Filed under: Chinatown

Chap Goh Meh (Day 48)

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In Malaysia, Chap Goh Meh (in Hokkien dialect, translated as the "fifteenth night") is celebrated on the 15th day after Chinese New Year, the finale of the Lunar New Year celebration period. That day was yesterday and since I'm not in Malaysia, that final day for me is today! It is also celebrated as the Chinese Valentine’s Day, where young maidens practise the tradition (supposedly originating from Penang), of throwing mandarin oranges into the water in hope that they will be found by their true love. And Chap Goh Meh is sometimes also known as the "Lantern Festival".

Oh, how I miss not being in Malaysia right now...

Choy Cheng (Day 28)

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as seen tonight at Chinatown, Honolulu.

A traditional Chinese lion dance blessing -- Choy Cheng is a term often heard during Chinese New Year and it actually applies to anytime the lion sees a red envelope tied to some fresh green vegetables. They are fed to the lion as an offering with the greens being eaten then expelled by the lion (except for the Hong Bao) as a form of blessing.

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