Love is in the air: A couple shopping for flower bouquets. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: With Chap Goh Meh being celebrated today and Valentine’s Day coming later this week, love is in the air.
Lee Wah Florist sales representative Angelina Mary Yerudanadan, 46, said flower purchases are usually at their peak at this time of the year.
According to her, customers typically buy flowers a week in advance or within the same week, as prices tend to increase closer to the occasion.
“Suppliers deliver flowers early, but as demand rises, so do the prices. For Valentine’s Day, the cost rises, and suppliers adjust their prices accordingly,” she said.Currently, a bouquet of roses costs around RM55 but the price could rise significantly as Valentine’s Day approaches.
“For those who want fresh flowers, it’s best to buy early. Our flowers can last up to a week,” she added.
However, flowers aren’t just purchased for Valentine’s Day, as customers also buy them for Chap Goh Meh prayers.
“For prayers, customers prefer lilies, chrysanthemums and pom-poms. Roses, however, are usually avoided as they are more commonly associated with Valentine’s Day.”
Compared with the previous week, she said sales have increased as florists strive to keep flowers fresh for both occasions.
“We extend our business hours from 8.30am to 9.30pm for Chap Goh Meh because many customers purchase flowers for prayers in the evening,” she said.
A customer working in the IT industry, Elly Lee, 35, said flowers play a significant role in the celebration.
“We buy flowers as an offering to the gods for good health, prosperity, and even finding a life partner,” said Lee, who is from Johor.
However, Chap Goh Meh is not just for those seeking love. Many married couples visit temples to pray for harmony and blessings in their relationships, she said, adding that Chap Goh Meh has evolved, with organised activities for singles becoming common.
“They can go to designated spots to throw mandarin oranges, and some even write their phone numbers on them.”
Chap Goh Meh, which marks the 15th and final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations, is historically associated with a unique matchmaking ritual.
Traditionally, unmarried women would write their names and contact details on mandarin oranges before tossing the fruits into rivers or lakes, hoping that a potential suitor would retrieve them, leading to a chance at romance.
Florist Kelly Lim, 24, and her partner, both born in the Year of the Snake, will be at work during both Valentine’s Day and Chap Goh Meh.
“However, we plan to celebrate Chap Goh Meh and Valentine’s Day together next week in Japan.”
