Valentine's Day brings out many strong emotions in people: love, hatred, sorrow, etc. Lots of people have traditions that they perform on the day of and the days leading up to Valentine's Day. Thus, I thought that it would be fun to take a look at what traditions are held in other countries around the world.

France

Being the country that is known for its romance, it's not a surprise that this is where we'll be starting our journey. Although, the traditions here are anything but romantic.

Men and women would fill into separate houses, where they would call out to each other and pair off. The catch was that if the man was not satisfied with his match, he could leave her and go back for another. The women who were left would then meet up for a bonfire after the festivities ended to curse and insult the men who had scorned them. This tradition eventually became so large and violent that it was banned by the French government.

Philippines

The Philippines hold most of the same traditions as western countries, with the exception of February 14th. Then, many couples flock to open public areas to all get married in a massive wedding ceremony.

Japan

The Japanese have a very similar tradition to the Western world. However, instead of the men giving the women candy, the roles are reversed. Women will most likely hand-make chocolate to give to her significant other to show that their love is true.

South Africa

The people of South Africa wear their hearts on their sleeves. This is quite literal, as the tradition is to wear the name of your love pinned to your sleeve for the entirety of Valentine's Day.

South Korea

In South Korea, the tradition has been changed from a single day to a period of months. On February 14th, women will give their significant other candy and treats. On March 14th, the men will try to one-up their love by giving them candy and other treats, as well as a gift. For people who don't have a significant other, April 14th is "Black Day," where they will eat a black bean and noodle dish.

These are just a few different traditions. There are lots of other ways that people around the world show their appreciation for their lovers, which really shows just how diverse human love is.