Valentine’s Day has been celebrated for centuries, and while it’s primarily associated with love and romance. There are also some weird and unconventional Valentine’s day traditions that are worth exploring. Here are some of the Strange Valentine’s Day facts, traditions, and laws:

Facts about Valentine’s Day traditions

King Henry VII declares Valentine’s Day

In 1537, England’s King Henry VII declared February 14th as a day for the celebration of love and romance. This was a significant moment in the history of Valentine’s Day as it was the origin of establishing the season of love and celebration. 

Friend’s Day in Finland

In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called “Ystävänpäivä,” which translates to “Friend’s Day.” It is because the holiday is seen as an opportunity to celebrate romantic love and love between friends and family. Finland’s Valentine’s day not just pertains to couples but to love and affection in general. It can seem like one of the unconventional Valentine’s day traditions, as this day revolves mostly around couples.

Medieval lotteries in England

In medieval England, Valentine’s Day was celebrated in a unique way. Men and women would draw the names from a box to pair up with for the season of love. It was a way to avoid the embarrassment of declaring their love to someone who didn’t feel the same way. The concept of drawing names from a box was seen as a more convenient and less awkward way for people to express their love and affection. The tradition of drawing names from a box continued for several centuries and remained a popular way of celebrating Valentine’s Day until it was eventually replaced by other more conventional methods of expressing love and affection. 

Women giving chocolates in Japan

In Japan, women would usually hand out chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day. A month later, on White Day, those who received gifts and chocolates will return the favour by giving gifts to those who gave them chocolates. The exchange of chocolates is a considered means of exchanging affection.

Ban on Valentine’s Day celebrations in Saudi Arabia

Though the season of love is celebrated in several parts of the world, it was not the same in Saudi Arabia. Valentine’s Day celebrations were banned and can lead to punishment by the government. This is because the holiday is seen as promoting Western values and practices that are contradictory to traditional Islamic values until 2018. Later, the unusual valentine’s day laws and restrictions were taken off, stating celebrating love was not a practice opposing their religious beliefs.

Black Day in South Korea

Black Day is celebrated in South Korea on April 14th. It is a day for single people who did not receive gifts or affection on Valentine’s Day or White Day. On this day, single people gather together and eat jjajangmyeon (black noodles), a symbol of their single status. Black Day is a lighthearted way for single people to come together and celebrate their relationship status. It is seen as a way to offer comfort and support to those who may be feeling down or left out during Valentine’s Day and White Day celebrations. The tradition of Black Day started in the 1990s and has since become a widely recognized holiday in South Korea. This can be an unconventional Valentine’s day tradition, but it is also an interesting, and inclusive celebration.

These are a few of the many interesting and unusual Valentine’s day traditions, facts, and laws associated with Valentine’s Day. The season of love has different aspects to it, rather than the usual chocolates, flowers, and dates.