Research and Organization by Editor Son Min-jeong

The Origin of Valentine's Day

The origin of Valentine's Day dates back to the 3rd century (269 AD) during the Roman Empire. At that time, marriage required the emperor's permission, and Valentine was the name of a priest who was martyred for secretly marrying young couples in love without the emperor's consent. His feast day is celebrated on February 14, which has become a day for lovers. On this day, women are allowed to confess their love to the men they admire, typically using chocolate as the medium for expressing their feelings. Recently, there has been a trend towards preparing unique, personalized gifts in addition to chocolate. Valentine's Day, which originated in the West, was introduced to Korea in the mid-1980s from Japan. While some criticize it as a negative social phenomenon that exploits the desires of young people, the idea that men and women can openly confess their feelings for each other on a specific day has become widely accepted as a beautiful tradition.

What is the Traditional Lover's Day in Korea?

Korea also had a traditional "Lover's Day." This day was known as Gyeongchip, which falls around March 6 in the solar calendar, when insects awaken from their winter slumber. On Gyeongchip, couples wishing to rekindle their affection or young people wanting to express their love would secretly share ginkgo nuts. The "Sasichanyo" states, "The triangular ginkgo nut is the male, and the round one is the female." There is a belief that male and female ginkgo trees, simply by facing each other, can bear the fruits of love.

Chilseok Day is another day for lovers, as it is when the cowherd and the weaver girl meet across the Milky Way. On this night, young women would make half-moon-shaped rice cakes and pray for skills in weaving and sewing. However, the true intention behind this tradition was to pray for love, as confirmed by old folk songs and ballads.

Modern Valentine's Day

Today, Valentine's Day has evolved into a day not only for romantic partners but also for friends and acquaintances to exchange gifts of love and gratitude. While it remains fundamentally a day for lovers in the West, it has also become customary to exchange flowers, cakes, cards, perfumes, and jewelry among neighbors and friends. In the United States, many elementary school students distribute cards and small treat bags to their entire class or friends. Some precocious children even sneak in special gifts for their crushes. Valentine's Day events featuring children are often prominently featured in Western cartoons. For example, in "Peanuts," there is an episode where Linus gives a gift to Lydia for Valentine's Day, and "The Simpsons" also includes several Valentine's Day storylines. Gifts given on Valentine's Day are commonly referred to as "valentines." Some people even choose this day to propose.

Why Chocolate?

The commercial practice of eating chocolate on Valentine's Day began with the British confectionery company Cadbury in the 19th century. In 1936, a confectionery company in Kobe, Japan, launched an advertising campaign that established Valentine's Day as a day for giving chocolate, leading to the chocolate trend associated with the holiday. In the 1960s, Japan's largest confectionery company, Morinaga, initiated a campaign encouraging women to confess their love to men with chocolate, solidifying the modern Japanese version of Valentine's Day. This has led to some criticism that Valentine's Day is merely a marketing ploy by confectioners.

The Benefits of Chocolate

While milk chocolate and caramel, which are high in sugar, can be detrimental to diets and health, cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, is rich in polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Polyphenols help inhibit reactive oxygen species that cause atherosclerosis, cancer, and aging, and they can improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure, thus preventing cardiovascular diseases like angina and myocardial infarction. They also aid in preventing dementia and strokes by promoting blood circulation in key areas of the brain. Dark chocolate contains about 10% dietary fiber, which can help with feelings of fullness and appetite suppression, aiding in weight loss and preventing constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a compound released in the brain when feeling love, which induces feelings of happiness and euphoria. It also contains small amounts of caffeine, which can enhance mood, and theobromine, which stimulates brain activity, leading to reduced stress and improved well-being.

What Gifts to Consider for Valentine's Day?

As Valentine's Day approaches each year, an increasing variety of beautiful and fancy chocolate products are released. There is a wide range of options available, from affordable to high-end products, but many people are also choosing to make their own chocolates at home instead of buying commercial ones. Searching for "Valentine's chocolate recipes" on blogs or YouTube yields many easy-to-follow recipes. Baking supply stores or Amazon offer molds and tools for making homemade chocolates. If the idea of exchanging chocolates feels a bit stale, consider gifting homemade cookies, baked goods, macarons, or cakes decorated with icing. You might also try making raspberry hot chocolate topped with marshmallows for a special touch. Whatever you choose, may your love be fully conveyed with heartfelt sincerity on this happy day.