Now that Valentine’s Day here, many people are lining up to buy chocolates, stuffed animals, and flowers for their significant others. However, this romantic holiday is celebrated not only in the U.S., but all over the world, and each country has their own unique traditional celebrations of love.

1. South Africa

In South Africa, women wear their hearts on their sleeves, literally! Based on an ancient Roman festival known as Lupercalia, a woman can write the name of her lover or romantic interest on a heart-shaped cloth and pin it on her sleeves for everyone else to see. Sometimes, an anonymous note is just not enough!

2. France

Home to Paris, the “City of Love”, France celebrates Valentine’s Day like no other country. During mid-February, the village of St. Valentin, known as “Village of Love”, transforms into the literal definition of romance, with houses covered with red roses, opportunities to plant a lovers’ tree, and hundreds of love notes hanging from trees.

3. South Korea

In South Korea, couples can’t get enough of Valentine’s Day. In fact, they celebrate on the 14th of every month, which includes May’s Rose Day and December’s Hug Day. There’s even a Black Day in April when depressed singles drown out their tears by stuffing their mouths full of dark bean paste noodles called Jajangmyeon.

4. Wales

Filled with passionate couples, Wales celebrates love on Jan. 25, St. Dwynwen’s Day. Lovers often exchange intricately carved wooden love spoons. Each couple has different symbols with specific meanings, signifying how much they Walely love each other!

5. Philippines

In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is celebrated similarly to Western countries. However, a popular tradition that is spreading throughout the country is mass weddings, where thousands of couples tie the knot at the exact same time. What better way is there to celebrate love than coinciding marriages?!

6. China

Known as Qi Xi, or Seventh Night Festival, this holiday takes place on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. It originates from a tale about two lovers who were kept apart because of social status and were only able to meet once a year on Qi Xi. During this day, single women offer melons to Zhinu, the young goddess from the tale, in hopes of finding a future husband, and couples pray for a love that is one in a melon!

People all over the world celebrate Valentine’s Day to express their love. Although each country has its own traditions, they all share the same message of love and affection!