Valentine’s Day history and traditions in Portugal

When is Valentine's Day in Portugal? Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide on the 14th of February, and Portugal is no exception. While today it is often seen as a commercial celebration driven by consumerism, its origins are far more historical than many realise. Dia de São Valentim (Valentine's Day in Portuguese) or more commonly Dia dos Namorados is just around the corner. But how is Valentine's Day celebrated in Portugal? Do the Portuguese embrace this romantic tradition?

Let’s explore the history, origins, and unique traditions of Valentine’s Day in Portugal.

Where did Valentine's Day come from? 

The exact origins of Valentine's Day remain uncertain, with various stories and legends contributing to its rich tapestry. However, the most widely accepted and popular narrative revolves around Saint Valentine, believed to have been born in the Umbria region of Italy around 174 B.C. Revered for his embodiment of virtues such as health (as "Valentine" means "healthy"), kindness, and love, he is often depicted with symbols such as a palm leaf and a sword, representing matrimonial unity.

Although there are multiple accounts surrounding the death of Saint Valentine, many of these tales lack conclusive evidence. Consequently, the Catholic Church ceased formal observance of this holiday in 1969. Nevertheless, Valentine's Day remains a significant and cherished occasion worldwide, including in Portugal, where it continues to hold cultural and romantic significance.

The legend of forbidden weddings

Another legend that is often attributed to the origin of Valentine’s Day is based around a bishop named Valentine. According to this story, Claudio II, the emperor of Rome, banned all weddings in order to have more men to send into battle because women were said to be a distraction for soldiers. Meanwhile, however, Bishop Valentine was spreading the word about the importance of love and married many people who wanted to escape the prohibition created by the emperor. Later, Valentine was discovered, imprisoned, tortured and killed on the 14th of February 268.

Legend of the lovers

According to this version, Valentine was responsible for the first marriage between a pagan legionary and a Christian woman, thus becoming the patron saint of all lovers. The woman was severely ill, and the young man begged the bishop to marry them before it was too late. The Bishop did so, baptising the man and marrying them in the woman’s bedroom and, later, they both died, together, as husband and wife.

The Lupercales theory

Many people believe that the celebration of Valentine’s Day derives from the Lupercales Festival, traditionally celebrated in Ancient Rome on the 15th February. The name Lupercales comes from Lupus (wolf, that represented the God Faunos) and Hircus (goat, a non-pure animal) and represented the beginning of adult life. Young men would run naked down the streets, hitting women which was said to bring them fertility. They would also run in the woods for days on end, to prove their capability of survival.

During the Middle Ages, people started creating different versions of Lupercales that would go against the moral rules of the Church and for this reason, the Church intervened to regulate the celebration.

Valentine's day in Portugal and beyond: traditions and interesting facts

Does Portugal celebrate Valentine's Day? Valentine's Day is celebrated in Portugal, like in many other countries around the world. People typically express their love and affection to their loved ones through gifts, cards, and special activities on this day. There are however some specific Valentine's Day traditions in Portugal that are unique to the country. Along with this, each country has its own traditions that make this annual festivity extra special. 

• In Portugal, in Guimarães, the “cantarinha dos namorados” is a very common Valentine’s Day gift that keeps an ancient tradition alive. When a man decided to make an official marriage proposal, he had to give his future fiancée a “cantarinha”, a sort of clay jug. If the answer to the proposal was “yes” and if the parents approved of the wedding, this jug was then used to store the gifts that the groom and the parents of the bride would give her, which would traditionally be pieces of gold jewellery.
• Also, in Portugal, the “Lenço dos Namorados” is another important Valentine's Day tradition that dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Women would wear beautiful embroidered handkerchiefs in order to attract men in a very educated courtship. The scarf was given to the suitor and if he accepted, it would be worn on his coat, neck or even on his hat and if not, it would be returned to the girl. The intricate embroideries would illustrate the love between the couples, with beautiful colours and drawings. In Braga, the tradition remains, and many people give and receive an embroidered scarf as a Valentine’s Day gift.
• Dinner for Two: Like in many cultures, dining out at a nice restaurant is a common way for couples to celebrate Valentine's Day in Portugal. Restaurants often offer special Valentine's Day menus featuring gourmet dishes and romantic ambience, making it a popular choice for couples looking to enjoy a memorable evening together.
• Crossing to the other side of the Portuguese speaking world, in Brazil, Valentine’s Day is actually celebrated on the 12th of June, the day before Saint Anthony’s Day, since this is the saint associated with marriage and Valentine the saint associated with lovers.
• In Germany, a pig is traditionally the most famous Valentine’s Day gift and it can come in any shape or form: a photograph, a drawing, a figurine… for Germans, the pig is a symbol of luck and desire.
• In China, many people celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February in line with popular culture, but it can also be celebrated at the beginning of August, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Legend says that, at the beginning of times, a fairy named Zhi Nu and a mortal named Niu Lang fell in love. The Sky Goddess was against their love and separated them, transformed Zhi Nu into a Vega star, trapped Niu Lang in the sky and created the Milky Way to keep them apart. But, on this day, they can see each other.
• The first Valentine’s Day chocolate box was designed by Richard Cadbury in 1800.
• In the last few decades, the amount of births on the 14th of February has increased thanks to scheduled C-sections.
• In the Middle Ages, this date, 14th February, was also representative of the mating rituals between birds and young men used to leave letters for their loved ones on their doorsteps.
• In the US, more than 15% of women receive flowers they have in fact sent to themselves.
• Teachers are the biggest receivers of Valentine’s Day cards, and more than 650 million cards are exchanged between kids from 6 to 10 years old.
• On Valentine’s Day, more than 50 million roses are bought all around the world, and there are more than 220,000 marriage proposals.
• Each year, on this day, Verona, the Italian city that witnessed the love between Romeo and Juliet, receives millions of letters addressed to Juliet, most of which are asking for love advice.
• The biggest, 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 favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Now that you are filled with Valentine’s Day spirit, there's only one thing left to find out so you can celebrate Valentine's day in true Portuguese style in 2025: how do you say "Happy Valentine's Day" in Portuguese? "Feliz Dia de São Valentim" or "Feliz Dia dos Namorados" to you!