Sant Jordi's Day (Diada de Sant Jordi)

What Is Sant Jordi's Day?

Every April 23rd is "Sant Jordi's Day," named for the feast day of Saint George (Sant Jordi), the patron saint of Catalonia, Spain. Also known as "Book Day," this day carries an elegant tradition: men give women roses, and women give men books (today, the gift exchange happens regardless of gender). It also served as the inspiration for UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day—a beautiful celebration where love and learning intersect.

The Legend of the Knight and Historical Connections

The roots of this day are tied to a story celebrating courage, compassion, and wisdom.

• The legend of Sant Jordi: According to Catalan legend, a knight named Jordi (George) rescued a princess who was about to be sacrificed to a dragon. From the blood of the slain dragon, red roses bloomed, and the knight presented one to the princess—the origin of the tradition of giving roses.
• A coincidence with literary giants: April 23rd also marks the death dates of two literary giants—William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. This remarkable historical coincidence was a major reason the custom of giving books, alongside roses, spread around the world.

The Science of How Reading Affects Mind and Body

Reading is more than just acquiring knowledge—it's a workout for the brain.

• A remedy for stress: Research from the University of Sussex found that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. Becoming absorbed in a story has been shown to slow the heart rate and ease muscle tension—a scientifically proven relaxation effect.
• Expanding the "empathy brain": Reading novels and experiencing characters' emotions activates regions of the brain such as the temporoparietal junction. This has been shown to enhance empathy—our ability to infer the intentions and feelings of others, sometimes called "theory of mind."

Interesting Facts About Sant Jordi's Day

• Catalonia's "Valentine's Day": In Catalonia, this day is considered an even more important "day for lovers" than Valentine's Day, with the streets filled with stalls selling roses and books.
• Roses paired with wheat stalks: Roses given on this day are often paired with a stalk of wheat, symbolizing abundance and prosperity—a wish for love to flourish and endure.
• Book covers and bookmarks in Japan: In Japan, many bookstores mark this day by giving out original book covers or bookmarks—a unique blend of the Japanese sensibility for treasuring books as physical objects with the spirit of Sant Jordi's Day.
• The "book" in the digital age: Even as e-books become more common, the feel of paper and the scent of ink are said by neuroscience to act as sensory triggers that help with memory retention.
• A day to respect copyright: While enjoying reading, this is also a day to honor the rights of authors—a reminder of the legal importance of fairly compensating creative work.

Tips for Spending Sant Jordi's Day

• On April 23rd, pick out "a book that will stay with you" and "a single rose" for someone special—or for yourself. Use the act of giving as a small ceremony to express gratitude or admiration you might not normally voice.
• Spend an hour reading at a favorite café or park, leaving your phone aside. Stepping away from the hustle of a new season and immersing yourself in words can help you rediscover a quiet passion within yourself.
• Browse a bookstore and pick up a book from a genre you wouldn't normally choose, just because the cover catches your eye. Encountering new knowledge and perspectives can open fresh pathways in your mind and refresh stagnant thinking.
• Display roses and enjoy their scent and color while savoring the afterglow of reading. Engaging sight, smell, and intellect together can turn an ordinary day into something that feels like a scene from a story.

A Beautiful Flower Colors the Heart, and a Single Book Gives Your Soul New Wings to Explore Worlds Yet Unseen

April 23rd is the most elegant day of the year, celebrating love and learning together. Even after the scent of roses fades, the words from a book become part of you—wisdom that stays with you for life. Amid the busyness of a new season, why not pause and take a walk through a forest of words? As you turn each page, you might feel the courage of the knight Jordi facing the dragon, or the joy of the princess receiving the rose. With a book and a flower, any ordinary day can begin to shine. Let today be the start of a new chapter in your own story, too.