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5 ways to Celebrate Valentine Week While Respecting East Asian Traditions

Valentine’s day is approaching and the perfect opportunity to celebrate the bond between you and your loved one, whether that is a significant other, a relative or your little ones. For the British-Chinese and East Asian community, this follows closely after Lunar New Year, carrying on the chain of celebrations. What are some considerations when celebrating Valentine’s Day in the East Asian community?

1. This may not be the only Valentine’s Day they celebrate

Chinese Valentine’s Day, or “Qi Xi Festival” falls on 29th August. The festival is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunisolar month on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Therefore, if your Valentine is of Chinese origin, it may be worth checking that they celebrate both Qi Xi and Valentine’s Day on 14th February? Or are they hungover from all the Lunar New Year celebrations, and would rather give Valentine’s Day a pass? 

2. Gifting Cultural Symbols of Love

In many East Asian cultures, certain images are strongly associated with love and marriage. For instance, the lotus flower in Buddhism represents purity and spiritual awakening, while in Chinese culture, the peony is considered a sign of love, wealth, and success. The British-Chinese and East Asian diaspora are mostly superstitious people. Certain gifts, such as sharp objects or white flowers are prohibited. View Maccha’s blog on “How to Avoid Gift-Giving Mistakes in the Asian Community” 

3. Creating a Romantic Space with Feng Shui

Feng Shui, the old Chinese practice of arranging your surroundings to encourage unity and good energy, is a wonderful way to improve the loving mood during Valentine’s Week. According to Feng Shui principles, the Southwest part of your home is where love and relationships are developed. You can create a quiet, welcoming space in this area by adding items like crystals, candles, and meaningful objects, such as pairing dragon and phoenix figures, which are thought to represent balance and unity in a relationship. Celebrating Valentine’s Week by making a calm, peaceful setting shows that you are actively supporting your relationship.

4. Enjoying East Asian Cuisine Together

If your Valentine is also of ESEA heritage, going to an Asian restaurant could be a good choice. Having a good meal together can satisfy your palate with flavours that feel close to home. In many cultures, food plays a key role in bringing people together, symbolising wealth, success, and the joy of sharing. 

To make the occasion even more personal, perhaps you’d cook something special at home - whether it’s cooking their favourite dish, or buying special ingredients, this is an option for those that want a more relaxed celebration at home.

5. Be Organized 

We’ve all been there - you’re really looking forward to eating at your best restaurant, and hope you can just rock up. You arrive, and it’s fully booked, or you have to wait around for over an hour in the cold. Your date becomes disgruntled, and it ruins the mood of the evening. When treating your date on Valentine’s Day, it’s important to be organized. That means, booking in advance, securing that romantic window seat, giving the venue a heads up about any details. Remember, it’s the small things that win hearts.

Celebrating Love with Maccha: An East Asian Dating and Friendship App

For those who are single or exploring new relationships, Maccha, an East Asian dating and friendship app, gives a place for people to meet based on shared ethnic hobbies and beliefs. Whether you’re looking to bond over shared customs, learn new aspects of East Asian culture, or simply meet like-minded people who value these rich traditions, Maccha is the right space to make those important connections. 

The app allows users to explore love in a culturally polite way, enjoying everything from traditional customs to modern dating trends, making it a perfect addition to your Valentine’s Week plans. So, why not take this chance to connect with someone who shares your love for East Asian culture, and perhaps build your own special Valentine’s party together?

Conclusion

Valentine’s Week is a beautiful time to show love and respect, and by being considerate of East Asian practices, you can create a party that is not only important but also wins you those extra brownie points. Whether it’s investigating Valentine’s Day’s significance, giving appropriate tokens of love, being super organized, these thoughtful gestures can bring a deeper connection to your loved ones. Embracing these customs adds a layer of beauty and respect to your relationship, making Valentine’s Week even more special.

For those looking to share these experiences with someone special, Maccha, an East Asian dating app, is the perfect place to meet with like-minded individuals who value the cultural wealth and customs of East Asia. Whether you’re starting a new relationship or deepening a current one, Maccha offers a unique space for making ties based on shared values, creating important and real bonds. Embrace the spirit of Valentine’s Week, and celebrate love with both heart and ritual.