The Legend of Chap Gor Meh

Once upon a time, the earth was full of harmful and wild animals which always damaging villages and threatening human beings. As such, human armed themselves and began their revenge. Unknowingly, they killed the Bird of Heaven which was accidentally down to the earth.

This incident annoyed Tian Di (God of Heaven), he decided to punish all human beings by burning the earth into fire on Chap Gor Meh (the 15th night of the Chinese New Year). His daughter felt pity on the people; hence she escaped from the Heaven in order to pass this message to human being.

A brilliant old folk had come out with an idea, he said: “When Chap Gor Meh comes, the whole village and every street must be lighted up with Red Lanterns; burn as much Firecrackers as we can. Perhaps, Tian Di will think that the earth is in fire and we are burned.”

At Chap Gor Meh, Tian Di noticed that the earth was in red as if everywhere was burning in fire, the scene satisfied him. At last, human beings were saved because of the Red Lanterns and Firecrackers. This practice had become a tradition to the Chinese until today.