Wondering when Portugal embraces the romance of Valentine’s Day? Like the rest of the world, Portugal celebrates Valentine’s Day on **February 14th**. While modern celebrations often feel driven by commercialism, the holiday’s roots reach into a rich and fascinating past. *Dia de São Valentim* (Valentine’s Day) or, more commonly, *Dia dos Namorados* is fast approaching. But have you ever wondered how Portugal celebrates? Do the Portuguese wholeheartedly embrace this tradition of love?
Come with us as we delve into the **history and unique traditions of Valentine’s Day in Portugal.**
Unraveling the Origins of Valentine’s Day
The true origins of Valentine’s Day are shrouded in mystery, a blend of captivating stories and ancient lore. The most popular account centers around **Saint Valentine**, thought to have been born in Umbria, Italy, around 174 B.C. Revered for his qualities of health (“Valentine” meaning “healthy”), kindness, and love, he is often represented with a palm leaf and sword, symbols of matrimonial unity.
While various tales surround Saint Valentine’s death, many lack concrete evidence, leading the Catholic Church to remove formal observance of the holiday in 1969. Regardless, **Valentine’s Day continues to be a globally significant celebration**, cherished in Portugal for its cultural and romantic importance.
The Legend of Secret Weddings
Another compelling legend links Valentine’s Day to a bishop named Valentine. As the story unfolds, **Emperor Claudius II of Rome forbade weddings** to bolster his army, believing that single men made better soldiers. However, Bishop Valentine **championed the significance of love** and secretly **married couples** against the Emperor’s decree. When discovered, Valentine was imprisoned, tortured, and ultimately killed on February 14th, 268 AD.
The Legend of the Lovers’ Savior
Another tale credits Valentine with orchestrating the **first marriage between a pagan soldier and a Christian woman**, earning him the title of patron saint of lovers. The woman was gravely ill, and the young man pleaded with the bishop to unite them before it was too late. Valentine obliged, baptizing the man and marrying them in the woman’s chamber. In an act of devotion, they died together, forever bound as husband and wife.
The *Lupercales* Connection
Some believe that **Valentine’s Day originated from the *Lupercales* Festival,** **traditionally celebrated in Ancient Rome on February 15th**. The name *Lupercales* comes from *Lupus* (wolf, representing the God Faunos) and *Hircus* (goat, a symbol of impurity) and marked the transition into adulthood. Young men would run naked through the streets, striking women in a ritual thought to promote fertility. They also demonstrated their survival skills by running through the woods for days.
During the Middle Ages, new versions of *Lupercales* emerged, often **conflicting with Church morals**, leading to Church intervention to regulate the festivities.
Valentine’s Day Around the World: Traditions and Trivia
So, does Portugal celebrate Valentine’s Day? Absolutely! Like many nations, Portugal embraces Valentine’s Day, with people expressing their affection through gifts, cards, and special dates. However, Portugal has its own **unique Valentine’s Day traditions**. Additionally, other cultures bring their own special flair to this annual celebration.
- In **Portugal**, in **Guimarães**, the **”cantarinha dos namorados”** is a cherished Valentine’s Day gift, rooted in ancient tradition. A man proposing marriage would present his future fiancée with a “cantarinha,” a type of clay jug. If she accepted, and her parents approved, the jug became a vessel for gifts from the groom and her family, traditionally pieces of gold jewellery.
- Also in Portugal, the **”Lenço dos Namorados”** (lover’s handkerchief) is another important Valentine’s Day tradition from the 16th and 17th centuries. **Women would wear beautifully embroidered handkerchiefs** to attract suitors in a refined courtship. The scarf was offered to the suitor, and if he accepted, he would wear it pinned to his coat, neck, or hat. Rejection meant the scarf was returned. The intricate **embroideries depicted the love between the couple**, using vibrant colours and meaningful designs. In Braga, the tradition endures, and embroidered scarves remain a popular Valentine’s Day gift.
- **Dinner for Two**: Sharing a special meal at a romantic restaurant is a cornerstone of Valentine’s Day celebrations worldwide, and Portugal is no exception. Restaurants create unique Valentine’s Day menus, featuring gourmet dishes and a romantic atmosphere, perfect for couples seeking a memorable night out.
- Across the Portuguese-speaking world, in **Brazil**, Valentine’s Day is instead celebrated on **June 12th**, the day before Saint Anthony’s Day, the saint associated with marriage – Valentine being the saint of lovers.
- In **Germany**, a **pig is the traditional Valentine’s Day gift**, appearing in various forms – a picture, a drawing, a figurine. For Germans, the pig is a symbol of good luck and desire.
- In **China**, Valentine’s Day is observed on February 14th, but it can also be **celebrated in early August**, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Legend tells of a **fairy named Zhi Nu and a mortal named Niu Lang who fell deeply in love.** The Sky Goddess disapproved, separating them by transforming Zhi Nu into the Vega star, trapping Niu Lang in the sky, and creating the Milky Way to keep them apart. **On this special day, however, they are permitted to reunite.**
- The **first Valentine’s Day chocolate box** was designed by Richard Cadbury in 1800.
- In recent decades, the **number of births on February 14th has increased** due to planned C-sections.
- During the Middle Ages, February 14th also **symbolized the mating rituals of birds**, and young men would leave letters for their sweethearts on their doorsteps.
- In the U.S., over **15% of women receive flowers that they actually sent to themselves.**
- **Teachers are the biggest recipients** of Valentine’s Day cards, with more than **650 million cards** exchanged among children aged 6 to 10.
- On Valentine’s Day, over **50 million roses are purchased** globally, and there are more than **220,000 marriage proposals**.
- Each year, **Verona**, the Italian city famous for Romeo and Juliet, receives **millions of letters addressed to Juliet**, seeking love advice.
- The **largest and most spectacular Valentine’s Day gift** in the world is the **Taj Mahal in India**, commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Now that you’re immersed in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, time to learn how to express your affectionate greetings like a true Portuguese local in 2025: say “Happy Valentine’s Day” with a heartfelt “**Feliz Dia de São Valentim**” or “**Feliz Dia dos Namorados**”!
