Hug Day 2025

Hugs. I used to love them. Now I can take them or leave them.

People give and take them as a displays of affection and closeness. I mostly reserve the hug for my nieces and their children.

Today is Hug Day.

It is observed on the sixth day of Valentine’s Week — which is February 12 on the calendar.

We don't really know how or when the act of hugging began. Only that the term "hug" was coined some 450 years back in the old Norse. It is thought to be derived from the word hugga which means "to comfort".

It was initially an indication of intent when it came to adversarial encounter to show you mean no harm.

The act has only been socially approprate for the past 50 years or so and the hug has become part and parcel of public affection which has made it's way to the mainstream.

So whether greeting friends and relatives, saying farewell, or congratulating someone, we usually give an embrace.

The hug has also become and act of consolation or expression of sympathy we offer the hug.

We hug to wish luck to another and of course we hug as a general expression of affection intimate partners.