1. Jack Valentine in Norfolk, England
In Norfolk, a county in England, Jack Valentine acts like Santa for Valentine's Day. Children anxiously await to hear Jack Valentine knock at their doors. While they don't ever actually see him, children enjoy the candles and small gifts left on their porches by Jack Valentine. For the single women in England, on the eve of Valentine's Day, they would place five bay leaves on their pillows, one at each corner and one in the center. This was said to bring dreams of their future husbands.
2. Gift-Giving in South Korea
In South Korea, the gift-giving works a little differently than in the United States. Rather than men getting their lovers chocolates and flowers, on February 14, it's up to the women to woo their men with chocolates, candies and flowers. Then on March 14, a holiday known as White Day, the men not only shower the women with chocolates and flowers, but also include a gift. For those single people who don't have anything to celebrate on these holidays take part in Black Day on April 14. On this day, it's customary for singles to mourn their solitary status by eating dark bowls of black bean-paste noodles.
3. Saint Dwynwen in Wales
Instead of Saint Valentine, the Welsh celebrate Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron of lovers. Rather than February 14, this Welsh holiday is celebrated on January 25. The traditional romantic Welsh gift is a love spoon. Men carve intricate wooden spoons as a token of affection for the women they love. Patterns and symbols, each signifying a different meaning, are carved into the spoons. Horseshoes symbolize good luck and keys symbolize the keys to a man's heart. Today, love spoons are also exchanged for celebrations such as weddings, anniversaries and births.
4. The Spring Festival in Italy
Today Italians celebrate Valentine's Day with romantic dinners and a gift exchange between lovers. One of the most popular gifts to give in Italy is Baci Perugina, which are small, chocolate covered hazelnuts wrapped with a romantic quote printed in four languages. However, originally the holiday was celebrated as the Spring Festival. The young and amorous gathered outside in the gardens to enjoy poetry readings and music before taking a stroll with their beloved. Another tradition was for the young, unmarried girls to wake before dawn to spot their future husbands. It was believed that the first man a woman saw on Valentine's Day was the man, or at least resembled the man, she would marry within a year.
5. Qixi or The Seventh Night Festival in China
According to Chinese lore, Zhinu, a heavenly king's daughter, and Niulang, a poor cowherd, fell in love, married and had twins. When the king learned of the marriage, he sent his wife to bring Zhinu back to the stars. Upon hearing the cries of Niulang and the children, the king allowed the couple to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Today, during this holiday, single women prepare offerings of melon and other fruits to Zhinu in hopes of finding a good husband. Couples also head to temples to pray for happiness and prosperity. At night, people look to the heavens to watch the stars Vega and Altair come close during the star-crossed pair's annual reunion.
Happy Valentine's Day from Your Lake Vacation! If you're looking for a place to take someone special this year, consider a trip to the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. There are a variety of romantic things to do in a weekend, such as touring bridal cave, hiking around the castle ruins at Ha-Ha-Tonka or enjoying a gourmet dinner over looking the water. To book your romantic getaway in one of our waterfront condos at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 877-284-0267!
For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
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