White Day Origin and Gift Meaning

White Day is a commercial holiday celebrated on March 14th, originating in Japan and popular in Asia. While it's known in South Korea as a day for men to give candy to women, in Japan, white is considered significant, leading to gifts like white chocolate, marshmallows, candy, and jelly.

Origin of White Day

Unlike Valentine's Day, which originated in Europe, White Day originated in Japan in 1978 when the Japan National Confectionery Association aimed to boost sales and manage inventory. It initially started as Marshmallow Day but later transitioned to a day for gifting candy. There are claims that it originated from the Kurada Festival in Khabarovsk, Russia, but the evidence is insufficient. Mathematicians and math enthusiasts sometimes refer to it as Pi Day because Pi is 3.14.

Meaning of White Day Gifts

White Day often involves men reciprocating the chocolate gifts they received from women on Valentine's Day with candy. Nowadays, various gifts like marshmallows, candy, cookies, and macarons are exchanged with a white theme. Interestingly, in Japan, the origin country, they assign different meanings to these gifts.

Gift Meanings in Japan

Marshmallows - Rejection (Melting quickly symbolizes a swift end to the relationship)

Cookies - Friendship (Implies a dry or business-like relationship devoid of romantic feelings)

Madeleines - Desire for Friendship (The seashell shape conveys a friendly sentiment)

Candy - I like you (Sweetness represents the desire for someone to remember them)

Macarons - You are special

Baumkuchen - May happiness continue... (The layered structure represents the continuation of happiness)

How is it in South Korea?

Unlike Japan, where the new school year starts in April, South Korea's new school year begins in March, making it challenging for many to observe White Day. Despite knowing its commercial nature, many still feel compelled to buy candy and gift it to their loved ones. Some amusement parks and ski resorts host White Day events, and occasionally, sanitary pads (which share the name 'white') are given as gifts.

Surprisingly, women have expressed that candy is the least desirable gift on White Day! (So don't get it...) Soldiers often find it difficult to observe White Day due to their military duties, so if they have a girlfriend, they might have to rely on someone to send a gift through courier service. North Korea, with its limited access to international information, prohibits this capitalist holiday. Therefore, defectors are often unaware of White Day, and older generations may also be unfamiliar with it.

Furthermore, there's a tendency to create various 'Days' on the 14th of each month to promote commercial consumption. The sales associated with these holidays vary depending on the day of the week. For example, sales tend to be higher when the holiday falls on a Thursday or Friday, while they decrease when it falls on a weekend.

Other Countries

Initially, White Day was not celebrated outside of Japan. It's primarily observed in Asian countries influenced by Japan, and the tradition of women giving gifts to men on Valentine's Day also started in Japan. As a result, men naturally reciprocate by giving gifts to women on March 14th. Valentine's Day, originally a day for mutual appreciation, regardless of gender, is not associated with White Day in countries like the US. Following Valentine's Day, stores quickly switch to Easter-related merchandise.

Criticism regarding the commercial nature of this holiday persists, with concerns about the pressure to gift and excessive consumption. However, if you're in a relationship and have received a gift on Valentine's Day, it's hard to avoid the approaching White Day. Instead of simply boosting the profits of businesses, perhaps consider skipping the gifts altogether?