|access-date=April 9, 2015|quote=When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14, on or about the year 270. Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine."|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316200003/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded|archive-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Valentineanddisciples.jpg|thumb|[[Saint Valentine|Saint Valentine of Terni]] and his disciples]]
[[John Foxe]], a 16th-century English historian, and the [[Order of Carmelites]] state that Saint Valentine was buried in the [[Santa Prassede|Church of Saint Praxedes]] in Rome, located near the cemetery of [[Saint Hippolytus]]. This order says that according to legend, "Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship."<ref>John Foxe. Voices of the Martyrs. Bridge Logos Foundation. pg. 62.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.carmelites.ie/ireland/whitefriar%20st/valentine.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126100202/http://www.carmelites.ie/ireland/whitefriar%20st/valentine.htm|url-status=dead|title=Shrine of St Valentine, Whitefriar Street Church|archivedate=January 26, 2013}}</ref>

Another embellishment suggests that Saint Valentine performed clandestine [[Christian views on marriage|Christian weddings]] for soldiers who were forbidden to marry.<ref name="David Harkness 1961">David James Harkness, Legends and Lore: Southerns Indians Flowers Holidays, vol. XL, No. 2, April 1961, University of Tennessee Newsletter (bimonthly), p. 15.</ref> The Roman Emperor Claudius II supposedly forbade this in order to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers.<ref name="David Harkness 1961"/><ref name="Max Christensen 1997">Max L. Christensen, ''Heroes and Saints: More Stories of People Who Made a Difference'', 1997, Westminster John Knox Press. Chapter "The First Valentine", p. 25 {{ISBN|066425702X}}</ref> However, George Monger writes that this marriage ban was never issued and that Claudius II told his soldiers to take two or three women for themselves after his victory over the [[Goths]].<ref name="Monger2013">{{cite book|author=George Monger|title=Marriage Customs of the World: An Encyclopedia of Dating Customs and Wedding Traditions, Expanded Second Edition &#91;2 Volumes&#93;|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=avDXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA665|date=April 9, 2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-664-5|pages=665–671|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914170136/https://books.google.com/books?id=avDXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA665|archive-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

According to legend, in order "to remind these men of their vows and God's love, Saint Valentine is said to have cut hearts from parchment", giving them to these soldiers and [[Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire|persecuted Christians]], a possible origin of the widespread use of hearts on Saint Valentine's Day.<ref name="Frank Staff 1969">Frank Staff, ''The Valentine & Its Origins'', 1969, Frederick A. Praeger.</ref>

Saint Valentine supposedly wore a purple [[amethyst]] ring, customarily worn on the hands of Christian [[bishop]]s with an image of [[Cupid]] engraved in it, a recognizable symbol associated with love that was legal under the Roman Empire;<ref name="Max Christensen 1997"/><ref name="AMNH 1958">''The Illustrated Library of the Natural Sciences'', Volume 1, 1958, Simon and Schuster. p. 85 "The amethyst is the birthstone for February, and Saint Valentine is supposed to have worn an amethyst engraved with a figure of Cupid"</ref> Roman soldiers would recognize the ring and ask him to perform marriage for them.<ref name="Max Christensen 1997"/> Probably due to the association with Saint Valentine, amethyst has become the [[birthstone]] of February, which is thought to attract love.<ref name="Hesse2007">{{cite book|author=Rayner W. Hesse|title=Jewelrymaking Through History: An Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DIWEi5Hg93gC&pg=PA21|date=January 1, 2007|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-33507-5|pages=21|quote=It appears as the birthstone from February probably due to its association with Saint Valentine; therefore, amethyst has often been worn to attract love.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915012025/https://books.google.com/books?id=DIWEi5Hg93gC&pg=PA21|archive-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref>

==Folk traditions==
While the European folk traditions connected with Saint Valentine and Saint Valentine's Day have become marginalized by modern customs connecting the day with [[romantic love]], there are still some connections with the advent of [[Spring (season)|spring]].<!--citation not needed here; the rest of the section gives examples of this statement-->

While the custom of sending cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts originated in the UK, Valentine's Day still remains connected with various regional customs in England. 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.information-britain.co.uk/customdetail.php?id=45|title=British Folk Customs, Jack Valentine, Norfolk|work=information-britain.co.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113208/http://www.information-britain.co.uk/customdetail.php?id=45|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/valentines-romantic-norfolk.aspx |title=Valentines Day Past and Present in the Norwich area and Norfolk |access-date=February 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628122719/http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/valentines-romantic-norfolk.aspx |archive-date=June 28, 2009 }}</ref>

In [[Slovenia]], Saint Valentine or [[Zdravko]] was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health and the patron of [[beekeepers]] and pilgrims.<ref name="GG2008-02-15">{{cite news |url=http://www.gorenjskiglas.si/novice/gg_plus/index.php?action=clanek&id=17462 |title=Sv. Valentin, prvi spomladin |language=sl |trans-title=St Valentin, the First Spring Saint |newspaper=Gorenjski glas |date=February 15, 2008 |first=Pavla |last=Kliner |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118054048/http://www.gorenjskiglas.si/novice/gg_plus/index.php?action=clanek&id=17462 |archive-date=January 18, 2013 }}</ref>
A proverb says that "Saint Valentine brings the keys of roots". Plants and flowers start to grow on this day. It has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the vineyards and in the fields commences. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day. Another proverb says {{lang|sl|"Valentin – prvi spomladin"}} ('Valentine – the first spring saint'), as in some places (especially [[White Carniola]]), Saint Valentine marks the beginning of spring.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://dnevnik.si/novice/prosti_cas/1042422995 |title=Vreme kot nalašč za izlete |language=sl |trans-title=Weather As on Purpose for Trips |date=February 9, 2011 |newspaper=Dnevnik.si |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092540/http://dnevnik.si/novice/prosti_cas/1042422995 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> Valentine's Day has only recently been celebrated as the day of love. The day of love was traditionally March 12, [[Saint Gregory]]'s day, or February 22, [[Vincent of Saragossa|Saint Vincent's Day]]. The patron of love was [[Anthony of Padua|Saint Anthony]], whose day has been celebrated on June 13.<ref name="GG2008-02-15" />

== Connection with romantic love ==

=== Possible ancient origins ===

The "Feast" ({{langx|la|in natali}}, {{lit|on the birthday}}) of Saint Valentine originated in Christendom and has been marked by the Western Church of Christendom in honour of one of the [[Christian martyr]]s named Valentine, as recorded in the 8th-century [[Gelasian Sacramentary]].<ref name="Chapman"/><ref name="Polcar1894"/> In [[Ancient Rome]], [[Lupercalia]] was observed February 13–15 on behalf of [[Pan (god)|Pan]] and [[Juno (mythology)|Juno]], pagan gods of love, marriage and fertility. It was a rite connected to purification and health, and had only slight connection to fertility (as a part of health) and none to love. The celebration of Saint Valentine is not known to have had any romantic connotations until [[Chaucer]]'s poetry about "Valentine's Day" in the 14th century, some seven hundred years after celebration of Lupercalia is believed to have ceased.<ref name="oruch"/>

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. Although the Pope [[Gelasius I]] (492–496) article in the Catholic Encyclopedia says that he abolished Lupercalia, theologian and Methodist minister [[Bruce Forbes]] wrote that "no evidence" has been demonstrated to link Saint Valentine's Day and the rites of the ancient Roman purification festival of [[Lupercalia]], despite claims by many authors to the contrary.<ref group="notes">For example, one source claims incorrectly that "Pope Gelasius I muddled things in the 5th century by combining St. Valentine's Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals." Seipel, Arnie, [https://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day ''The Dark Origins Of Valentine's Day''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427232033/http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day |date=April 27, 2016 }}, National Public Radio, February 13, 2011</ref><ref name="ansgar"/><ref>{{Cite book |author=Michael Matthew Kaylor |author-link=Michael Matthew Kaylor |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Wa7SIsAQgAC&q=saint+valentine%27s+day+lupercalia&pg=PA235 |title=Secreted Desires: The Major Uranians: Hopkins, Pater and Wilde |publisher=[[Masaryk University]] Press |year=2006 |isbn=80-210-4126-9 |edition=electronic |page=footnote 2 in page 235}}</ref><ref name="BDForbes2015"/>

Some researchers have theorized that Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with the celebration of the [[Candlemas|Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary]] and claim a connection to the 14th century's connotations of romantic love, but there is no historical indication that he ever intended such a thing.<ref group="notes">Ansgar, 1976, pp. 60–61. The replacement of Lupercalia with Saint Valentine's celebration was suggested by researchers Kellog and Cox. Ansgar says "It is hardly credible, then, that Pope Gelasius could have introduced the feast of the Purification to counteract the Lupercalia, and in fact the historical records of his pontificate give no hint of such an action."</ref><ref name="BDForbes2015">{{cite book|last=Forbes|first=Bruce David|title=America's Favorite Holidays: Candid Histories|date=October 27, 2015|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|language=en|isbn=9780520284722|page=54|quote=There is no indication in suppressing the Lupercalia, Gelasius put anything else in its place. Much later, in the 1500s, a Cardinal Baronius speculated that Gelasius converted the Lupercalia into the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin (or Candlemas), changing one purification ceremony into another, and many noted authors have repeated this claim. Recent scholarship has refuted Baronius's assertion...there is no evidence that Gelasius advocated a celebration of Valentine's Day as a replacement for the Lupercalia. ... The letter by Gelasius to Andromachus criticizing the Lupercalia contains no reference to Valentine, or Valentine's Day, or any replacement observance.}}</ref><ref name="oruch lupercalia">Jack B. Oruch, "St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February" ''Speculum'' '''56'''.3 (July 1981:534–565)</ref> Also, the dates do not fit because at the time of Gelasius I, the feast was only celebrated in Jerusalem, and it was on February 14 only because Jerusalem placed the Nativity of Jesus (Christmas) on January 6.<ref group="notes">Ansgar, 1976, pp. 60–61. This feast is celebrated 40 days after the Nativity. In Jerusalem the Nativity was celebrated on January 6, and this feast in February 14. But, in the West and even in Eastern places such as Antioch and Alexandria, Nativity was celebrated on December 25, and this Purification was not celebrated. When this feast was introduced to Rome, it was directly placed in February 2. Around that time, Jerusalem adopted the Nativity date of December 25 and moved the Purification to February 2.</ref> Although it was called "Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary", it also dealt with the presentation of Jesus at the temple.<ref name="auto">Ansgar, 1976, pp. 60–61.</ref> Jerusalem's Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary on February 14 became the [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple]] on February 2 as it was introduced to Rome and other places in the sixth century, after Gelasius I's time.<ref name="auto"/><!--Candlemas is treated elsewhere; 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 also declared in 500 that the feast of [[St. Valentine]] would be on February 15."-->

While sometimes repeated uncritically by modern sources that men or boys drew names of women or girls from a jar to couple for the duration of Lupercalia, there is no ancient evidence for any kind of lottery or sortition scheme pairing couples for sex. The first descriptions of this fictitious lottery appeared in the 15th century in relation to Valentine's Day, with a connection to the Lupercalia first asserted in 18th century antiquarian works, such as those by [[Alban Butler]] (''[[The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints]]'', 1756–1759) and [[Francis Douce]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Oruch |first=Jack B. |date=1981 |title=St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February |jstor=2847741 |journal=Speculum |volume=56 |issue=3 |pages=534–565 |doi=10.2307/2847741 |issn=0038-7134 |quote=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. Most of those who offer this now traditional explanation cite no sources... Butler's ideas were prompted, in all probability, by a confused knowledge [or ...] wishful or pious fantasy. }}</ref> These modern sources claimed that the fictional Lupercalia was the source of the practice of sending valentines. 

The practice of sending valentines originated in the Middle Ages, with no link to Lupercalia, with boys drawing the names of girls at random. This custom was combated by priests, for example by [[Frances de Sales]] around 1600, apparently by replacing it with a religious custom of girls drawing the names of apostles from the [[altar]]. However, this religious custom is recorded as early as the 13th century in the life of Saint [[Elizabeth of Hungary]], so it could have a different origin.<ref name="ansgar">Ansgar, 1986, pp. [https://books.google.com/books?id=_bqdZbKPztMC&dq=saint+valentine%27s+lupercalia+year&pg=PA60 58–63]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001215758/https://books.google.com/books?id=_bqdZbKPztMC&pg=PA60&dq=saint%20valentine%27s%20lupercalia%20year&hl=en&sa=X&ei=uXI4T8CgLITX0QWB4OiSAg&ved=0CDYQ6AEwATgK |date=October 1, 2016 }}</ref>

{{anchor|Chaucer's love}}

=== Chaucer's ''Parliament of Fowls''===
[[File:Chaucer Hoccleve.png|right|thumb|[[Geoffrey Chaucer]] by [[Thomas Hoccleve]] (1412)]]

The first recorded association of Saint Valentine's Day with romantic love is believed to be in the ''[[Parlement of Foules|Parliament of Fowls]]'' (1382) by [[Geoffrey Chaucer]], a [[dream vision]] portraying a parliament for birds to choose their mates.<ref name="oruch">Oruch, Jack B., "[https://www.jstor.org/stable/2847741 St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621050226/http://www.jstor.org/stable/2847741 |date=June 21, 2016 }}", ''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 Colfa.utsa.edu] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416132301/http://colfa.utsa.edu/chaucer/ec23.html |date=April 16, 2016 }}</ref> Honouring the first anniversary of the engagement of fifteen-year-old King [[Richard II of England]] to fifteen-year-old [[Anne of Bohemia]],<ref name="ansgar2001">{{cite web |url= http://spotlight.ucla.edu/faculty/henry-kelly_valentine/ |title= Henry Ansgar Kelly, Valentine's Day |author= Meg Sullivan |date= February 1, 2001 |work= UCLA Spotlight |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170403001553/http://spotlight.ucla.edu/faculty/henry-kelly_valentine/ |archive-date= April 3, 2017 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> Chaucer wrote (in [[Middle English]]):

<blockquote>"{{lang|enm|For this was on seynt Valentynes day<br />Whan every foul cometh there to chese his make<br />Of every kynde that men thynke may<br />And that so huge a noyse gan they make<br />That erthe, and eyr, and tre, and every lake<br />So ful was, that unethe was there space<br />For me to stonde, so ful was al the place.|italic=no}}"<ref>''The Complete Works of Chaucer'', ed. F.N. Robinson, Oxford University Press, London, p. 366, lines 309-315.</ref><ref>''The Riverside Chaucer'', ed. Larry D. Benson, Oxford University Press, 1987, p. 389, lines 309-315.</ref></blockquote>

In modern English:
<blockquote>"For this was on Saint Valentine's Day<br />When every fowl comes there to choose his match<br />Of every kind that men may think of<br />And that so huge a noise they began to make<br />That earth and air and tree and every lake<br />Was so full, that not easily was there space<br />For me to stand—so full was all the place."</blockquote>

Readers have uncritically assumed that Chaucer was referring to February 14 as Saint Valentine's Day. Henry Ansgar Kelly has observed that Chaucer might have had in mind the feast day of St. Valentine of Genoa, an early [[bishop of Genoa]] who died around AD 307; it was probably celebrated on May 3.<ref name="ansgar2001"/><ref>Kelly, Henry Ansgar, ''Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine'' (Brill Academic Publishers, 1997), {{ISBN|90-04-07849-5}}. Chapter 6 The Genoese St. Valentine, p. 80–83.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.iol.co.za/general/newsview.php?art_id=qw981696180625B241&click_id=1890&set_id=1 |title=Take heart, Valentine's every other week |newspaper=Independent Online |quote=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. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205160538/http://www.iol.co.za/general/newsview.php?art_id=qw981696180625B241&click_id=1890&set_id=1 |archive-date=February 5, 2009 |date=February 9, 2001 |access-date=February 14, 2012}}</ref> A treaty providing for Richard II and Anne's marriage, the subject of the poem, was signed on May 2, 1381.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/chaucer/PF.html |title=Chaucer: The Parliament of Fowls |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121120252/http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/chaucer/PF.html |archive-date=January 21, 2017 }}, wsu.edu</ref>

Jack B. Oruch notes that [[March equinox|the date on which spring begins]] has changed since Chaucer's time because of the [[axial precession|precession of the equinoxes]] and the introduction of the more accurate [[Gregorian calendar]] only in 1582. On the [[Julian calendar]] in use in Chaucer's time, February 14 would have fallen on the date now called February 23, a time when some birds have started mating and nesting in England.<ref name="oruch"/>

Chaucer's ''Parliament of Fowls'' refers to a supposedly established tradition, but there is no record of such a tradition before Chaucer. The speculative derivation of sentimental customs from the distant past began with 18th-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 name="ansgar"/><ref name="oruch 539">Oruch 1981:539.</ref>

Three other authors who made poems about [[birds mating]] on St. Valentine's Day around the same years: [[Otton de Grandson]] from Savoy, [[John Gower]] from England, and a knight called Pardo from Valencia. Chaucer most probably predated all of them; but due to the difficulty of dating medieval works, it is not possible to ascertain which of the four may have influenced the others.<ref>Ansgar, 1986, Chapter 5, Grandson, Pardo and Gower, pp. 64–76</ref>

=== Court of love ===
The earliest description of February 14 as an annual celebration of love appears in the ''Charter of the Court of Love''. The charter, allegedly issued by [[Charles VI of France]] at [[Mantes-la-Jolie]] in 1400, describes lavish festivities to be attended by several members of the royal court, including a feast, amorous song and poetry competitions, [[jousting]] and dancing.<ref name="ansgar court"/> Amid these festivities, the attending ladies would hear and rule on disputes from lovers.<ref name="goodrich">Goodrich, Peter (1996) ''Law in the Courts of Love''</ref> No other record of the court exists, and none of those named in the charter were present at Mantes except Charles's queen, [[Isabeau of Bavaria]], who may well have imagined it all while waiting out a plague.<ref name="ansgar court">Ansgar, 1986, Chapter 8, The Hibermantino of the Mating Season, pp. 131–138</ref>

===Valentine poetry===
The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th-century [[Rondeau (poetry)|rondeau]] written by [[Charles, Duke of Orléans]] to his wife, which commences.
{{blockquote|"{{lang|frm|Je suis desja d'amour tanné<br />
Ma tres doulce Valentinée...|italics=no}}"|Charles d'Orléans|Rondeau VI, lines 1–2<ref>''[[:wikisource:Translation:A Farewell to Love]]'' in [[wikisource]]</ref>}} 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.history.com/topics/valentines-day History Channel] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022134903/http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day |date=October 22, 2016 }}, historychannel.com.</ref>

The earliest surviving valentines in English appear to be those in the ''[[Paston Letters]]'', written in 1477 by [[Margery Brews]] to her future husband John Paston "my right well-beloved Valentine".<ref>Davis, Norman. ''The Paston Letters: A Selection in Modern Spelling''. Oxford University Press, 1983 pp. 233–5.</ref>

Saint Valentine's Day is mentioned ruefully by Ophelia in [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Hamlet]]'' (1600–1601):
{{blockquote|"To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,<br />All in the morning betime,<br />And I a maid at your window,<br />To be your Valentine.<br />Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,<br />And dupp'd the chamber-door;<br />Let in the maid, that out a maid<br />Never departed more."|William Shakespeare|''Hamlet'', Act IV, Scene 5}}

[[File:John Donne BBC News.jpg|thumb|Noted poet [[John Donne]], {{c.}} 1595.]]
[[John Donne]] used the legend of the marriage of the birds as the starting point for his [[epithalamion]] celebrating the marriage of [[Elizabeth of Bohemia|Elizabeth]], daughter of [[James I of England]], and [[Frederick V, Elector Palatine]], on Valentine's Day:

{{blockquote|"Hayle Bishop Valentine whose day this is<br />
All the Ayre is thy Diocese<br />
And all the chirping Queristers<br />
And other birds ar thy parishioners<br />
Thou marryest every yeare<br />
The Lyrick Lark, and the graue whispering Doue,<br />
The Sparrow that neglects his life for loue,<br />
The houshold bird with the redd stomacher<br />
Thou makst the Blackbird speede as soone,<br />
As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon<br />
The Husband Cock lookes out and soone is spedd<br />
And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.<br />
This day more cheerfully than ever shine<br />
This day which might inflame thy selfe old Valentine."|John Donne|''Epithalamion Vpon Frederick Count Palatine and the Lady Elizabeth marryed on St. Valentines day''}}

The verse "[[Roses Are Red|Roses are red]]" echoes conventions traceable as far back as [[Edmund Spenser]]'s epic ''[[The Faerie Queene]]'' (1590):

<blockquote>"She bath'd with roses red, and violets blew,<br />
And all the sweetest {{sic|flowres}}, that in the forrest grew."<ref>Spenser, ''The Faery Queene'' iii, Canto 6, Stanza 6: [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/fq/fq32.htm on-line text] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061514/http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/fq/fq32.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref></blockquote>

The modern cliché Valentine's Day poem can be found in ''[[Gammer Gurton's Garland]]'' (1784), a collection of English nursery rhymes published in London by [[Joseph Johnson (publisher)|Joseph Johnson]]:

<blockquote>"The rose is red, the violet's blue,<br />
The honey's sweet, and so are you.<br />
Thou art my love and I am thine;<br />
I drew thee to my Valentine:<br />
The lot was cast and then I drew,<br />
And Fortune said it shou'd be you."<ref>''Gammer Gurton's Garland'' (London, 1784) in I. Opie and P. Opie, ''The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes'' (Oxford University Press, 1951, 2nd ed., 1997), p. 375.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=XtAqAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22I+drew+thee+to+my+Valentine%22&pg=PA14 ''Gammer Gurton's Garland''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324141821/https://books.google.com/books?id=XtAqAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22I+drew+thee+to+my+Valentine%22&pg=PA14 |date=March 24, 2023 }}, original 1810 version. Also [https://archive.org/stream/gammergurtonsgar00ritsiala/gammergurtonsgar00ritsiala_djvu.txt 1810 version reprinted in 1866] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410212732/https://archive.org/stream/gammergurtonsgar00ritsiala/gammergurtonsgar00ritsiala_djvu.txt |date=April 10, 2016 }} that uses more modern grammar like "should" instead of "shou'd".</ref></blockquote>

=== Modern times ===
[[File:Card; valentine card - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|upright|left|An English Victorian era Valentine card located in the [[Museum of London]]]]
In 1797, a British publisher issued ''The Young Man's Valentine Writer'', which contained scores of suggested sentimental [[Verse (poetry)|verses]] for the young lover unable to compose his own. Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches, called "mechanical valentines". Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century.<ref>{{cite web |author=Vivian Krug Hotchkiss|url=http://www.emotionscards.com/museum/vals.html |title=Emotionscards.com |publisher=Emotionscards.com |date=February 14, 1910 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807022738/http://www.emotionscards.com/museum/vals.html |archive-date=August 7, 2011 }}</ref> In 1835, 60,000 Valentine cards were sent by post in the United Kingdom, despite postage being expensive.<ref>[http://www.mmu.ac.uk/news/news-items/1218/ "Valentine cards reveal Britain's relationship history"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415135805/http://www.mmu.ac.uk/news/news-items/1218/ |date=April 15, 2016 }}, Manchester Metropolitan University, Retrieved February 8, 2014</ref>

A [[Penny Post#United Kingdom|reduction in postal rates]] following [[Rowland Hill (postal reformer)|Sir Rowland Hill]]'s postal reforms with the 1840 invention of the postage stamp ([[Penny Black]]) saw the number of Valentines posted increase, with 400,000 sent just one year after its introduction, and ushered in the less personal but easier practice of mailing Valentines.<ref name="Vincent">{{cite book|last1=Vincent|first1=David|title=Literacy and Popular Culture: England 1750–1914|publisher=Cambridge University Press|pages=44, 45}}</ref> That made it possible for the first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly [[Victorian era|Victorian]].<ref>Charles Panati (1987). Extraordinary origins of everyday things. p.57. Perennial Library, 1987</ref> Production increased, "Cupid's Manufactory" as [[Charles Dickens]] termed it, with over 3,000 women employed in manufacturing.<ref name="Vincent"/> The [[Laura Seddon Greeting Card Collection]] at [[Manchester Metropolitan University]] gathers 450 Valentine's Day cards dating from early 19th century Britain, printed by the major publishers of the day.<ref>{{cite web| title = MMU Special Collections – Victorian Ephemera| publisher = [[Manchester Metropolitan University]]| url = http://www.specialcollections.mmu.ac.uk/victoria.php| access-date = November 8, 2013| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131109164103/http://www.specialcollections.mmu.ac.uk/victoria.php| archive-date = November 9, 2013| df = mdy-all}}</ref> The collection appears in Seddon's book ''Victorian Valentines'' (1996).<ref>{{cite book| title = Victorian Valentines: A Guide to the Laura Seddon Collection of Valentine Cards in Manchester Metropolitan University Library| publisher = [[Manchester Metropolitan University]]| year = 1996| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5swmAAAACAAJ&q=Victorian+Valentines+seddon| author = Laura Seddon| access-date = November 8, 2013| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140103002756/http://books.google.com/books?id=5swmAAAACAAJ&dq=Victorian+Valentines+seddon&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2OJ8UuGqEqLR7AbPt4CgBw&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA| archive-date = January 3, 2014| df = mdy-all| isbn = 9780901276544}}</ref>

[[File:Red Roses (6862116332).jpg|thumb|upright|Flowers, such as red roses (pictured), are often sent on Valentine's Day.]]
In the 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]].<ref name="american" /><ref name=devereux /> Her father operated a large book and stationery store, but Howland took her inspiration from an English Valentine she had received from a business associate of her father.<ref>''Hobbies, Volume 52, Issues 7–12'' p.18. Lightner Pub. Co., 1947</ref><ref name=TRE/> Intrigued with the idea of making similar Valentines, Howland began her business by importing paper lace and floral decorations from England.<ref name=TRE>{{cite web |author=Vivian Krug Hotchkiss |url=http://www.emotionscards.com/museum/estherhowland.htm |title=Esther Howland |publisher=Emotionscards.com |access-date=August 6, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722235315/http://www.emotionscards.com/museum/estherhowland.htm |archive-date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref><ref>Dean, Dorothy (1990) ''On the Collectible Trail'' p.90. Discovery Publications, 1990</ref>

A writer in ''Graham's American Monthly'' observed in 1849, "Saint Valentine's Day&nbsp;... is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday."<!--holyday in the original--><ref>Quoted in Schmidt 1993:209.</ref> The English practice of sending Valentine's cards was established enough to feature as a plot device in [[Elizabeth Gaskell]]'s ''[[Mr. Harrison's Confessions]]'' (1851): "I burst in with my explanations: 'The valentine I know nothing about.' 'It is in your handwriting', said he coldly."<ref>Gaskell, Elizabeth ''Cranford and Selected Short Stories'' p. 258. Wordsworth Editions, 2006.</ref> Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual "Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary".<ref name=devereux>{{Cite book |title= Love & Romance Facts, Figures & Fun |author= Eve Devereux |edition= illustrated |publisher= AAPPL Artists & Photographers Press |year= 2006 |isbn= 1-904332-33-1 |page= 28 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=MCAC8mnwEIEC }}</ref>

Since the 19th century, handmade cards have given way to mass-produced [[greeting cards]].<ref name="Leigh Eric Schmidt 1993 pp. 209–245"/> In the UK, just under half of the population spend money on their Valentines, and around £1.9&nbsp;billion was spent in 2015 on cards, flowers, chocolates, and other gifts.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Valentine's Day spending set to top £1.9bn in United Kingdom
 |url=http://www.brc.org.uk/details04.asp?id=1091&kCat=&kData=1
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204235054/http://www.brc.org.uk/details04.asp?id=1091&kCat=&kData=1
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=February 4, 2008
|publisher=[[British Retail Consortium]]
}}</ref> The mid-19th century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the U.S. to follow.<ref name="Leigh Eric Schmidt 1991 pp 890–98">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.</ref>

[[File:Elmer Valentine boxed chocolates.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A gift box of chocolates, which is a common gift for Valentine's Day]]
In 1868, the British chocolate company [[Cadbury]] created Fancy Boxes – a decorated box of chocolates – in the shape of a heart for Valentine's Day.<ref name="Chocolates">{{cite book|last=Mintz|first=Sidney|title=The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets|date=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=157}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Guinness World Records 2017 |date=September 8, 2016 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hxAyDQAAQBAJ&q=cadbury+chocolate+boxes+1868&pg=PA90 |publisher=Guinness World Records |page=90 |isbn=9781910561348 |quote=[[Richard Cadbury]], eldest son of John Cadbury who founded the now iconic brand, was the first chocolate-maker to commercialize the association between confectionery and romance, producing a heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in 1868 |access-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324141123/https://books.google.com/books?id=hxAyDQAAQBAJ&q=cadbury+chocolate+boxes+1868&pg=PA90 |url-status=live }}</ref> Boxes of filled chocolates quickly became associated with the holiday.<ref name="Chocolates"/> In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts, such as giving [[jewelry]].

The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities are included the figure goes up to 1&nbsp;billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines.<ref name="american">{{cite web |url= http://www.greetingcard.org/userfiles/file/2010%20Valentines%20Day.pdf |title= Americans Valentine's Day |year= 2010 |access-date= February 16, 2010 |publisher= U.S. Greeting Card Association |archive-date= February 4, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230204150611/http://www.greetingcard.org/userfiles/file/2010%20Valentines%20Day.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The increase in use of the Internet around the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Every year, millions of people use digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as [[e-cards]], love coupons and printable greeting cards. Valentine's Day is considered by some to be a [[Hallmark holiday]] due to its commercialization.<ref name="wp">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/on-valentines-day-do-we-still-need-hallmark/2012/02/08/gIQAsaKP4Q_story.html |title=On Valentine's Day, do we still need Hallmark? |last=Lenz |first=Kristin |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=February 10, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217220055/http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/on-valentines-day-do-we-still-need-hallmark/2012/02/08/gIQAsaKP4Q_story.html |archive-date=February 17, 2012 }}</ref>

In 2016, the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales|Catholic Bishops of England and Wales]] established a [[novena]] prayer "to support single people seeking a spouse ahead of St Valentine's Day."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/02/12/bishops-release-novena-for-single-catholics-ahead-of-st-valentines-day/|title=Bishops release novena for single Catholics ahead of St Valentine's Day|last=Teahan|first=Madeleine|date=February 12, 2016|newspaper=[[The Catholic Herald]]|language=en|access-date=February 12, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213092804/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/02/12/bishops-release-novena-for-single-catholics-ahead-of-st-valentines-day/|archive-date=February 13, 2016}}</ref>

==Celebration and status worldwide==
[[File:CWAC Valentine's Day 1944 (4112917253).jpg|thumb|right|A [[Canadian Women's Army Corps]] member and a man in the [[Canadian Air Force]] chalk hearts on a tree on Valentine's Day 1944]]
Valentine's Day customs—sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"), offering confectionery and presenting flowers—developed in early modern England and spread throughout the [[English-speaking world]] in the 19th century. In the later 20th and early 21st centuries, these customs spread to other countries, like those of [[Halloween]], and aspects of [[Christmas]] (such as [[Santa Claus]]).

Valentine's Day is celebrated in many [[East Asia]]n countries, with [[Singapore]]ans, [[China|Chinese]], and [[South Korea]]ns spending the most money on Valentine's gifts.<ref name="showbizandstyle.inquirer.net">Domingo, Ronnel. [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080214-118905/Among-Asians-Filipinos-dig-Valentines-Day-the-most Among Asians, Filipinos dig Valentine's Day the most] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026170759/http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080214-118905/Among-Asians-Filipinos-dig-Valentines-Day-the-most |date=October 26, 2015 }}. ''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]'', February 14, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2008.</ref>

===Americas===

====Latin America====
In most [[Latin America]]n countries—for example, [[Costa Rica]],<ref>{{Cite journal|title=El cine transpiraamores y desamores |author=Alexander Sanchez C. |date=February 12, 2010 |journal=[[La Nación (San José)|La Nación]] |url=http://www.nacion.com/viva/2010/febrero/12/tiempolibre2234449.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215190625/http://www.nacion.com/viva/2010/febrero/12/tiempolibre2234449.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 15, 2010 |publisher=[[La Nación (San José)]] |access-date=February 14, 2012 }}</ref> Mexico,<ref>{{cite web |title= Realizará GDF cuarta feria por Día del Amor y la Amistad |work= [[El Universal (Mexico City)|El Universal]] |author= Notimex |url= http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/658084.html |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140202112427/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/658084.html |archive-date= February 2, 2014 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> and the [[United States|U.S.]] [[<!--U.S. state-->Territories of the United States|territory]] of [[Puerto Rico]]—Saint Valentine's Day is known as {{lang|es|Día de los Enamorados}} ('Lovers' Day')<ref>[http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/translate/spanish-english/enamorado#enamorado_2 enamorado] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822182336/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/translate/spanish-english/enamorado#enamorado_2 |date=August 22, 2016 }}, Oxford Dictionaies. Retrieved: February 14, 2015.</ref> or as {{lang|es|Día del Amor y la Amistad}} ('Love and Friendship Day'). It is also common to see people perform "acts of appreciation" for their friends.<ref name="Levine2012">{{cite book|last=Levine|first=Deborah A.|title=Love Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about the Many Ways We Celebrate Romance and Passion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=62bv413irSMC&pg=PA17|access-date=February 13, 2018|year=2012|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing Inc.|isbn=9781616083861|pages=17–18}}</ref>

In [[Guatemala]] it is known as {{lang|es|Día del Cariño}} ('Affection Day').<ref>{{cite web |title=Para quererte |date=February 10, 2010 |work=El Periódico de Guatemala |url=http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20100210/opinion/137067/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214222504/http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20100210/opinion/137067/ |archive-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> Some countries, in particular the [[Dominican Republic]] and [[El Salvador]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.popsugar.com/latina/photo-gallery/39956920/image/39956925/Organize-Game-Amigo-Secreto |title=Organize a Game of Amigo Secreto |last=Benton |first=Emilia |date=February 13, 2018 |website=Popsugar Latina |language=en-US |access-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073518/https://www.popsugar.com/latina/photo-gallery/39956920/image/39956925/Organize-Game-Amigo-Secreto |url-status=live }}</ref> have a tradition called {{lang|es|Amigo secreto}} ('secret friend'), which is a game similar to the Christmas tradition of [[Secret Santa]].<ref name="Levine2012"/>

====Brazil====
{{main|Dia dos Namorados}}
In [[Brazil]], the {{lang|pt-BR|[[Dia dos Namorados]]}} ('Lovers' Day', or 'Boyfriends/Girlfriends Day') is celebrated on June 12, probably because that is the day before [[Anthony of Padua|Saint Anthony]]'s day—a saint recognized for blessing young couples with happy and prosperous marriages—when traditionally many single women perform popular rituals called {{lang|pt-BR|simpatias}} in order to find a good husband or boyfriend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boldsky.com/insync/pulse/2007/brazilian-couple.html|title=Dia Dos Namorados – A Day For The Enamoured|access-date=February 13, 2024|date=January 31, 2007|work=Bold Sky|publisher=[[Oneindia.in]]}}</ref> Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards, and flower bouquets. The February 14 Valentine's Day is not celebrated at all because it is usually too close to [[Brazilian Carnival]], which can fall anywhere from early February to early March and lasts almost a week.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,900628,00.html The Psychology of Carnaval] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824100723/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C900628%2C00.html|date=August 24, 2013}}, ''[[TIME Magazine]]'', February 14, 1969</ref>

====Colombia====
[[Colombia]] celebrates {{lang|es|Día del amor y la amistad}} ('Love and Friendship Day') on the third Saturday in September instead.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.santillana.com.co/www/articulos/padres/dia-del-amor-y-la-amistad |title=Día del Amor y la Amistad |website=Santillana |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073424/http://www.santillana.com.co/www/articulos/padres/dia-del-amor-y-la-amistad |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{lang|es|Amigo Secreto}} is also popular there.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://colombiareports.com/colombia-celebrates-day-of-love-and-friendship/ |title=Colombia hypes up for love and friendship |date=September 16, 2009 |website=Colombia Reports |language=en-US |access-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214142057/https://colombiareports.com/colombia-celebrates-day-of-love-and-friendship/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====United States====
[[File:Necco-Candy-SweetHearts.jpg|thumb|right|[[Conversation hearts]], candies with messages on them, are strongly associated with Valentine's Day in the United States.]]
[[File:Valentine dance, school (2898490693).jpg|thumb|right|[[African American]] Valentine's school dance, Richmond, Virginia 1956]]
On the United States mainland, about 190 million Valentine's Day cards are sent each year, not including the hundreds of millions of cards school children exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/02/100210-valentines-day-gifts-cards-history-facts/|title=Valentine's Day Facts: Gifts, History, and Love Science|author=John Roach|work=National Geographic|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054516/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/02/100210-valentines-day-gifts-cards-history-facts/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|date=February 12, 2010}}</ref>

Valentine's Day is a major source of economic activity, with total [[Cost|expenditure]] topping $18.2&nbsp;billion in 2017, or over $136 per person.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/valentines-day-numbers-money-spent-flowers-candy-cards/story?id=45480956 |title=Valentine's Day by the numbers |last1=Andreano |first1=Caterina |last2=Shapiro |first2=Emily |date=February 14, 2017 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=February 13, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214142013/http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/valentines-day-numbers-money-spent-flowers-candy-cards/story?id=45480956 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was an increase from $108 per person in 2010.<ref name="plu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://mastmedia.plu.edu/2014/02/13/valentines-day-spending-is-global/|title=Valentine's Day spending is global|work=Mast Media|date=February 13, 2014 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214830/http://mastmedia.plu.edu/2014/02/13/valentines-day-spending-is-global/|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref>  Purchases include jewellery, flowers, chocolates, candy, and greeting cards.<ref name=":1" />  Roses, especially red roses, are the most popular flower.<ref name=":1" />  In the US, roses are generally imported via refrigerated airplanes from Colombia and Ecuador.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Selena |date=2025-02-12 |title=How Can My Valentine's Flowers Show the Earth Love, Too? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/climate/valentine-bouquets-airplane-emissions.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  The most popular locally grown and seasonally compatible flowers are early spring [[tulips]].<ref name=":2" />

In 2019, a survey by the [[National Retail Federation]] found that over the previous decade, the percentage of people who celebrate Valentine's Day had declined steadily. From their survey results, they found three primary reasons: over-commercialization of the holiday, not having a spouse or significant other to celebrate it with, and not being interested in celebrating it.<ref>{{cite web | website=Fox13 | title=Companies allow people to opt-out of Valentine's Day emails | last=Stoddard | first=Catherine | date=January 28, 2022 | url=https://www.q13fox.com/news/companies-allow-people-to-opt-out-of-valentines-day-emails | access-date=January 28, 2022 | archive-date=January 30, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130004527/https://www.q13fox.com/news/companies-allow-people-to-opt-out-of-valentines-day-emails | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Asia===

==== Afghanistan ====
In pre-[[Taliban]] years, Koch-e-Gul-Faroushi ('Flower Street') in downtown [[Kabul]] used to be adorned with innovative flower arrangements, to attract the Valentine's Day-celebrating youth.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Noori|first=Hikmat|date=February 14, 2022|title=Separated on Valentine's Day: the Afghan lovers with only bittersweet memories|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2022/02/14/separated-on-valentines-day-the-afghan-lovers-with-only-bittersweet-memories/|access-date=February 14, 2022|website=The National|language=en|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214121831/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2022/02/14/separated-on-valentines-day-the-afghan-lovers-with-only-bittersweet-memories/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the Afghan [[tradition]], love is often expressed through [[poetry]]. A new generation of budding poets such as Ramin Mazhar and Mahtab Sahel express themselves through poetry, using Valentine's Day as a theme to voice concerns about the erosion of freedoms. In their political commentary, they defy fear by saying "I kiss you amid the Taliban".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-freedom-relationships.html|title=A Valentine in Uncertain Times: 'I Kiss You Amid the Taliban'|last1=Mashal|first1=Mujib|date=February 14, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 4, 2020|last2=Faizi|first2=Fatima|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204115311/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-freedom-relationships.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Taliban crack down against Valentine's Day in Kabul - La Prensa Latina Media|date=February 14, 2022|url=https://www.laprensalatina.com/taliban-crack-down-against-valentines-day-in-kabul/|access-date=February 14, 2022|language=en-US|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214182408/https://www.laprensalatina.com/taliban-crack-down-against-valentines-day-in-kabul/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Bangladesh ====
{{Main|Valentine's Day in Bangladesh}}
Valentine's Day was first celebrated in Bangladesh by [[Shafik Rehman]], a journalist and editor of the newspaper ''[[Jaijaidin]]'', in 1993. He was acquainted with [[Western culture]] from studying in [[London]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtvonline.com/others/33951/%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE|title=ভালোবাসা দিবস নিয়ে ইতিহাসে যত কথা|website=RTV Online|access-date=August 29, 2021|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829145130/https://www.rtvonline.com/others/33951/%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE|url-status=live}}</ref> He highlighted Valentine's Day to the Bangladeshi people through ''Jaijaidin''. Rehman is called the "father of Valentine's Day in Bangladesh".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.ittefaq.com.bd/index.php?ref=MjBfMDJfMTRfMTRfM181Ml8xXzEwODYzNg==|title=কবে থেকে ভালোবাসা দিবসের শুরু :: দৈনিক ইত্তেফাক|website=archive.ittefaq.com.bd|language=Bengali|access-date=February 14, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829143437/https://archive.ittefaq.com.bd/index.php?ref=MjBfMDJfMTRfMTRfM181Ml8xXzEwODYzNg==|url-status=live}}</ref> On this day, people in various types of relationship, including lovers, friends, husbands and wives, mothers and children, students and teachers, express their love for each other with flowers, chocolates, cards and other gifts. On this day, various parks and recreation centers of the country are full of people of love.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kholakagojbd.com/national/46185|title=ভালোবাসা দিবস আজ|website=Khola Kagoj BD|language=en|access-date=February 14, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829145013/http://www.kholakagojbd.com/national/46185|url-status=live}}</ref> No public holiday, however, is declared on this day in Bangladesh.

Some in Bangladesh feel that celebrating this day is not acceptable from a cultural and [[Islam]]ic point of view.<ref name="spriha">{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Spriha |date=February 4, 2017 |title=These countries have banned Valentine's Day |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/14/these-countries-have-banned-valentines-day.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226144711/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/14/these-countries-have-banned-valentines-day.html |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |agency=CNBC}}</ref> Before the celebration of Valentine's Day, February 14 was celebrated as the anti-authoritarian day in Bangladesh. However, that day has been disregarded by people to celebrate Valentine's Day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-47235070|title=ভ্যালেন্টাইন্স ডে: অনুভূতি প্রকাশের বাহানা মাত্র?|date=February 14, 2019|work=BBC News বাংলা|access-date=February 14, 2020|language=bn|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829143432/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-47235070|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.dailyinqilab.com/article/64089/%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AA-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8-|title=১৪ ফেব্রুয়ারি : ভালবাসা নয় অশ্লীলতার আগ্রাসন দিবস|website=DailyInqilabOnline|language=en|access-date=February 14, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829143439/https://m.dailyinqilab.com/article/64089/%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AA-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8-|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/national/news/212941|title='ভালোবাসায়' চাপা পড়েছে স্বৈরাচার প্রতিরোধ দিবস|website=jagonews24.com|language=en-US|access-date=February 14, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829145014/https://www.jagonews24.com/national/news/212941|url-status=live}}</ref>

====China====
{{see also|The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl}}
In Chinese, Valentine's Day is called "lovers' festival" ({{zh|s=情人节|t=情人節}}; [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]]: ''Qīng Rén Jié''; [[Hokkien]]: ''Chêng Lîn Chiat''; [[Cantonese language|Cantonese]]: ''Chìhng Yàhn Jit''; [[Shanghainese language|Shanghainese]] ''Xin Yin Jiq''). The "Chinese Valentine's Day" is the [[Qixi Festival]] (meaning "The Night of Sevens"; {{zh|c=七夕|p=Qi Xi}}), celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. According to the legend, the [[Altair|Cowherd star]] and the [[Vega|Weaver Maid star]] are normally separated by the [[Milky Way]] (silvery river) but are allowed to meet by crossing it on the seventh day of the seventh month of the [[Chinese calendar]].<ref>{{cite book| last=Schomp| first=Virginia| title=The ancient Chinese| date=2009| publisher=Marshall Cavendish Benchmark| location=New York| isbn=978-0-7614-4216-5| page=70}}</ref>

In recent years, celebrating [[White Day]] has also become fashionable among some young people.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.china.org.cn/archive/2007-03/13/content_1202804.htm | title=White Day Triggers Consumption Enthusiasm | work=china.org.cn | publisher=China Internet Information Center | access-date=March 13, 2014 | archive-date=December 6, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206092055/http://www.china.org.cn/archive/2007-03/13/content_1202804.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>

====India====
{{Main|Valentine's Day in India}}
In ancient India, there was a tradition of adoring [[Kamadeva]], the lord of love – exemplified by the erotic carvings in the [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments]] and by the writing of the ''[[Kamasutra]]''.<ref name="rana">{{cite web |title=India's fascination with Valentine's Day |author=Rana, Vijay |work=[[BBC]] |date=February 14, 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1820440.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202102700/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1820440.stm |archive-date=December 2, 2014}}</ref> This tradition was lost around the [[Medieval India|Middle Ages]], when Kamadeva was no longer celebrated, and public displays of sexual affection became frowned upon.<ref name="rana"/> This repression of public affections began to loosen in the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/11/the-politics-of-pda-in-india-kiss-protest/382877/ |title=The Politics of PDA in India |last=Basu |first=Tanya |date=November 18, 2014 |work=The Atlantic |access-date=February 13, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073445/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/11/the-politics-of-pda-in-india-kiss-protest/382877/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Valentine's Day celebrations did not catch on in India until around 1992. It was spread due to the programs in commercial TV channels, such as [[MTV]], dedicated radio programs, and love letter competitions, in addition to an economical liberalization that allowed the explosion of the valentine card industry.<ref name="rana" /><ref name="derne"/> The celebration has caused a sharp change on how people have been displaying their affection in public since the Middle Ages.<ref name="rana"/>

On a 2018 online survey, it was found that 68% of the respondents did not wish to celebrate Valentine's Day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why most Indians do not find Valentine's Day special|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/2018/feb/13/why-most-indians-do-not-find-valentines-day-special-1772745.html|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=The New Indian Express|date=February 13, 2018 |archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926115649/https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/2018/feb/13/why-most-indians-do-not-find-valentines-day-special-1772745.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It can be also observed that different religious groups, including Hindu,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Subscribe|title=Beware of Valentine's Day – A cultural conversion of Hindus !|url=https://www.hindujagruti.org/hindu-issues/western-influence/valentine-day|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Hindu Janajagruti Samiti|language=en-US|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214023304/https://www.hindujagruti.org/hindu-issues/western-influence/valentine-day|url-status=live}}</ref> Muslim<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 12, 2017|title=Islamic body urges youths not to celebrate V-Day in country's interest|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/islamic-body-urges-youths-not-to-celebrate-v-day-in-country-s-interest/story-QtvrtgXKPXboa5SmqGn5xI.html|access-date=February 14, 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226214519/https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/islamic-body-urges-youths-not-to-celebrate-v-day-in-country-s-interest/story-QtvrtgXKPXboa5SmqGn5xI.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Christian people of India do not support Valentine's Day.

In modern times, Hindu and Islamic<ref name="monger"/> traditionalists have considered the holiday to be cultural contamination from the West, a result of globalization in India.<ref name="rana"/><ref name="derne"/> [[Shiv Sena (1966–2022)|Shiv Sena]] and the [[Sangh Parivar]] have asked their followers to shun the holiday and the "public admission of love" because of them being "alien to Indian culture".<ref name="sandbrook">{{Cite book |title= Civilizing globalization: a survival guide |series= SUNY series in radical social and political theory |editor= Richard Sandbrook |author= Anil Mathew Varughese |chapter= Globalization versus cultural authenticity? Valentine's Day and Hindu values |edition= illustrated |publisher= [[SUNY Press]] |year= 2003 |page= 53 |isbn= 978-0-7914-5667-5 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=XSZD-bpo3S8C |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150915000124/https://books.google.com/books?id=XSZD-bpo3S8C |archive-date= September 15, 2015 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> Although these protests are organized by political elites, the protesters themselves are middle-class Hindu men who fear that the globalization will destroy the traditions in their society: [[arranged marriage]]s, [[Hindu joint family|Hindu joint families]], [[Housewife#In India and Pakistan|full-time mothers]], etc.<ref name="derne">{{Cite book |title= Gender and globalization in Asia and the Pacific: method, practice, theory |editor1= Kathy E. Ferguson |editor2= Monique Mironesco |chapter= 7. Globalizing gender culture. Transnational cultural flows and the intensification of male dominance in India |author= Steve Derné |publisher= [[University of Hawaii Press]] |pages= 127–129 |year= 2008 |isbn= 978-0-8248-3241-4 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=60o6NLFlbhoC |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150913214911/https://books.google.com/books?id=60o6NLFlbhoC |archive-date= September 13, 2015 |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="monger">{{cite book |title= Marriage customs of the world: from henna to honeymoons |author= George Monger |edition= illustrated |publisher= [[ABC-CLIO]] |year= 2004 |isbn= 978-1-57607-987-4 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=o8JlWxBYs40C |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151021194854/https://books.google.com/books?id=o8JlWxBYs40C |archive-date= October 21, 2015 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> Despite these obstacles, Valentine's Day is becoming increasingly popular in India.<ref name="bbcanger">{{cite web|title=Hindu and Muslim anger at Valentine's |date=February 11, 2003 |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2749667.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305185633/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2749667.stm |archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref>

Valentine's Day has been strongly criticized from a [[postcolonial]] perspective by intellectuals from the Indian left. The holiday is regarded as a front for "Western imperialism", "[[neocolonialism]]", and "the exploitation of working classes through [[commercialism]] by [[multinational corporation]]s".<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Sharma|first1= Satya|year= 1996|title= The cultural costs of a globalized economy for India |journal= Dialectical Anthropology |volume=21 |issue= 3–4|pages= 299–316 |doi= 10.1007/BF00245771|s2cid= 144173442 |issn = 0304-4092 }}</ref> It is claimed that as a result of Valentine's Day, the [[working class]]es and [[Rural poverty|rural poor]] become more disconnected socially, politically, and geographically from the hegemonic [[capitalist]] power structure. They also criticize mainstream media attacks on Indians opposed to Valentine's Day as a form of [[demonization]] that is designed and derived to further the Valentine's Day agenda.<ref>{{cite book |last= Mankekar|first= Purnima|year= 1999|title= Screening, Culture, Viewing Politics: An Ethnography of Television, Womanhood Nation in Postcolonial India |publisher= Duke University Press|isbn= 0-8223-2390-7}}</ref><ref>As quoted in 'India Today: Pot Pourri Generation' September 15 issue, 2005</ref>
Right wing [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalists]] are also hostile. In February 2012, [[Subash Chouhan]] of the [[Bajrang Dal]] warned couples: "They cannot kiss or hug in public places. Our activists will beat them up".<ref>{{cite journal
 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-14/bhubaneswar/31058660_1_couples-malls-bajrang-dal
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514091821/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-14/bhubaneswar/31058660_1_couples-malls-bajrang-dal
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=May 14, 2012
|journal=[[The Times of India]]
 |title=Valentine's Day: Fear stalks couples on day of love
 |date=February 14, 2012
|access-date=April 21, 2012}}</ref>
He said "We are not against love, but we criticize vulgar exhibition of love at public places".<ref>{{cite journal
 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-15/bhubaneswar/31062703_1_bajrang-dal-couples-dal-workers
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514104326/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-15/bhubaneswar/31062703_1_bajrang-dal-couples-dal-workers
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=May 14, 2012
|journal=[[The Times of India]]
 |title=Bajrang Dal threat keeps couples at bay on V-Day
 |date=February 15, 2012
|access-date=April 21, 2012}}</ref>

According to ''[[The Hindu]]'' in February 2023, the [[Animal Welfare Board of India]] appealed to Indians to celebrate February 14 as "Cow Hug Day" for "emotional richness" and to increase "individual and collective happiness."  The newspaper referenced the [[Cattle in religion and mythology#Sacred status of cow|sacredness of cows]] as being equivalent to one's mother in Indian culture, and further rued: ".. [[Vedic period|Vedic traditions]] are almost on the verge of extinction due to the progress of [[Western culture]] over time. The dazzle of Western civilization has made our physical culture and heritage almost forgotten".<ref>{{Cite news |publisher=The Hindu Bureau |date=February 8, 2023 |title=Animal Welfare Board wants to mark February 14 as Cow Hug Day |language=en-IN |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/celebrate-cow-hug-day-on-february-14-animal-welfare-board-of-india/article66485661.ece |access-date=February 12, 2023 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210232243/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/celebrate-cow-hug-day-on-february-14-animal-welfare-board-of-india/article66485661.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> 

According to Rhea Mogul of CNN, a 2017 photo series Indian women sporting cow masks by activist Sujatro Ghosh portrays a society in which cows are more valued than women. Mogul says authorities had advanced the idea to rebrand Valentine's Day as "Cow Hug Day". Mogul says, "But the move seems to have failed and later retracted after it prompted a rush of internet memes, cartoons and jokes by TV hosts about the importance of consent." Media outlets like NDTV mocked the government's plan by underlining the importance of the consent of cows before hugging them. Mogul says critics say [[Cattle in religion and mythology|cow-worship]] has been politically manipulated by cow vigilante motivated by conservative [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]'s majoritarian politics to harass minorities with allegations of disrespect of cows or [[Cattle slaughter in India|cow slaughter]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mogul |first=Rhea |date=February 12, 2023 |title=India tried to rebrand Valentine's Day as 'Cow Hug Day.' Here's how it backfired |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/11/india/india-valentines-day-cow-hug-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=February 12, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212145623/https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/11/india/india-valentines-day-cow-hug-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Iran====
{{Main|Valentine's Day in Iran}}
[[File:Persian_Valentine's_Day_Karaji_(50957801252)_-_Edited.jpg|thumb|Part of a celebration of Valentine's Day in [[Tehran]].]]
The history of Valentine's Day in [[Iran]] dates back to the [[Qajar Iran|Qajar era]] of the latter half of the 19th century. [[Naser al-Din Shah Qajar]] did not take his wife with him during his trip to Europe and he sent her a greeting card from distance on Valentine's Day. This greeting card is available in Iranian museums.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2020 |title=Who brought Valentine to Iran? |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/409141/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%DA%86%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF |website=Imna News |language=Fa |access-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809113123/https://www.imna.ir/news/409141/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%DA%86%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since the mid-2000s, Valentine's Day has become increasingly popular in Iran, especially among young people. However, it has also been the subject of heavy criticism from Iranian conservatives, who see it as part of the spread of "decadent" Western culture.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iran shops banned from selling Valentine gifts |url=https://www.iranfocus.com/en/iran-general/22507-iran-shops-banned-from-selling-valentine-gifts/ |website=Iran Focus |publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]] |date=January 2, 2011 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916155956/https://www.iranfocus.com/en/iran-general/22507-iran-shops-banned-from-selling-valentine-gifts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2011, authorities have attempted to discourage celebrations and impose restrictions on the sale and production of Valentine's Day-related goods, although the holiday remains popular as of 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iranians celebrate Valentine's Day, despite its being banned |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/iranians-celebrate-valentines-day-despite-its-being-banned/ |website=[[The Seattle Times]] |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916194702/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/iranians-celebrate-valentines-day-despite-its-being-banned/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, there have been efforts to revive the ancient Persian festival of [[Sepandārmazgān]], which takes place around the same time, to replace Valentine's Day. However, as of 2016, this has also been largely unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fararu.com/fa/news/262279/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86 |title=راه درست برخورد با ولنتاین |access-date=February 19, 2020 |agency=fararunews |date=February 19, 2017 |language=fa |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216170742/https://fararu.com/fa/news/262279/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Israel====
In [[Israel]], the Jewish tradition of [[Tu B'Av]] has been revived and transformed into the Jewish equivalent of Valentine's Day. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of [[Av (month)|Av]] (usually in late August). 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). Today, Tu B'Av is celebrated as a second holiday of love by secular people (along with Valentine's Day), and it shares many of the customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day in Western societies. In modern Israeli culture Tu B'Av is a popular day to proclaim love, propose marriage, and give gifts like cards or flowers.<ref>{{cite news |title= Evolution of Tu Be'av into Jewish Valentine's Day |date= February 8, 2012 |work= [[The Jerusalem Post]] |author= Binyamin Kagedan |url= https://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishFeatures/Article.aspx?id=279840 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130310234015/http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishFeatures/Article.aspx?id=279840 |archive-date= March 10, 2013 |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

====Japan====
In Japan, [[Morozoff Ltd.]] introduced the holiday for the first time in 1936, when it ran an advertisement aimed at foreigners. Later, in 1953, it began promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates; other Japanese confectionery companies followed suit thereafter. In 1958, the [[Isetan]] [[Department stores in Japan|department store]] ran a "Valentine sale". Further campaigns during the 1960s popularized the custom.<ref name=japantimes>{{cite news |last=Gordenker |first=Alice |title=White Day |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/03/21/news/white-day/ |work=[[The Japan Times]] |date=March 21, 2006 |access-date=June 30, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106054215/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/03/21/news/white-day/ |archive-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref><ref name="rupp">{{Cite book |title= Gift-giving in Japan: cash, connections, cosmologies |author= Katherine Rupp |edition= illustrated |publisher= [[Stanford University Press]] |year= 2003 |isbn= 0-8047-4704-0 |pages= 149–151 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=KHkyUp-EH2MC&q=japan+valentine%27s+day&pg=PA145 |access-date= November 4, 2020 |archive-date= March 24, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230324141209/https://books.google.com/books?id=KHkyUp-EH2MC&q=japan+valentine%27s+day&pg=PA145 |url-status= live }}</ref>

[[File:Valentine's chocolates in Japan 2.jpg|thumb|Valentine's chocolates in Japan]]
The custom that only women give chocolates to men may have originated from the translation error of a chocolate-company executive during the initial campaigns.<ref name="jasgp">{{Cite web |title=Valentine's Day in Japan |author=Chris Yeager |date=February 13, 2009 |publisher=[[Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia]] (JASGP) |url= http://jasgp.org/content/view/636/179/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725083844/http://jasgp.org/content/view/636/179/ |archive-date=July 25, 2011 }}</ref> In particular, [[Office lady|office ladies]] give chocolate to their co-workers. Unlike western countries, gifts such as greeting cards,<ref name="jasgp"/> candies, [[flower]]s, or [[dating|dinner dates]]<ref name="yoshimura"/> are uncommon, and most of the gifts-related activity is about giving the right amount of chocolate to each person.<ref name="jasgp"/> Japanese chocolate companies make half their annual sales during this time of the year.<ref name="jasgp"/>

Many women feel obliged to give chocolates to all male co-workers, except when the day falls on a Sunday, a holiday. This is known as {{nihongo3||義理チョコ|[[giri choco|giri-choko]]}}, from {{transliteration|ja|[[Giri (Japanese)|giri]]}} ('obligation') and {{transliteration|ja|choko}}, ('chocolate'), with unpopular co-workers receiving only {{nihongo|"ultra-obligatory"|超義理チョコ|chō-giri choko}} cheap chocolate. This contrasts with {{nihongo3|lit. "true feeling chocolate"|本命チョコ|[[honmei choco|honmei-choko]]}}, chocolate given to a loved one. Friends, especially girls, may exchange chocolate referred to as {{nihongo3|from {{transliteration|ja|'tomo'}} meaning "friend"|友チョコ|tomo-choko}}.<ref>{{cite book | title = [[Office Ladies and Salaried Men: Power, Gender, and Work in Japanese Companies]] | author = Yuko Ogasawara | edition = illustrated | editor = [[University of California Press]] | year = 1998 | isbn = 0-520-21044-1 | pages = [https://books.google.com/books?id=9_yjfAZo4jIC&q=japan+chocolate+saint+valentin&pg=PA98 98]–113, 142–154, 156, 163 | url =  | publisher = [[University of California Press]]| location = Berkeley }}</ref>

In the 1980s, the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association launched a successful campaign to make March 14 a "reply day", on which men are expected to return the favour to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day, calling it [[White Day]] for the color of the chocolates being offered. A previous failed attempt to popularize this celebration had been done by a [[marshmallow]] manufacturer who wanted men to return marshmallows to women.<ref name="japantimes"/><ref name="rupp"/>

In Japan, the romantic "date night" associated with Valentine's Day is celebrated on [[Christmas Eve]].<ref>{{cite web |date= February 14, 2007 |author= Ron Huza |title= Lost in translation: The cultural divide over Valentine's Day |work= [[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Gazette]] |url= http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=2ae6a44a-2f29-45a3-a257-2a13b3d3149d |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084251/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=2ae6a44a-2f29-45a3-a257-2a13b3d3149d |archive-date= March 4, 2016 |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

==== Malaysia ====
Islamic officials in [[West 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. Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, head of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department ([[JAKIM#Official religion|Jakim]]), which oversees the country's Islamic policies said that a [[fatwa]] (ruling) issued by the country's top clerics in 2005 noted that the day "is associated with elements of Christianity," and "we just cannot get involved with other religions' worshipping [[ritual]]s." Jakim officials planned to carry out a nationwide campaign called "Awas Jerat Valentine's Day" ("Mind the Valentine's Day Trap"), aimed at preventing Muslims from celebrating the day on February 14, 2011. Activities included conducting raids in hotels to stop young couples from having unlawful sex and distributing leaflets to Muslim university students warning them against the day.<ref>{{cite news |title=Malaysian Muslims warned against Valentine's Day |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=February 13, 2011 |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_634485.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429094726/http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_634485.html |archive-date=April 29, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Malaysia Warns Muslims of Valentine's Day Trap |work=BBC News |date=February 13, 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12443104 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104223300/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12443104 |archive-date=January 4, 2016}}</ref>

On Valentine's Day 2011, West Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples concerning the celebration ban. Some of them would be charged in the Shariah Court for defying the department's ban against the celebration of Valentine's Day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/malaysia-arrests-100-muslim-couples-for-celebrating-lovers-day/422743 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219111614/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/malaysia-arrests-100-muslim-couples-for-celebrating-lovers-day/422743 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 19, 2011 |title=Malaysia Arrests 100 Muslim Couples for Celebrating Lovers' Day |newspaper=The Jakarta Globe |access-date=August 6, 2011 }}</ref>

In [[East Malaysia]], the celebrations are much more tolerated among young Muslim couples, although some Islamic officials and Muslim activists from the West side have told younger generations to refrain from such celebration by organising da'wah and tried to spread their ban into the East.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabah.org.my/mns/allPDF/TAZKIRAH%2029%20090106%20Valentine%20Day.pdf|title=[Tazkirah] Kemungkaran 'Valentine Day'|language=ms|work=Sabah State Mosque Da'wah|publisher=Sabah.org.my|access-date=February 10, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080920/http://www.sabah.org.my/mns/allPDF/TAZKIRAH%2029%20090106%20Valentine%20Day.pdf|archive-date=February 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read.cfm?NewsID=1474|title=Too much power surrendered to Imams and Muftis|newspaper=Daily Express|date=January 18, 2015|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210041124/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read.cfm?NewsID=1474|archive-date=February 10, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In both the states of [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]], the celebration is usually common with flowers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/02/12/romantic-valentines-day-roses/|title=Romantic Valentine's Day roses|author=PU Chien|newspaper=The Borneo Post|date=February 12, 2012|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210035944/http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/02/12/romantic-valentines-day-roses/|archive-date=February 10, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=106783|title=Valentine's Day on weekday brings more sales: Florists|newspaper=Daily Express|date=February 14, 2016|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210040420/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=106783|archive-date=February 10, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/02/14/banknote-flowers-a-popular-valentines-gift-in-sibu/|title=Banknote flowers a popular Valentine's gift in Sibu|newspaper=The Borneo Post|date=February 14, 2016|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210040756/http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/02/14/banknote-flowers-a-popular-valentines-gift-in-sibu/|archive-date=February 10, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Pakistan ====
{{Main|Valentine's Day in Pakistan}}
The concept of Valentine's Day was introduced into Pakistan during the late 1990s with special TV and radio programs. The [[Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan|Jamaat-e-Islami]] political party has called for the banning of Valentine's Day celebration.<ref name="bbcanger"/> Despite this, the celebration is becoming popular among urban youth and the florists expect to sell a great number of flowers, especially red roses. The case is the same with card publishers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flower sellers await Valentine's Day |newspaper=[[The Nation (Pakistani newspaper)|The Nation]] |date=February 8, 2010 |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/08-Feb-2010/flower-sellers-await-valentines-day |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427063605/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Islamabad/08-Feb-2010/Flower-sellers-await-Valentines-Day |archive-date=April 27, 2011 }}</ref>

In 2016, the local governing body of [[Peshwar]] officially banned the celebration of Valentine's Day in the city. The ban was also implemented in other cities such as [[Kohat]] by the local governments.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pakistan-valentines-day-celebrations-banned-peshawar-1543705 "Pakistan: Valentine's Day celebrations banned in Peshawar"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008063036/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pakistan-valentines-day-celebrations-banned-peshawar-1543705 |date=October 8, 2016 }} February 13, 2016</ref>

In 2017, the [[Islamabad High Court]] banned Valentine's Day celebrations in public places in Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/130958-Islamabad-High-Court-bans-Valentines-day-celebrations-in-public-places|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213120222/https://www.geo.tv/latest/130958-Islamabad-High-Court-bans-Valentines-day-celebrations-in-public-places|url-status=dead|title=Islamabad High Court bans Valentine's day celebrations in public places|archivedate=February 13, 2017|website=www.geo.tv}}</ref> More than 80% of [[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] readers polled on its website agreed with this decision.<ref name="spriha" />

In 2018, because of a petition by a citizen, Abdul Waheed, the [[Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority]] advised broadcasters and newspapers against airing any Valentine's Day celebrations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dawn.com|first=Sanaullah Khan|date=February 7, 2018|title=Don't promote Valentine's Day, Pemra reminds broadcasters|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1387920|access-date=January 15, 2022|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115003958/https://www.dawn.com/news/1387920|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=February 8, 2018|title=Love is in the air, but not on airwaves as Pakistan bans Valentine's Day|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-valentines-day-pakistan-idUSKBN1FS1XP|access-date=January 15, 2022|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115003958/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-valentines-day-pakistan-idUSKBN1FS1XP|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Philippines====
In the [[Philippines]], Valentine's Day is called {{lang|fil|Araw ng mga Puso}} in much the same manner as in the West. It is usually marked by a steep increase in the price of flowers, particularly red roses.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://beta.philstar.com/nation/2015/02/13/1423310/flower-prices-double-ahead-valentines-day |title=Flower prices double ahead of Valentine's Day |date=February 13, 2015 |work=Philippine Star |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118061607/http://beta.philstar.com/nation/2015/02/13/1423310/flower-prices-double-ahead-valentines-day |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the most popular day for weddings,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/phillipines/ |title=Valentine's Day Traditions Around the World |last=Springer |first=Kate |date=February 13, 2012 |magazine=Time |access-date=February 13, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X |archive-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221110519/http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/phillipines/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with some localities offering mass ceremonies for no charge.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/bayanihan/2017/02/18/hundreds-wed-each-year-valentines-day-philippines/97540694/ |title=Hundreds wed each year on Valentine's Day in Philippines |date=February 18, 2017 |work=Pacific Daily News |access-date=February 13, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324141018/https://www.guampdn.com/news/local/hundreds-wed-each-year-on-valentines-day-in-philippines/article_3542dcc2-815f-539c-9345-264469ea0c17.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Saudi Arabia====
In [[Saudi Arabia]], in 2002 and 2008, [[Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)|religious police]] banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items, telling shop workers to remove any red items, because the day is considered a Christian holiday.<ref name="bbc 2002">{{cite news |title=Cooling the ardour of Valentine's Day |work=BBC News |date=February 3, 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1818642.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306053659/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1818642.stm |archive-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref><ref name="bbc saudi"/> This ban has created a [[black market]] for [[rose]]s and [[wrapping paper]].<ref name="bbc saudi">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7239005.stm |title=Saudis clamp down on valentines |work=BBC News |date=February 11, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112212609/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7239005.stm |archive-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="LA Times 2010">{{cite news |title= Saudi officials put the squeeze on Valentine's Day |author= Lutz, Meris |date= February 13, 2010 |newspaper= [[LA Times]] |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-13-la-fg-saudi-valentine13-2010feb13-story.html |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160306125412/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/13/world/la-fg-saudi-valentine13-2010feb13 |archive-date= March 6, 2016 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> In 2012, the religious police arrested more than 140 Muslims for celebrating the holiday, and confiscated all red roses from flower shops.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Religious police swoop on Valentine's Day lovers |date= February 15, 2012 |author= BBC |work= ABC News |url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-15/saudi-heart-breakers/3830624 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160205131410/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-15/saudi-heart-breakers/3830624 |archive-date= February 5, 2016 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> Muslims are not allowed to celebrate the holiday, and non-Muslims can celebrate only behind closed doors.<ref name="saudi 2013">{{Cite web |title= Police, Hai'a deny special Valentine's Day crackdowns |author1= Fatima Muhammad |author2= Mariam Nihal |name-list-style= amp |date= February 14, 2013 |work= [[Saudi Gazette]] |url= http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130214153122 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121823/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130214153122 |archive-date= September 24, 2015 |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

"Saudi cleric Sheikh Muhammad Al-'Arifi said on Valentine's Day Eve that celebrating this holiday constitutes [[bid'a]] – a forbidden innovation and deviation from religious law and custom – and mimicry of the West."<ref>Raialyoum.com, February 13, 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/7994.htm#_edn2 "Saudis Sentenced To Prison, Flogging For Celebrating Valentine's Day."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104223259/http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/7994.htm#_edn2 |date=January 4, 2016 }} MEMRI.org. May 20, 2014.</ref>

However, in 2017 and 2018, after a [[fatwa]] was widely circulated, the religious police did not prevent Muslims from celebrating the day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1246766/saudi-arabia |title=Un-forbidden love: Saudis enjoy second 'religious police-free' Valentine's Day |access-date=November 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207104420/http://www.arabnews.com/node/1246766/saudi-arabia |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2018, Sheikh Ahmed Qasim Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi cleric and former president of the [[Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)|Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice]], said that Valentine's Day is not haram and is compatible with Islamic values.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 15, 2018|title=Valentine is not 'haram', says ex-Saudi religious police boss|url=https://arab.news/5t39k|access-date=January 15, 2022|website=Arab News|language=en|archive-date=March 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324140945/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1247011/saudi-arabia|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=AFP|date=February 15, 2018|title=Saudi cleric endorses Valentine's Day as 'positive event'|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1389589|access-date=January 15, 2022|website=Dawn.com|language=en|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115003959/https://www.dawn.com/news/1389589|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Singapore====
According to findings, [[Singapore]]ans are among the biggest spenders on Valentine's Day, with 60% of Singaporeans indicating that they would spend between $100 and $500 during the season leading up to the holiday.<ref name="showbizandstyle.inquirer.net"/>

====South Korea====
In [[South Korea]], women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14 ([[White Day]]). On April 14 (Black Day), those who did not receive anything on February or March 14 go to a Chinese-Korean restaurant to eat black noodles ({{korean|짜장면||[[jajangmyeon]]|labels=no}}) and lament their "single life".<ref name=yoshimura /> Koreans also celebrate [[Pepero Day]] on November 11, when young couples give each other pepero cookies. The date "11/11" is intended to resemble the long shape of the cookie. The 14th of every month marks a love-related day in Korea, although most of them are obscure. From January to December, the sequence of these days is Candle Day, Valentine's Day, White Day, [[Black Day (South Korea)|Black Day]], Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centredaily.com/479/story/1118881.html |title=Korea rivals U.S. in romantic holidays |access-date=February 15, 2009 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217041952/http://www.centredaily.com/479/story/1118881.html |archive-date=February 17, 2009 }}, ''Centre Daily Times'', February 14, 2009.</ref> Korean women give a much higher amount of chocolate than Japanese women.<ref name=yoshimura>{{cite journal |title= No matter where you're from, Valentine's Day still means the same |author= Risa Yoshimura |volume= 78 |issue= 18 |date= February 14, 2006 |journal= [[The Pacer]] |url= http://pacer.utm.edu/2926.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060427124136/http://pacer.utm.edu/2926.htm |archive-date= April 27, 2006 }}</ref>

====Taiwan====
[[Image:TAIPEI 101 in Valentine's Day.JPG|thumb|[[Taipei 101]] in Valentine's Day 2006]]
In [[Republic of China|Taiwan]], traditional [[Qixi Festival]], Valentine's Day and White Day are all celebrated. However, the situation is the reverse of Japan's. Men give gifts to women on Valentine's Day, and women return them on [[White Day]].<ref name=yoshimura />

===Europe===

====Estonia and Finland====
In Finland, Valentine's Day is called {{lang|fi|ystävänpäivä}} ('Friend's Day'). As the name indicates, this day is more about remembering friends, not significant others. In Estonia, Valentine's Day was originally called {{lang|et|valentinipäev}} and later also {{lang|et|sõbrapäev}} ('Friend's Day') as a [[calque]] of the Finnish term.<ref name="s6brap2ev">{{cite web|url=http://www.folklore.ee/Berta/tahtpaev-valentinipaev.php|title=BERTA – Eesti rahvakalendri tähtpäevade andmebaas|work=folklore.ee|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219074035/http://www.folklore.ee/Berta/tahtpaev-valentinipaev.php|archive-date=February 19, 2016}}</ref>

====France====
In France, a traditionally [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] country, Valentine's Day is known simply as "[[Saint Valentine|Saint Valentin]]", and is celebrated in much the same way as other Western countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://travelfranceonline.com/valentines-day-saint-valentin-tradition/|title=Traditions in france for valentine's day celebration|date=January 23, 2015|newspaper=Culture x Tourism|language=en-US|access-date=January 25, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020308/https://travelfranceonline.com/valentines-day-saint-valentin-tradition/|archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> The relics of Saint Valentin de Terni, the patron of the St Valentine's Day, are in the Catholic church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Saint-Jean-l’Evangéliste, located in the southern France town of [[Roquemaure, Gard]]. The celebrations of {{lang|fr|"Fête des Amoureux"}} takes place every two years on the Sunday closest to February 14. The village gets dressed in its 19th-century costume and put on the program with over 800 people.

====Greece====
Saint Valentine's Day, or {{lang|el|Ημέρα του Αγίου Βαλεντίνου}} in Greek tradition, was not associated with romantic love. In the Eastern Orthodox church there is another saint who protects people who are in love, [[Hyacinth of Caesarea]] (feast day July 3); but this was not widely known until the late 1990s.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cretegazette.com/2009-02/agios-yakinthos.php |title=Agios Yakinthos |date=February 1, 2009 |work=Crete Gazette |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073555/https://www.cretegazette.com/2009-02/agios-yakinthos.php |url-status=live }}</ref> In contemporary Greece, Valentine's Day is generally celebrated as in the common western tradition.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.grreporter.info/en/young_greeks_celebrate_valentines_day_home/6100 |title=Young Greeks celebrate Valentine's Day at home |date=February 14, 2012 |work=GR Reporter |access-date=February 13, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073614/http://www.grreporter.info/en/young_greeks_celebrate_valentines_day_home/6100 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Ireland====
[[Image:Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church.JPG|thumb|Many Christians make a [[Christian pilgrimage|pilgrimage]] to [[Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church]] in Dublin on Saint Valentine's Day to implore the [[Intercession of saints|intercession]] of Saint Valentine in their [[Christian prayer|prayers]], with the hope of finding true love<ref name="IrishCentral2017"/>]]
On Saint Valentine's Day in Ireland, many individuals who seek true love make a [[Christian pilgrimage]] to the Shrine of St. Valentine in [[Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church]] in Dublin, which is said to house relics of Saint Valentine of Rome; they [[Christian prayer|pray]] at the shrine in hope of finding romance.<ref name="IrishCentral2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcentral.com/travel/love-seekers-show-up-at-st-valentines-resting-place-in-dublin-116076619-237369251|title=Love-seekers show up at St. Valentine's resting place in Dublin|date=February 10, 2017|publisher=IrishCentral|access-date=February 14, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214183306/http://www.irishcentral.com/travel/love-seekers-show-up-at-st-valentines-resting-place-in-dublin-116076619-237369251|archive-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref> There lies a book in which foreigners and locals have written their prayer requests for love.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/7212675/Irish-priests-keep-a-candle-for-Saint-Valentine.html|title=Irish priests keep a candle for Saint Valentine|last=Hecker|first=Jurgen|date=February 11, 2010|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|language=en|access-date=February 6, 2018|quote=A book in the church is filled with countless wishes addressed to the patron saint of lovers, while a steady stream of locals and visitors alike pray here for help in their amorous quests. "God has someone in mind for me, and I obviously haven't met him yet. So I just hope that Saint Valentine will assist me, that I will find him," said one female visitor. Another added: "We just prayed to find the right one, and I believe I will be led to him when the time is right."|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207011336/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/7212675/Irish-priests-keep-a-candle-for-Saint-Valentine.html|archive-date=February 7, 2018}}</ref>

==== Poland ====
Saint Valentine's Day was introduced to Poland together with the cult of Saint Valentine via [[Bavaria]] and [[Tyrol]].<ref name="Chelmo">{{Cite web|title=Patron zakochanych – Chełmno – miasto zakochanych|url=https://chelmno.pl/pl/category/miasto-zakochanych/patron-zakochanych/|access-date=February 14, 2021|language=pl-PL|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214234240/https://chelmno.pl/pl/category/miasto-zakochanych/patron-zakochanych/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, it rose in popularity in the 1990s.<ref name="Chelmo" /> The only public celebration in Poland is held annually from 2002 in [[Chełmno]]<ref name="Chelmo" /> under the name {{lang|pl|"Walentynki Chełmińskie"}} (Chełmno Valentine's). Because Chełmno's parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been holding the [[relic]] of Saint Valentine since the Middle Ages, local cult of the saint has been combined with the Anglo-Saxon tradition.<ref name="Chelmo" />

====Portugal====
In Portugal, the holiday is known as {{lang|pt|"Dia dos Namorados"}} (Lovers' Day / Day of the Enamoured). As elsewhere, couples exchange gifts, but in some regions, women give a {{lang|pt|lenço de namorados}} ("lovers' handkerchief"), which is usually embroidered with love motifs.<ref name="Poelzl2009">{{cite book|last=Poelzl|first=Volker|title=CultureShock! Portugal: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cRqJAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA174|access-date=February 14, 2018|year=2009|publisher=Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd|isbn=9789814435628|page=174}}</ref>

====Romania====
In recent years, Romania has also started celebrating Valentine's Day. This has drawn backlash from several groups, institutions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cultura.ro/Documents.aspx?ID=190 |title=Valentine's Day versus Dragobete |access-date=February 14, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627093822/http://www.cultura.ro/Documents.aspx?ID=190 |archive-date=June 27, 2010 }}, cultura.ro {{in lang|ro}}</ref> and nationalist organizations like [[Noua Dreaptă]], who condemn Valentine's Day for being superficial, commercialist, and imported Western [[kitsch]]. In order to counter the perceived denaturation of national culture, [[Dragobete]], a spring festival celebrated in parts of Southern Romania, has been rekindled after having been ignored during the Communist years as the traditional Romanian holiday for lovers. The holiday is named after a character from Romanian folklore who was supposed to be the son of [[Baba Dochia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rolandia.eu/dragobete-celebrating-love-romanian-style/|title=Dragobete 's Day – Celebrating love in the Romanian style|website=Romania Tours|language=en-US|access-date=March 2, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307021851/http://www.rolandia.eu/dragobete-celebrating-love-romanian-style/|url-status=live}}</ref> Its date used to vary depending on the geographical area, however nowadays it is commonly observed on February 24.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.elenacuza.ro/site/finlanda/dragobeteeng.htm |title=dragobeteeng |last=Cuza |first=Elena |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217043014/http://www.elenacuza.ro/site/finlanda/dragobeteeng.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Scandinavia====
In [[Denmark]] and [[Norway]], February 14 is known as {{lang|no|Valentinsdag}}, and is celebrated in much the same manner as in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Skandiblog">{{Cite web |url=http://skandihome.com/skandiblog/inspiration/valentines-day-the-scandinavian-way/ |title=Valentine's Day the Scandinavian way |last=Ripa |first=Ellen |date=February 6, 2017 |website=Skandiblog |language=en-US |publisher=Skandihome |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073458/http://skandihome.com/skandiblog/inspiration/valentines-day-the-scandinavian-way/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[Sweden]] it is called {{lang|sv|Alla hjärtans dag}} ("All Hearts' Day") but is not widely celebrated. A 2016 survey revealed that fewer than 50% of men and women were planning to buy presents for their partners.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/650924/survey-on-valentine-s-day-celebration-traditions-in-sweden-by-gender/ |title=Sweden: Valentine's Day celebration traditions by gender 2016 |website=Statista |language=en |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214202710/https://www.statista.com/statistics/650924/survey-on-valentine-s-day-celebration-traditions-in-sweden-by-gender/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The holiday has only been observed since the 1960s.<ref name="Skandiblog"/>

====Spain====
The holiday was first introduced in Spain through a 1948 advertisement campaign by the department store chain [[Galerías Preciados]],<ref name="abc_es" /> and had become widespread by the 1970s.<ref name="abc_es">{{Cite web|date=February 13, 2014|title=Y San Valentín llegó a España de mano de Galerías Preciados|url=https://www.abc.es/historia/20140214/abci-valentin-llego-espana-201401281300.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214101116/https://www.abc.es/historia/20140214/abci-valentin-llego-espana-201401281300.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2021|access-date=February 14, 2022|website=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]]|language=es}}</ref>

Known as "San Valentín", the holiday is celebrated the same way as in the rest of the West. However, in [[Catalonia]], the celebration is overshadowed by the highly popular [[Saint George's Day in Catalonia|Saint George's Day]] (Catalan: ''Diada de Sant Jordi''), a [[Catalans|Catalan]] tradition established in the late Middle Ages which already serves to the same romantic purpose of Valentine's Day.<ref name="Amades-1952">{{Cite book |last=Amades |first=Joan |title=Costumari Català. El curs de l'any |publisher=Salvat Edicions |year=1952 |edition=2nd |location=Barcelona |pages=285–307 |language=Catalan}}</ref>

====United Kingdom====
[[File:1920s Dancers Royal Palace Hotel - The Shining.jpg|thumb|right|Valentine's dance and ballroom dancing competition at the [[Royal Garden Hotel|Royal Palace Hotel]] in Kensington, London, Valentine's Day 1921]]
In the UK, just under half of the population spends money on their valentines. Around £1.3&nbsp;billion is spent yearly on cards, flowers, chocolates, and other gifts, with an estimated 25 million cards sent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Last Valentine's Day I was in a relationship. This year I'm single – and I know I'll enjoy it |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/last-valentines-day-i-was-in-a-relationship-this-year-im-single-and-i-know-ill-enjoy-it-a-hell-of-a-a6867026.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604182945/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/last-valentines-day-i-was-in-a-relationship-this-year-im-single-and-i-know-ill-enjoy-it-a-hell-of-a-a6867026.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Wales, some people celebrate [[Dydd Santes Dwynwen]] (Saint Dwynwen's Day) on January 25 instead of (or as well as) Valentine's Day. The day commemorates [[Dwynwen|St Dwynwen]], the Welsh patron saint of love.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/st-dwynwen-day-welsh-valentine-8505890|title=7 things you probably didn't know about St Dwynwen's Day|work=Wales Online|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2018|archive-date=February 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213195259/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/st-dwynwen-day-welsh-valentine-8505890|url-status=live}}</ref> The Welsh name for Saint Valentine is Sant Ffolant.

In a 2016 poll conducted by [[Channel 4]] for Valentine's Day, [[Jane Austen]]'s line, "My heart is, and always will be, yours", from her novel ''[[Sense and Sensibility]]'' as said by Edward Ferrars ([[Hugh Grant]]) to Elinor Dashwood ([[Emma Thompson]]) in the acclaimed [[Sense and Sensibility (1995 film)|1995 film adaptation]], was voted the most romantic line from literature, film, and TV by thousands of women.<ref>{{cite news |title=Valentine's Day 2016: Jane Austen tops poll to find most romantic line from literature, film and TV |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/valentines-day-2016-jane-austen-tops-poll-to-find-most-romantic-line-from-literature-film-and-tv-a6863091.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604192543/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/valentines-day-2016-jane-austen-tops-poll-to-find-most-romantic-line-from-literature-film-and-tv-a6863091.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Restrictions on Valentine's Day in some countries==
Since 2009, certain practices pertaining to Valentine's Day (such as giving flowers, cards, or other gifts suggestive of Valentine's Day) are banned in [[Iran]].<ref>{{cite news |title=چاپ تزئینات ولنتاین در ایران ممنوع شد |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2011/01/110103_l21_valentine_banned.shtml |accessdate=February 19, 2020 |agency=BBC news |language=Persian |archive-date=February 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228071714/http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2011/01/110103_l21_valentine_banned.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> Iran's [[Islamic Republic of Iran Law Enforcement Force|Law Enforcement Force]] prosecutes distributors of goods with symbols associated with Valentine's Day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fararu.com/fa/news/262279/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86 |title=راه درست برخورد با ولنتاین |accessdate=February 19, 2020 |agency=fararunews |date=February 19, 2017 |language=Persian |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216170742/https://fararu.com/fa/news/262279/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, the Prosecutor's Office of [[Qom, Iran]], stated that it would prosecute those who disseminate and provide anti-cultural symbols like those of Valentine's Day.<ref>{{cite news |title=دادستانی قم به جشن عشاق ورود کرد |url=https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/7663939/%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%B4%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF |access-date=February 13, 2021 |agency=Yong Journalists Club |publisher=Yong Journalists Club |date=February 13, 2021 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415191053/https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/7663939/%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%B4%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Valentine's Day is not accepted or approved by any [[institution]] in Iran and has no official status, it is highly accepted among a large part of the population.<ref>{{cite news |title=ولنتاین غیررسمی‌ترین جشنی که با خواب مسئولان رسمی شد |url=https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/666978/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%BA%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%B4%D9%86%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A6%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%88 |accessdate=February 19, 2020 |agency=TABNAK professional news site |language=Persian |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216170626/https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/666978/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%BA%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%B4%D9%86%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A6%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%88 |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the reasons for Valentine's Day acceptance since the 2000s by the general population is the change in relations between the sexes, and because sexual relationships are no longer strictly limited to be within marriage.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/98111511137/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%85-%DB%8C%D8%A7-%DA%A9%D9%85%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C |title=ولنتاین تهاجم یا تهدید فرهنگی |newspaper=ایسنا |date=February 4, 2020 |accessdate=February 19, 2020 |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222095550/https://www.isna.ir/news/98111511137/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%85-%DB%8C%D8%A7-%DA%A9%D9%85%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Christianity|Holidays}}
* [[Galentine's Day (observance)|Galentine's Day]]
* [[Palentine's Day]]
* [[World Kiss Day]]
* [[Dia dos Namorados]]
* [[Sailor's valentine]]
* [[Saint Valentine's Day Massacre]]
* [[Singles Awareness Day]]
* [[Steak and Blowjob Day]]
* [[Valentine's Day (2010 film)|''Valentine's Day'' (2010 film)]]
* [[V-Day (movement)|V-Day]], the global movement to end violence against women and girls.
* [[Women's Memorial March]], held on Valentine's Day in Vancouver, British Columbia.
* [[Cake and Cunnilingus Day]]
* [[National Boyfriend Day]]
<!--WARNING:"Send greetings" commercial links which are not genuinely used to reference article material, are considered spamming and reverted immediately. -->

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=notes}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===<!-- Commercial links will be speedily removed and persistent spammers blocked-->
{{Refbegin}}
*{{citation |chapter= The Valentines of February |title= Chaucer and the cult of Saint Valentine |volume= 5 |series= Davis medieval texts and studies |last= Ansgar Kelly |first= Henry |publisher= Brill |year= 1986 |isbn= 978-90-04-07849-9 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_bqdZbKPztMC }}<!--used in several footnotes -->
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Valentine's Day Traditions in Boston |author=Anthony M. Sammarco |date=January 24, 2022 |publisher=America Through Time |isbn=978-1635001075}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Wikiquote-inline}}
* {{Wikisource-inline|Portal:Valentine's Day}}

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{{Public holidays in Algeria}}
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[[Category:Valentine's Day| ]]
[[Category:International observances]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:Days celebrating love]]
[[Category:Saints' days|Valentine]]