We know how Malaysians love their holidays and their celebrations. Which is why it’s sad that Chinese New Year is coming to an end. But don’t grief just yet, because on the 15th and final day of Chinese New Year, there’s Chap Goh Mei!
To prepare you for this important day, here are 4 facts about Chap Goh Mei you’ll definitely want to know about…
#1 The name
Chap Goh Mei is a Hokkien term that means the 15th night of the new year, which is why it’s celebrated on the 15th and final day of Chinese New Year. In Mandarin, it’s called Yuan Xiao Jie (元宵节), which means Prime Night Festival.
It’s also called the Lantern Festival, which can be confusing to Malaysians seeing as we refer to the Mid-Autumn Festival as Lantern Festival as well.
#2 The origins of Chap Goh Mei
Image via Penang Events
“There was a beautiful crane that flew down to earth from Heaven and it was killed by some villagers. This angered the Jade Emperor as it was his favourite crane and he planned a firestorm to destroy the village on the 15th lunar day. The villagers were in turmoil when a wise man suggested them to hang red lanterns and explode firecrackers on the streets, which gave off an appearance of being on fire. The Jade Emperor, being tricked into thinking the village was already ablaze, decided not to burn it down. From then on, people celebrated every 15th lunar day by repeating the act of carrying lanterns and exploding firecrackers.”
We know, amazing right? But believe it or not, that’s just one of the many unique origin stories. We just think this is the best.
#3 Unsurprisingly, lanterns play a big part during Chap Goh Mei
Image via 123NewYear
One of the main activities during Chap Goh Mei is to solve riddles written on lanterns. There are even competitions held in order to see who has the biggest or the most intricate lanterns.
#4 It’s the Chinese equivalent to Valentine’s Day
Image via The Star Online
It’s almost like being on Tinder except you find love on the skin of a mandarin orange. On the day of Chap Goh Mei, young singletons would write their name and contact details on mandarin oranges and toss them into the river, hoping that a person of the opposite sex would scoop them up and make contact.
Oh, while you’re in the mood for scooping things up, why not scoop up prizes and angpaos by participating in Berjaya Times Square Theme Park (BTSTP)’s Bountiful Chinese New Year 2018 event! Now open to all BTSTP customers at Galaxy Stage, Level 5.
From now to the 4th of March 2018, you can stand a chance to win yourselves theme park souvenirs and cash angpaos by participating in the Fortune Fountain prize giveaway held every day from 12 noon to 2pm (Session 1) and 4pm to 6pm (Session 2).
All you gotta do is pick up as many “treasure” items with a pair of chopsticks and move them into a basket in 15 seconds. It’s super easy!
Other than that, there will also be CNY craft workshops held from 2pm to 4pm every day where you can learn how to make your own dragon dance puppet, God of Fortune hanging ornament, angpao pouch, and more. These workshops are open to all Berjaya Times Square Theme Park customers (participants below 7 require accompanying guardian, slots open on first come first basis only).
Just take a look at the amount of workshops you can attend:
- Paper fan making and colouring
- Dragon dance puppet
- God of Fortune hanging ornament
- CNY canvas display with clay
- Felt hanging ornament
- Angpao pouch making
- Basket with angpao packet
- Dragon mask painting
- Lantern making
- God of Prosperity display
- Calendar with clay fish
- Paper plate rattle
- Fire crackers hanging ornament
- Lantern painting
- Wind chime painting
- God of Fortune hand puppet
- Paper plate fish hanging display
- Paper cup lion dance
- Fortune cat hanging ornament
- CNY card making
There’s more! Berjaya Times Square Theme Park is giving away 30 entry tickets! All you gotta do to win is follow these 3 easy steps:
- Follow and Like Berjaya Times Square Theme Park on Facebook by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/BerjayaTimesSquareThemePark/.
- Share this article on Facebook.
- Show the article you shared on Facebook to the cashier counter at Berjaya Times Square Theme Park to redeem your ticket.
*Limited amount open to first come first serve only
Well what are you waiting for? Come and celebrate Chap Goh Mei at Berjaya Times Square Theme Park today!