To commemorate Valentine’s Day, people in Canada and the United States may send heartfelt cards or love letters, present special gifts or flowers, and plan meals or romantic nights with their loved ones. Although this is how we have traditionally shown love to those we care about on “February 14th” each year, it is not the same everywhere else in the world…
Keep reading to learn about some wild Valentine’s Day traditions that lovers of other nations practice, many of whom have visited Niagara Falls throughout the years.
Japan
Valentine’s Day isn’t just one day for our Japanese tourists! While most guys use this date to adorn their female love interests, the Japanese take a different approach. The 14th of February is a day when only ladies give gifts to men. Japanese women were traditionally thought to be too shy to convey their sentiments to men they were interested in, thus this was a date where they could do so without saying anything. Chocolates are traditionally the present of choice for Japanese women to give to men, accounting for half of their yearly chocolate sales during the week preceding Valentine’s Day. The reason for this is because women offer gifts not only to their romantic interests, but also out of courtesy and “social obligation.”
It is the man’s turn to give the woman a present exactly a month later, on March 14th. This day is known as “White Day.” This is when a man repays a woman’s kindness. Those who received chocolate or “honmei-choco,” which means “chocolate of love,” as well as those who received “giri-choco,” will return the favour (“courtesy chocolate”). The most common gifts, much as in American society, are jewellery, but on “White Day,” males may also return white chocolate, white lingerie…and marshmellows.
France
In France, there was once a strange custom that has now been outlawed. Valentine’s Day used to be known as “une loterie d’amour,” or “love drawing,” with single individuals of all ages entering residences that faced each other and screaming out through the windows until they were paired off. If the man was not attracted to his partner, he would abandon her, and the now-single lady would make a great bonfire and ceremoniously burn images of the man who had abandoned them, cursing the man. The French government eventually outlawed it.
Valentine’s Day is now traditionally observed in France by writing love messages or poetry to one another. They’re still regarded as some of the most romantic people on the planet.
Germany
In Germany, Valentine’s Day, or “Valentinstag,” is observed on the same day; however, the Germans did not begin honouring this day until just after World War II. While Valentine’s Day is celebrated by people of all ages in the United States, it is primarily celebrated by adults in Germany. Many gifts are the same — chocolates, cards, and flowers — but Germany adds a unique twist to the occasion by using the sign “pig.” Pigs are a symbol of good fortune and passion. It’s not uncommon to find pigs holding a four-leaf clover while climbing a small ladder on a heart on cards, flowers, or chocolates.
Scotland
Valentine’s Day is commemorated in Scotland with a festival. There are an equal number of young single men and young single women who attend the festival. Each of them writes their name on a sheet of paper and then rolls it up. Two hats are used to hold the names. One is for the guys, while the other is for the ladies. After that, they must draw a piece of paper from the hat. The name that is drawn is that of your Valentine.
Gifts are presented to the chosen young girls, and the young ladies wear their Valentine’s name on their sleeve or over their heart. At the conclusion of the festival, there is generally a dance. Valentine’s Day gifts in Scotland are offered in the shape of a love token or a true-love-knot by both partners.
Wales
Valentine’s Day in Wales is known as “Dwynwen’s Day” and is observed on January 25th rather than February 14th each year. It honours Welsh Saint Dwynwen, whose ancient and sad love storey has inspired generations of Welsh people to send cards and presents and express their feelings.
According to legend, Dwynwen, a female princess, fell in love with Maeron, a young prince. Maeron reciprocated her love, but they were unable to be together for unknown reasons. She then prays to lose her love for him, and an angel responds by delivering her a potion that erases her feelings for him and turns him into ice. God grants Dwynwen three wishes, one of which is to meet genuine lovers’ hopes and dreams.
To this day, this day is commemorated with the exchange of lovespoons. They are given to their love interests and are embellished with romantic symbols on the handle. Originally, the lovespoon was made as a labour of love by an untrained wood carver with little or no prior training. The spoons’ meticulous woodcarving dates from the 17th century and communicates affection and longing for the woman love interest.
These are just a few of the many international Valentine’s Day customs observed around the world. Our gorgeous Niagara Falls attract a broad market of tourists, and this is one site to visit that celebrates a universal sign of romance with our natural marvel.
Niagara Falls Honeymoon Capital
Niagara Falls is recognised as the “World’s Honeymoon Capital.” But did you know that for over 200 years, couples have been visiting Niagara Falls for their honeymoons?
Theodosia Burr, the daughter of future U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr, came to Niagara Falls with her new husband, Joseph Alston, a wealthy southern landowner and future governor of South Carolina, shortly after they married in 1801. The newlyweds travelled from Albany by packhorse, accompanied by many attendants and nine pack horses. Theodosia Burr was the daughter of Aaron Burr, the future Vice President of the United States.
They arrived to the majestic Niagara Falls after passing through the frontier hamlet of Buffalo.
Following in their footsteps were two other high-society weddings in 1804: Jerome Bonaparte (Napoleon’s younger brother) and his Baltimore wife, Elizabeth Patterson. Jérôme enjoyed his honeymoon near Niagara Falls with his new wife in 1804. He allegedly travelled by stagecoach from New Orleans to witness the splendour of Niagara Falls with his wife.
As a result, honeymooning at Niagara Falls became a new social norm. It was previously only accessible to the wealthy, but with the completion of the Erie Canal on the American side of the border in 1825, Niagara Falls became accessible to the general public. Soon, railroads were regularly taking honeymooners to Niagara. The song of the year, My Niagara Falls Honeymoon, was created in 1841 because honeymooning at Niagara Falls was so popular.
Even though getting to Niagara Falls is much simpler than it was in the 1800s, the major draw remains the same: witnessing the spectacular grandeur of Niagara Falls.