Valentine's Day. Traditions of celebration in the countries of the world
February 14, it is customary to celebrate Saint's DayValentine is a holiday in honor of all lovers. On this day, lovers usually give each other valentines - special cards in the form of a heart, with wishes and confessions of love. The history of the birth of this holiday is shrouded in mystery, because accurate information about who in fact was St. Valentine is still not there.
In different countries of the world there are certain traditions of the celebration of Valentine's Day.
For example, customs are widely known Of Japan in relation to this holiday. On this day only men are congratulated. Japanese women presented the men with a gift of chocolate, mainly in the form of Valentine's figures. It is believed that only this day a woman can, without spoiling her reputation, admit to love a man. But now in Japan you can congratulate in this way not only the beloved man, but also friends, colleagues, acquaintances. Such a gift is called "giri choco", usually it is made simply out of politeness, it is inexpensive. The man to whom the woman gave "giri choko" should give in return an ornament, a branded handbag, to take a woman to a restaurant, etc. To his beloved man, a Japanese woman chooses a more expensive and significant gift.
Exactly a month later, on March 14, the men of Japan make reciprocal gifts to their beloved. Men give women white chocolate, so this day in Japan is called a "white day".
Long since Of England The custom was extended, according to whichthe lots chose "Valentina" or "Valentina" for themselves. The young men wrote the names of the girls on pieces of paper, folded them in a hat and dragged them in turn. The one whose name was drawn by the young man became his "Valentina" for a whole year. This year the "Valentines" relied on each other as a knight and his beautiful lady. The young man composed sonnets and songs, played for her on the lute, accompanied her everywhere.
Another interesting English custom - to giveeach other wooden "spoons of love", which were decorated with hearts, keys and keyholes, which meant "the way to the heart." Englishmen also believe that divination on the Day of All Lovers has a special power and will necessarily come true. For example, on February 14, unmarried girls get up before sunrise, stand by the window and look at the passing men. And the first man they will see is a cut off. Also, on that day, the girls throw a folded piece of paper into the river or pond with the male names written on them. The name that emerges first is the name of the betrothed.
But in America, in the early 19 th century, when sugar was worth a lotmoney, the grooms congratulated their brides with marzipan, which was considered a very expensive gift. Later, when the sugar industry was adjusted, the tradition of giving sweets took on a huge scale. Americans gave candies, with congratulations written on them. Such sweets were taken to be placed in special boxes in the form of a heart. Caramels for Valentine's Day made red and white, as a symbol of passion and purity of love.
The modern traditions of the celebration of the Day of Loversin America may differ, depending on the state. For example, if a girl in love finds herself with her lover in Atlanta or New York, she can make him an offer. The man has no right to refuse this offer. But if it all happened, then he is obliged to give the girl a silk red dress, and to herself - a string with a heart strung on him.
Very peculiar attitude towards Valentine's Day in Germany. The Germans consider love an easy insanity andfor them, Saint Valentine is the patron of the mad. Therefore, on February 14, Germans adorn the psychiatric hospitals with scarlet ribbons, balloons, and in the chapels on that day there is a special divine service.
Americans and Germans are also besides loverscongratulate and their colleagues, teachers and just people of the opposite sex, which cause them sympathy. But the British, who are very fond of pets, congratulate their pets: cats, dogs, parrots, hamsters, etc.
But in Of France on Valentine's Day it is customary to give each other jewelry. By the way, the French were the first to come up with love letters-quatrains as "valentines". AT Spain it is customary to send a love message with a pigeon. A Danes observe a wonderful romantic tradition - they give each other dried white flowers.
Poles by tradition visit the Poznan metropolis. After all, there, according to the belief, the relics of Saint Valentine are stored, and above his main throne is his miraculous icon. It is believed that the worship of the relics of the saint helps in love.
The Italians prefer to give sweets sweethearts. In Italy, Valentine's Day is therefore called a "sweet" day. Also Italians send "valentines" by mail in a pink envelope sealed with a kiss, without the return address.
The holiday of all lovers is spread all over the world, however there are also countries where Valentine's Day is not accepted or even banned. These are, first of all, Muslim countries, for example, Saudi Arabia. This is the only country where Valentine's Day is banned at the legislative level. For those who do not comply with this ban imposes heavy fines.
First of all, the prohibition applies to tradingnetwork of the country. It is forbidden to sell plush toys, valentines and other attributes of Valentine's Day. For flower shops, there is a decree not to trade red roses on Valentine's Day. Ban Saudi Arabian authorities explain that the pernicious traditions of the West confuse the minds of the younger generation, and this kind of holidays cultivate sin.
For St. Valentine's Day are treated differently. Someone loves this holiday and always celebrates it, someone thinks that this holiday is tactless, because besides lovers there are also single people who are especially offended to observe the general "love madness" on this day. Love is a wonderful feeling! And if there is a year in the year when love can be spoken openly and publicly, is it not wonderful?
