Romantic Valentine’s Day traditions from around the world - and how the day of love originated

Valentine’s Day may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the occasion has long been celebrated all across the world.

February 14 is dedicated to celebrating love and relationships, and is often marked by giving gifts and spending quality time with your nearest and dearest.

How did Valentine’s Day originate?

First celebrated in the year 496, Valentine’s Day is thought to have originated from a Roman festival called Lupercalia, which was held in the middle of February at the start of their springtime.

It is believed that as part of the celebrations, boys and girls each drew names from a box and would be boyfriend and girlfriend during the festival - and sometimes get married.

Over time, the church later wanted to turn the festival into a Christian celebration and decided to use it as a day to also remember St Valentine.

As time went on, St Valentine’s name began to be used by people to express their feelings to the ones they loved - later becoming known as Valentine’s Day.

In Japan women typically give the gift of one of two types of chocolate to their loved ones (Photo: Shutterstock)

How is it celebrated around the world?

Exchanging cards and gifts - often flowers or chocolates - as well as enjoying a romantic date with your loved one, is customary on Valentine’s Day here in the UK.

But around the world, February 14 is marked in different and more unusual ways.

If you are keen to do something new to celebrate the occasion this year, here are some traditions from across the globe that may spark some inspiration.