Chap Goh Meh in Teochew simply means "the 15th night of Chinese New Year". Aside from being tagged as the last day of the festival, Chap Goh Meh 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.
Just like Chinese New Year, Chap Goh Meh used to be celebrated with lots of fireworks and firecrackers which are now banned from use. Many homes gaily decorated with red lanterns and bright lights to mark the end of an auspicious occasion. Thanksgivings are held while many people would pray for success and wealth for the coming year.
Chap Goh Meh is also regarded as the Chinese Valentine's Day, bringing forth lots of fun and gaiety. Chap Goh Meh used to be a night of courtship and was a forerunner in promoting match-making. On this night, many young ladies would make their way to the Esplanade, 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 tangerines into the sea off the Esplanade by these young maidens. It is without a doubt, the most popular and colorful moment in the celebration of Chap Goh Meh. 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 ladies 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.
These are Memories of "The Good Old Days".
3 Things To Know About Chap Goh Mei
Why is Lantern Festival Celebrated in February? While Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival are used interchangeably by Singaporeans; did you know that in parts of the world, the Chinese also recognise the 15th and last day of Chinese New Year as Yuan Xiao Jie (Lantern Festival)?
Today, the Chinese will observe Chap Goh Mei (or Chap Goh Meh), a festival that’s celebrated just as heartily as Chinese New Year. While this year’s event will be a little subdued, much like Chinese New Year celebrations, owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese community is still enthusiastic about upholding its age-old traditions with much joy and festivity.
Let's take a look at the origins of Chap Goh Mei and the different ways it's celebrated:
- Chap Goh Mei literally means the 15th night of Chinese New Year in Hokkien, a dialect originating from Southeastern China. However, it’s not only celebrated by the Hokkiens.
- In some parts of the world, such as China, Chap Goh Mei is also recognised as Yuan Xiao Jie (Lantern Festival). In China and other Asian countries that observe this festival, the day signifies the end of the 15-day Chinese New Year celebrations.
- While major activities for people in China include eating tang yuan (glutinous rice balls) over a grand meal, solving riddles written on beautiful lanterns, and visiting temples to pray for their family for the coming year, Chap Goh Mei in Malaysia and Singapore is celebrated with a modern twist.
- Not only is Chap Goh Mei the last day that families can toss yusheng together, a symbol of all things auspicious, it’s also often considered the Chinese version of Valentine’s Day. On this night, young unmarried ladies throw Mandarin oranges marked with their names and telephone numbers into lakes and rivers in hopes of finding love, and optimistic men will be tasked to scoop them up and make contact. Think of it as the Tinder of yesteryear.
The 15-Day Celebration of Chinese New Year
- First day - zhengyue 1, ’Birthday of Chicken’
- Second day - zhengyue 2, ‘Birthday of Dog’
- Third day - zhengyue 3, ‘Birthday of Pig’
- Fourth Day - zhengyue 4, ‘Birthday of Sheep’
- Fifth day - zhengyue 5, ‘Birthday of Ox, Cattle’
- SIxth day - zhengyue 6, ‘Birthday of Horse’
- Seventh day - zhengyue 7, ‘Birthday of Men’
- Eighth day - The Completion Day
- Ninth day - The birthday of the Jade Emperor
- Tenth to the Twelfth Day - More feasting with friends and family
- Thirteenth day - A time to diet a bit after so much rich food
- Fourteenth day, The Lantern Decoration Day
- Fifteenth day, Lantern Festival
