Valentine’s Day has arrived, offering the perfect opportunity to explore love traditions across Asia – where romance isn’t proclaimed with grand gestures but expressed through meaningful, time-honoured customs. Moonlit serenades, poetic courtship, secret exchanges of trinkets, and playful water splashes that spark attraction all speak to a deep cultural connection to love. These traditions reveal how romance has been intricately preserved and celebrated across generations, leaving a persisting mark on the region’s heritage.
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China: Hidden In The Heart (And in A Sleeve)
In a culture where public displays of affection were traditionally discouraged, Chinese lovers found subtle ways to express their devotion. Gift-giving emerged as a covert love language, with couples exchanging sentimental trinkets like hairpins, embroidered handkerchiefs, and jade ornaments as discreet tokens of commitment. For women, gifting a hairpin often symbolised a promise of commitment, while men might offer a jade pendant as a quiet declaration of loyalty. These small keepsakes served as tangible reminders of love, especially during times of separation – such as in war-torn eras – tucked away in sleeves or hidden within personal belongings. Even today, the tradition of exchanging small, meaningful gifts remains a part of Chinese romance.
The Philippines: Strumming Their Heartstrings
In the Philippines, the art of romantic serenading, known as harana, has long been a cherished tradition. Long before the era of text messages and personalised Spotify playlists, Filipino men would take up their guitars (and sometimes enlist friends for backup vocals) to sing outside their beloved’s window. This heartfelt performance was not just a display of affection but also a plea for approval from both the woman and her family. If she opened her window or invited him inside, it was seen as a sign that her interest was piqued. Though harana is less common in today’s digital age, it remains a symbol of old-school Filipino romance. The tradition continues to be celebrated in films, wedding proposals, and grand romantic gestures, keeping the spirit of this custom alive.
Thailand: A Little Merit Goes A Long Way
In Thailand, romance is often intertwined with spirituality. Couples often visit temples together to make merit and pray for lasting love, merging their relationship with the sacred. Historically, music and poetry have played a significant role in Thai courtship, as suitors would use poetic verses and folk songs to express admiration. Though formal serenading wasn’t as structured as in other cultures, traditional love songs and flirtatious exchanges continue to be a charming part of Thai romance.
India: Matchmaker, Matchmaker (Make Me A Match)
Romance in India is a mosaic of destiny, tradition, and grand celebrations. While love marriages are on the rise, arranged unions remain deeply rooted, often involving horoscope matching for compatibility, elaborate family meetings, and wedding festivities that stretch over days. And the devotion doesn’t stop at marriage – take ‘Karva Chauth’, a tradition primarily observed by North Indian Hindu women. On this day, wives fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying fervently for their husbands’ long life. They break their fast only after seeing his face through a sieve – a time-honoured display of love, trust, and commitment that continues to thrive in modern India.
Myanmar: Flirting With A Splash
If you think playful flirting is fun, just wait until you experience Myanmar’s Thingyan Festival. Held during the Burmese New Year, this water festival transforms the streets into a stage for both spiritual renewal and romantic playfulness. Participants joyfully splash water on friends, family, and even strangers as a symbolic act of cleansing and renewal. For young people, however, these splashes take on an extra layer of meaning – a well-aimed splash can be a cheeky way to catch the attention of someone special.
Vietnam: The Love Contract That Lasts A Lifetime
In Vietnam, the exchange of betel leaves and areca nuts is more than just a polite gesture – it’s a profound symbol of love and lifelong commitment. This tradition, deeply embedded in wedding customs, represents the unbreakable bond between two families, a connection that has been celebrated for centuries.
The practice stems from an ancient legend about twin brothers, Tân and Làng, who were inseparable until love entered their lives. When Tân married, Làng felt abandoned and left home in sorrow, never to return. He eventually perished and transformed into a limestone rock. Heartbroken, Tân died at the same spot, turning into a betel tree, while his grieving wife became a climbing vine that entwined around them both. Years later, a king stumbled upon this entwined rock, tree, and vine. As he chewed the betel leaf with the areca nut, his mouth turned a deep, blood-red – a sign, he declared, of eternal devotion. From that moment on, betel and areca became sacred offerings at weddings, a tradition that remains strong today.
Japan: The Sweetest Confession
Japan flips the script on traditional Valentine’s Day customs – here, women take the first step. On 14 February, they take the lead by gifting chocolates to the men in their lives, but not all chocolates carry the same weight. Giri-choco, or ‘obligatory’ chocolates, are shared with friends and colleagues as a gesture of goodwill, while honmei-choco, the ‘true love’ chocolates, are lovingly reserved for that special someone. Yet, this act of affection is far from one-sided. On White Day, 14 March, men reciprocate with sweets, jewellery, or other thoughtful gifts, ensuring that the cycle of appreciation continues.
Indonesia: It Starts With A Kiss
In Sumatra, romance takes the form of the mesmerising Tari Piring, or ‘Plate Dance’. Though not exclusively a courtship ritual, this traditional dance has long been a stage for men to showcase their grace and skill. Balancing porcelain plates with fluid movements, they aim to impress potential partners.
Meanwhile, in Bali, the Omed-Omedan Festival, also known as the ‘Kissing Ritual’, adds a playful turn to love traditions. Held the day after Nyepi – the Balinese New Year – this festival brings unmarried young men and women together in a spirited celebration. They are pulled into each other’s arms for a kiss, all while being doused in water by the community. Once a bonding ritual, it has evolved into a cheeky way to spark romance.
Mongolia: Racing Towards Love
When it comes to Mongolia, love transcends mere emotion – it becomes a test of skill and endurance. In rural areas, young men participate in horse races to showcase their strength, agility, and determination – qualities highly prized in a potential partner. Historically, marriages were often arranged based on family ties and social standing, but athletic prowess was an undeniable asset. A skilled rider wasn’t just admired for his horsemanship; he was seen as a protector and provider, someone capable of securing a future. So, as the dust settles and the race concludes, the victor might just find himself with more than a trophy – he may win a heart too.
South Korea: Year-Round Celebrations
South Korea takes couple culture to a whole new level. Here, lovebirds don’t merely exchange gifts – they coordinate entire outfits, from matching rings and sweaters to even sneakers, creating a unified look that silently declares their bond. But the celebration of love extends far beyond Valentine’s Day. Each month on the 14th, South Korea observes unique love-related holidays. From the tender embraces of ‘Hug Day’ to the passionate kisses of ‘Kiss Day,’ these occasions offer endless ways for couples to express affection. Even singles find solidarity on ‘Black Day’, indulging in jajangmyeon noodles together. And then there’s Pepero Day on 11 November, where chocolate-covered biscuit sticks become tokens of affection exchanged not just between couples but among friends as well.
Rachel Tang
Rachel Tang is the Social Media Manager and a contributing writer at Friday Club., where she combines her expertise in PR and Marketing with a passion for storytelling. She began writing for a media platform early in her career, which sparked a love for storytelling that still drives her work today. With a deep passion for fashion, music, and all things pretty, Rachel is always on the lookout for the next best thing – and she’s quick to rave about it to those around her.
