The Legend Behind Chap Goh Meh or The Chinese Valentine's Day

Yesterday was the last day of the Chinese New Year or what we call Chap Goh Meh which is Hokkien for the 15th day of the lunar new year. The festival is also called Lantern Festival in China.

Girls Throwing Kam Into The Sea At The Esplanade, Penang
The Star 7 February 2012

It was celebrated in a big way especially in Penang, where maidens threw kam or mandarin oranges into the sea in the hope of finding a soul-mate.

Chap Goh Meh or Lantern Festival in China is also known as the Chinese Valentine's day here and there are many legends behind it.

One of the more interesting legends has it that one day a beautiful crane flew down from the heavens to earth but was caught and slaughtered by some villagers.

That crane was the Jade Emperor's favourite and he was very angry about it. He vowed vengeance on the villagers on the 15th lunar day. But his daughter Zhi Nu took pity on the villagers and duly warned them of the impending woe.

The villagers were very upset and worried and did not know what to do avoid the calamity until a wise man came up with a plan.

Click here to find out what the wise man said and what happened.