Every day is a Valentine day in China

Published: February 22,2024

By Gerald Mbanda

February 14, is celebrated in many parts of the world as Valentine day, which signifies celebration of love. The origin of the day, historians say, was a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named valentine. According to an early tradition, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his jailer. Numerous later additions to the legend have better related it to the theme of love: tradition maintains that Saint Valentine performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Roman emperor. An 18th-century embellishment to the legend claims he wrote the jailer’s daughter a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell before his execution.

Whatever the origin, Valentine day is an epitome of expressing love and exchanging gifts especially flowers. In the Chinese art and culture, the flowers that represent the four seasons consist of: Chūnlán – Spring – orchid,  Xiahé – Summer – lotus, Qiūjú – Autumn – chrysanthemum and Dōngméi – Winter – plum blossom. Therefore, if we take it that flowers are a symbol of love, for the Chinese, this love is present every season, and every day of the year.

The Chinese culture is inseparable with beautiful flowers. To me, this is an indication of both love of nature and love of people irrespective who they are. Whenever I am in China I always admire the welcoming smiling faces from the people. Some may have a challenge of language and communication becomes difficult, but the genuine smile on the face assures me that we have communicated as friends and my presence is appreciated.

There is no country where I have seen beautiful flower gardens like in China. Travelling from Beijing to Hangzhou, Shanghai to Xian, one always marvels at beautiful flower gardens decorated with different colors, and some modeled in different shapes.

At Zhejiang, Jinhua Municipality, as one approach Jinhua Narada Hotel, gets struck by the welcome beauty of the flowers at the main entrance. Even if you are not a flower loving person, you would not fail to admire the skilled workmanship that creates beauty and harmony to the eyes. In Shanghai, standing at the Shanghai Oriental tower, they eyes will take time to blink in admiration of the beautiful flowers along the streets. In Xian, close to the famous Bell Tower, one almost feels like compelled to sit down and get a fresh breathe of the beautiful gardens in the surroundings.

This year, unlike other years, I did not find time to read stories how Valentine day was spent around the world. I was mourning the passing on of my dear mother at the age of 89 years. Although it feels sad to lose a parent, on the other hand it was an opportunity to celebrate her long life, as she lived to see three of her great grandchildren.  I was happy that people came with flowers as a sign of love.

Social scientists believe that flower loving people are always cheerful and peaceful. The Chinese people possess these characteristics. When their families live together and eat together you only see a society with a common bond of love. The Chinese culture that creates love and harmony at home also applies when it comes to relationship with other countries. China is at peace with itself and at peace with its neighbors and wishes love and peace to the global community. Love in China is not only expressed once a year, but every day is a Valentine day.

Gerald Mbanda is a Researcher and publisher on China and Africa.  

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