Brazilian Valentine’s Day
Brazilian Valentine’s Day—also known as Dia dos Namorados—is a holiday that celebrates the love that couples share. It’s very much like American and European Valentine’s Day, except the point of reference for this day isn’t St. Valentine. This means that it’s celebrated not on February 14th but instead on June 12th. This is the day before St. Anthony’s Day—a saint that many people believe blessed young couples in Brazil with prosperous marriages. It’s a day on which couples can share their love for one another by sharing gifts, having dinner together, or attending some special event.
Brazil (Observance)The History of Brazilian Valentine’s Day
Brazilian Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 12th of June instead of February 14th for two reasons. The first reason is that February 14th falls during Carnival Week, so many Brazilians are preoccupied with those celebrations. The second reason is that this holiday is so close to St. Anthony’s Day. Let’s talk more about Saint Anthony and find out why he’s relevant for this day.
St. Anthony, also known as Anthony of Padua, was born on August 15, 1195, in Lisbon, Portugal. He became a Catholic priest and a friar of the Franciscan Order and was known for his devotion to and love for the sick and the poor. There are various legends that surround his life and death, but one of the most pervasive is that he would bless couples and they would end up with very prosperous marriages. St. Anthony died on June 13, 1231. That’s why Brazilian Valentine’s Day is observed the previous day.
Some Amazing Facts About Brazil
Since we’re talking about a Brazilian holiday, we thought it would be appropriate to list some facts about this amazing country. Facts that will hopefully inspire people to take a trip down to Brazil to not only enjoy Brazilian Valentine’s Day but also to enjoy their daily culture.
One of the Best Beaches in the World Is in Brazil
According to a 2017 Trip Advisor article, Brazil is home to one of the best beaches in the world. This beach is Baia do Sancho and it’s found on the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. Divers from around the world explore the waters around this beach to see whales, reef sharks, parrotfish, and clownfish.
Brazil’s Highest Mountain Is Pico da Neblina
Pico da Neblina, or Mist Peak, is the highest mountain in Brazil. It sits on the border with Venezuela and stands 9,823 feet above sea level. This mountain is named because it’s permanently shrouded in clouds.
Observing Brazilian Valentine’s Day
Brazilian Valentine’s Day is observed in much the same way as Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Europe and the United States. Couples purchase flowers and/or candy for one another, they go out to dinner or the movies, and they participate in other activities that couples engage in to spend time together. People wanting to spread the word about this holiday can use the hashtags #DiaDosNamorados or #BrazilianValentinesDay on their social media accounts.
Brazil (Observance)
