Editing Valentine's Day (section)

==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= http://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:Happy Valentine's Day - geograph.org.uk - 1706688.jpg|thumb|upright|Valentine's Day love notes on display in 2010 for making a charitable donation to the [[British Heart Foundation]]]]
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 being 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 (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>