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The tradition of Valentine’s Day may be traced to 15th century Europe, but its future may well lie on the other side of the globe, in 21st century Asia. The rapid adoption of Valentine’s Day in the world’s two largest countries is spreading this tradition far beyond the Tower of London prison where the Duke of Orleans is said to have initiated it with poetic letters to his wife in France.

China actually has a similar, far older tradition, that celebrates romance on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year. But Valentine’s Day on February 14th is becoming an even bigger deal, especially in major Westernized cities like Shanghai. Fancy hotel suites and special high-priced dinner evenings are increasing in popularity. Indeed, according to a report on China.org, there is huge demand among couples to get married on February 14th - a newly auspicious date, and preferable for many to marrying on traditionally appropriate wedding dates.

A similar story is unfolding in the world’s second largest country, India. Here too a newly Westernized, ascendant middle-class is is incorporating traditions from elsewhere to create its own social habits. Advertising agencies and marketing campaigns are helping fuel the spread of this new tradition. In 2007, one of India’s leading portals ran a Valentine’s Day special about foreigners who married Indians called “When Harry Met Sita.”

The rise of Valentine’s Day in India has not been without controversy. Socially conservative parties accuse those of adopting this tradition of undermining Indian values and losing their own culture.

Nonetheless, it seems as if Valentine’s Day is becoming a world-wide phenomena, one that speaks to a characteristic - romance - common to nearly all cultures. Valentine’s Day is also independent of religion so that it can in principle find a home almost anywhere. This time it has arrived in the two most populous corners of the globe, making it more likely than ever that Valentine’s Day will become a truly global tradition.

If you are ready to send a Valentine’s Day card anywhere in the world, try our Flash Happy Valentine’s Day card.