Japan’s celebration of Valentine’s Day has a unique twist. On February 14, only women give gifts of chocolate to men. Some of these gifts, known as giri “obligation” chocolates, are given to bosses, male coworkers, and male classmates and friends. Women give special chocolate, called honmei chocolate, to their sweethearts.
Men reciprocate on White Day, March 14. On this day, many men give women chocolates in white boxes. If the recipient is a girlfriend, sometimes a gift of flowers or white lingerie is substituted or added.
White Day is said to have originated when a marshmallow company urged the men to repay their Valentine’s gifts with white marshmallows. Originally, the day was called Marshmallow Day, but was later evolved to White Day. Candy companies sought to cash in with special white chocolates.
In China, the Night of Sevens is sometimes called Chinese Valentine’s Day. Celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the Chinese calendar, it’s also referred to as the Festival to Plead for Skills. On this day, young women show off their skills in homemaking and make wishes for a good husband.
The Brazilian equivalent of Valentine’s Day is the Day of the Lovers (Dia dos Namorados), celebrated on June 12. It immediately precedes the Feast of Saint Anthony — also known as the marriage saint.
