Chinese kids love New Year celebrations. It is a celebration full of festive cheers, good food, and not forgetting, the many ang paus (red packets that married folks give to the unmarried ones) that come our way. It was even more wonderful that Chinese New Year last a whole good fifteen days. Usually, the celebrations would have died down considerably by the tenth day for my family; however, that is not the end to a wonderful start of a new year.
On the fifteenth day of Chinese New Year, technically the final day of the festival, is a day known as Chap Goh Mei. In the Hokkien dialect, Chap Goh Mei simply means "the 15th night of Chinese New Year". Aside from being tagged as the last day, Chap Goh Mei is also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day. On a celebratory point of view, this night sees the gathering of family members as they sit down to a meal together. Offerings and prayers are also held on a grand scale on this particular night.
Just like Chinese New Year, Chap Goh Mei is celebrated with lots of fireworks and firecrackers. This much is true for countries that allow the use of these celebratory items. You will also see many homes gaily decorated with red lanterns and bright lights to mark the end of an auspicious occasion. In temples, thanksgivings are held while many people would be asking for the God of Prosperity to endow them with success and wealth for the coming year.
In some parts of town, you will also be able to witness cultural performances, lantern displays, lion dances and the famous Chingay (flag-balancing) procession. On a legendary point of view, Chap Goh Mei being regarded as the Chinese Valentine's Day, also brings forth lots of fun and gaiety. It is well-known that Chap Goh Mei is a night of courtship and has since been the forerunner in promoting match-making. On this night, many young ladies would make their way to the temples, dressed in their best, with hope of finding prospective suitors.
One of the fun activities that take place on this auspicious night includes the throwing of oranges into the sea by these young maidens. It is without a doubt, the most popular and colorful moment in the history of Chap Goh Mei. It is believed that by throwing tangerines into the sea, these young girls would find themselves a good husband. For many, the act of throwing tangerines into the sea also signifies that these women are available for marriage. It is also said that if someone else who sees the floating tangerine in the water and picked it up, that generally means that the single who threw it would be able to find a good spouse.
Funnily, while many of us may have imagined that such a tradition is passed forth from China, it is strangely not. In fact, this interesting practice originated from a little Malaysian island known as Penang. This took place some time towards the end of the 19th century. On a yearly basis, a large crowd would flock to the Esplanade thus jamming up the roads badly. On top of that, tangerines are sold at an exorbitantly high price but then again, who says romance is cheap?
Another story of the Chinese Valentine's Day also states that this is the only day in the whole year that young maidens are allowed to stroll the streets. However, they must be accompanied by a chaperon. Knowing this fact, many young men would gather around with hope of catching glimpses of these lovely maidens. According to the legend, there will be a matchmaker from the moon who would tie red strings of destiny on their legs. As a result, the couple will end up being together.
Although "young maidens" flock the streets freely these days thus the matchmaker from moon is not exactly needed anymore, yet the tradition of throwing tangerines into the sea still prevails. While many no longer believe in the legend, yet it is still a fun thing to do or observe. Sadly, not many people in the big cities are practicing this custom anymore. However, the tradition prevails nonetheless.
Chap Goh Mei?
'Ten Five Night'?
DURING ancient times, young women were forbidden to go out except on Chap Goh Mei, according to folklore.
The 15th night of the Chinese New Year celebrations is still regarded as the Chinese Valentine's Day - with some romantics tossing tangerines into the sea to find their true love.
The last and 15th day of Chinese New Year is known as Chap Goh Mei.
What does Chap Goh Mei mean?
Every February, the Chinese observe the Lantern Festival, or Chap Goh Mei - the Hokkien dialect term for the 15th night of the New Year.
This day marks the end of the Chinese New Year when lanterns are lit and hung, and people watch dragon dances in the street.
In 2021 it is being celebrated today, Friday February 26.
The day is also known as Yuan Xiao Jie, and is an important festival signifying the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
New year decorations are normally taken down on this day, and replaced with red lanterns to celebrate the first full moon of the year.
Apart from being a big event in China, it is also marked in other Asian countries, including Malaysia and Singapore.
Also a day of showing artwork celebrating "the annual Taiwanese celebration, known as the Lantern Festival, one of the nation’s most treasured occasions that falls on the first full moon of the Lunar New Year.
The Lantern Festival celebrations include thousands of glowing paper lanterns.
Where did Chap Goh Mei come from?
There are many legends and stories about the traditions and celebrations of Chap Goh Mei.
In Malaysia, Chinese explains that legend has it that a "beautiful crane flew down to earth from heaven only to be slaughtered by some villagers.
"The crane was the Jade Emperor’s favourite crane, and he was angered by its death. He vowed vengeance against the villagers.
"On the 15th lunar day, the Jade Emperor planned to send a storm of fire down. But his daughter, Zhi Nu, took pity on the villagers.
"She warned the villagers about their impending doom, and they were troubled as they could not see a way out.
"Then, a wise man from another village came up with the suggestion for every family to hang red lanterns around their houses, set up bonfires on the streets and set off firecrackers on the 14th, 15th and 16th lunar days.
"On the 15th day, the troops descended from heaven with orders to incinerate the village, but saw that it was already “ablaze” and returned to report to the Jade Emperor.
"Since then, people celebrated the anniversary of the 15th lunar day every year by carrying lanterns on the street and setting off firecrackers."
CHINESE VALENTINE'S DAY
Chap Goh Mei is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day.
According to folklore, young men in ancient times could only see young women on Chap Goh Mei (also known as Chap Goh Mey).
On this particular night unmarried women - who were forbidden to go out on every other day of the year - would throw tangerines in the river or sea to enable them to marry good husbands.
It is reported in Malaysia how this tradition persists to this day, with thousands tossing tangerines into water, hoping the fruits would be picked up by a potential romantic partner.
It's still observed among Malaysians of Chinese descent in this majority Muslim nation, and takes place on the final night of the 15-day Lunar New Year celebration.
Every February, the Chinese observe the Lantern Festival, or Chap Goh Mei - the Hokkien term for the 15th night of the New Year.
This day marks the end of the Chinese New Year when lanterns are lit and hung, and people watch dragon dances in the street.
In 2021 it is being celebrated today, Friday, February 26.
The day is also known as Yuan Xiao Jie, and is an important festival signifying the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
New year decorations are normally taken down on this day, and replaced with red lanterns to celebrate the first full moon of the Chinese New Year.
Where did Chap Goh Mei come from?
There are many legends and stories about the traditions and celebrations of Chap Goh Mei.
Malaysians explain that legend has it that a "beautiful crane flew down to earth from heaven only to be slaughtered by some villagers.
"The crane was the Jade Emperor’s favourite crane, and he was angered by its death. He vowed vengeance against the villagers.
"On the 15th lunar day, the Jade Emperor planned to send a storm of fire down. But his daughter, Zhi Nu, took pity on the villagers.
"She warned the villagers about their impending doom, and they were troubled as they could not see a way out.
"Then, a wise man from another village came up with the suggestion for every family to hang red lanterns around their houses, set up bonfires on the streets and set off firecrackers on the 14th, 15th and 16th lunar days.
"On the 15th day, the troops descended from heaven with orders to incinerate the village, but saw that it was already “ablaze” and returned to report to the Jade Emperor.
"Since then, people celebrated the anniversary of the 15th lunar day every year by carrying lanterns on the street and setting off firecrackers."
There'll be loads of sparks and fire crackers on this day .
CHINESE VALENTINE'S DAY
Chap Goh Mei is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day.
Tourism Malaysia explains that according to folklore, young men in ancient times could only see young women on Chap Goh Mei (also known as Chap Goh Mey).
On this particular night unmarried women - who were forbidden to go out on every other day of the year - would throw tangerines in the river or sea to enable them to marry good husbands.
Reuters reported in Malaysia how this tradition persists to this day, with thousands tossing tangerines into water, hoping the fruits would be picked up by a potential romantic partner.
It's still observed among Malaysians of Chinese descent in this majority Muslim nation, and takes place on the final night of the 15-day Lunar New Year celebration.
On Chinese Valentine's Day in Malaysia, women write their names, telephone numbers and emails on the skins of the tangerines.
If a man is interested in a woman, he hands over a banana with his details on it.
The Lunar New Year ushered in the Year of the Ox in 2021.
Why is Chap Goh Mei celebrated?
Chap Goh Mei is a popular festival date, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Apart from being synonymous with Chinese Valentine's Day, it is also a day when big family gatherings are held, to tuck into plenty of good food.
"Chap Goh Mei is also often regarded as the last day that families can toss yee sang (Cantonese-style raw fish salad) together, with the auspicious act believed to bring booming prosperity in the coming year,
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