GEORGE TOWN: To many Chinese-speaking couples, May 20, or 520, is more than just a date, with the numbers sounding similar to “I love you” in Mandarin.
The symbolic date prompted some couples to officially register their marriage on “Wu Er Ling” into a lifelong anniversary.
For transport industry worker Ang Chee Kheng, 31, and beautician Chew Jin Ying, 30, even artificial intelligence (AI) appeared to give its approval for them to register their marriage on this day.
Ang said they had submitted their date and time of birth to an AI app for fortune reading, which identified May 20 as an auspicious date for their union.
“We thought it was interesting and meaningful to register on 520,” said Ang, who returned to Penang from Singapore with Chew just for the ceremony.
They were among 16 couples who registered their marriage at the Penang Chinese Town Hall yesterday.
For marketing executive Chew Sing Kong, 27, May 20 holds double significance as it is also his birthday, making the occasion even more special after he and Ng Sing Yee, 29, chose it as their wedding anniversary.
Ng said they had exchanged gifts on the occasion throughout their five-year relationship, with Chew often surprising her with presents she had long wanted.
“Now that 520 is also our wedding anniversary, the occasion has become even more meaningful,” she said.
In Ipoh, after years of postponing their wedding due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, high school sweethearts Thanchanok Sae-Chee and Yong Yoon Kit finally chose to tie the knot on this symbolic date.
The couple, who have been together for 13 years since their days at SMK Bercham, said their marriage plan had been delayed by hardships, including the death of Yong’s father, a house fire and financial difficulties.
Thanchanok, 28, said they eventually decided to register their marriage on 520.
The occasion carried extra significance as her father, who works as a chef in the United Kingdom and returns home only once a year, was able to come back to witness the wedding ceremony.
They were among seven couples who took part in the mass wedding registration at the Ipoh Chinese Chin Woo Athletic Association hall yesterday.
