Pick a date to show your love

Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is once more upon us! Cards, gifts, candy & the exchanges don't stop here! But what happens if you miss this day, if you and your sweetheart or "significant other" (to be politically correct) cannot, for whatever reason, celebrate together? Do not despair - there are other days in the calendar which you can pick to celebrate your very own private valentine!

One of the earliest equivalents of Valentine's Day was the ancient Iranian festival of Sepandarmazgan, celebrated on February 17 as far back as in the 20th century BC! Royal women and girls sat on the throne and men and boys had to obey them and bring them presents. Well, not everyone today is royalty, but we commoners are surely entitled to enjoy this festival, especially women! What a wonderful occasion for men to show their true feelings towards their loved ones, especially as they follow such an ancient and wonderful tradition!

Or else you can join the Romanians on February 24 to celebrate Dragobete, the Romanian version of Valentine's Day. Although this was originally celebrated as a Spring festival, it is also a day for lovers. An interesting ritual associated with this day is that whoever steps over the feet of his or her beloved will be the one who calls the shots in a marriage.

Why not party with the Brazilians by observing Dia dos Nanorades or Boyfriend/Girlfriend Day which is celebrated on June 12?. This particular date was probably chosen because it came around the same time as Saint Anthony's Day. Saint Anthony was the Patron Saint of Marriage. As on Valentine's Day, partners exchange gifts. So, here's another chance to celebrate, even if you've already pledged your love on February 14. After all, there's no harm in reiterating your feelings to your beloved just to make them more secure in your love.

If you happen to miss all these dates, there is still Chinese Valentine's Day to celebrate! Also known as Qi Qiao Jie in China , it was celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar ( which is roughly August 7). There are two versions behind this legend, both of which are concerned with lovers reuniting once a year. So if you want to celebrate Chinese Valentine's Day, all you have to do is gaze at Vega, east of the Milky Way, which represents one of the lovers or Aquila on the west, where the other lover waits. And then sigh out your sweet nothings!

For those of you who believe in equality of the sexes, February 14 and March 14 are the days for you! These are reciprocal Valentine's Days, the February one for women and the March one for men, and celebrated in Japan and Korea. On February 14, there is no exchange of gifts and cards, but women are obliged to give candy to men. This is called giri-choco. The men's turn comes a month later, on March 14, which is declared White Day, as they return the favour by giving girls a gift of white chocolate or marshmallows.

So much for making up a missed Valentine's Day! But what if you neither gave nor got any gifts or chocolates, not even a card? Don't worry, there is yet another day set aside for you. It is called "Black Day" and is celebrated on April 14 in Korea by males who did not give or receive anything on Valentine's Day. So you too can join these men by eating jajangmyun, which is nothing more than Chinese-style noodles in black sauce!

So go ahead, have a great celebration! But do remember, in case you can't celebrate for any reason, there's always another day to choose from the calendar!

Padmini B. Sankar is a freelance writer based in the UAE.