"Naked" weddings and magical rituals: how Valentine's Day is celebrated in different countries

Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated by many people around the world. Some people buy valentines and flowers, while others prepare for magical rituals. To know how February 14 is celebrated in different countries, read the OBOZREVATEL selection.

• Italy

Residents of this country are absolutely sure that they are the authors of Valentine's Day. This is because the relics of St. Valentine are kept in Italy. Therefore, the holiday is taken quite seriously here. All shop windows are filled with red things, and women are given flowers of this color. Young girls are sure that the first man they meet will be their chosen one or very similar to him.

• France

For the French, this is a holiday of love, not just of falling in love. Thus, they congratulate all their loved ones: family members, friends, and colleagues. In addition, it is customary to give jewelry, flowers, and, oddly enough, lottery tickets to your significant others.

• Great Britain

In this country, Valentine's Day became a holiday in the nineteenth century. People here traditionally send valentines to their loved ones. According to a legend, the first such card was sent by Duke Charles of Orleans to his wife from prison, where he spent 25 years.

The British have another interesting tradition. On February 14, children dress up as adults and go around the neighborhood to sing love songs.

• Iceland

On Valentine's Day, bonfires are lit all over Iceland. They symbolize passionate love and passion. Men wear necklaces with coals around their necks, and women wear stones. Icelanders believe that this will keep their love alive for many years.

• Denmark

On this day, loud parties and concerts are organized here. It is customary for a guy to send his beloved an unsigned Valentine's card. If she guesses who the card is from, she will receive a chocolate Easter egg.

• Czech Republic

This country celebrates two Valentine's Days: February 14 and May 1. Both times, the traditions are very similar. Couples exchange promises on the Charles Bridge and hang locks to keep their love alive.

• Armenia

On February 13, Armenian churches hold a service where candles are blessed. They are used to light a fire at home. If a couple jumps over the flame three times holding hands, they will be lucky.

• Jamaica

Here, Valentine's Day is celebrated lightly and with humor. Dozens of weddings take place on the beaches on this holiday. The peculiarity is that the bride and groom must be naked at least down to their underwear or swimsuits.

• China

Here, Valentine's Day falls in mid-August. It is called the Double Seventh Festival. The Chinese believe that once upon a time, a poor guy fell in love with one of the heavenly sisters. However, they were not destined to be together because the heavenly goddess was against their union. She hid the boy's chosen one, leaving only traces of her hair in the sky, which are now known as the Milky Way.

On this day, unmarried women throw embroidery needles into the water. If they float up, they should expect a wedding soon.

• Brazil

Here, the holiday falls on June 12. On this day, single women get together and perform certain magical rituals. They use them to attract men into their lives and bring their wedding day closer.