The last day of the Chinese New Year celebrations – which is on the 15th day of the first lunar month – is known as Chap Goh Meh.
Also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day across Southeast Asia, the day is celebrated as one where people can try their luck in love.
Here’s what you need to know about Chap Goh Meh in Asia.
Why do people toss oranges into water for Chap Goh Meh?
In some parts of Asia – particularly Malaysia and Singapore, the night of Chap Goh Meh is one women toss oranges into water for good luck in love.
Single girls write their names and contact details on mandarin oranges before tossing the fruit into a river, lake or sea. Single men can then scoop out the oranges, contact whichever lucky girl whose number they get and try to find true love on Chap Goh Meh.
It also involves the traditions such as eating desserts like Tang Yuan(glutinous rice balls) to symbolise reunion.
What does Chap Goh Meh mean?
‘Chap Goh’ means fifteen in Hokkien – a Southern Min Chinese language originating from Fujian, China – while ‘Meh’ means night so Chap Goh Meh translates to the ‘Fifteen Night’ – that is the 15th and final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations and the first full-moon night of the first lunar month.
Is Chap Goh Meh different from Lantern Festival?
Chap Goh Meh and Lantern Festival are the same celebration, with “Chap Goh Meh” being a Hokkien dialect term for the 15th day of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Both festivals celebrate the first full moon of the lunar year with lanterns, family reunion dinners and other traditions.
Why is Chap Goh Meh known as Chinese Valentine’s Day?
Chap Goh Meh is known as Chinese Valentine’s Day, especially in Malaysia and Singapore, because it was traditionally a matchmaking festival for single women to seek love.
As it was historically rare for young, single women to leave the house at night, the Chap Goh Meh was an opportunity for these women to enjoy a night of courtship.
In modern times, Chap Goh Meh is still celebrated as a cultural tradition filled with hope and joy.
While the Qixi Festival – falling on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunisolar calendar – is celebrated more often as Valentine’s Day in China, Chap Goh Meh continues to be a lively tradition.
Happy Chap Goh Meh! Don’t forget to visit Lyrical Muse for global cultural coverage.
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