By CGTN's Rian Maelzer                                                 Chinese Malaysians marked the end of the Lunar New Year festival on Saturday with a celebration known locally as Chap Goh Mei. Along with familiar rituals such as lion dance performances and prayers, the day has special significance for single women hoping to find a partner, and oranges have a big part to play. 

The Spring Festival period saw two weeks of fireworks, family gatherings, feasts and food rituals, offerings and prayers. 

On ‍Chap Goh Mei, which means “15th night” in the Chinese Hokkien dialect, temples were filled with people paying respect to their ancestors and praying for an auspicious year ahead, while lion dancers were out in the streets for a final performance. 

"Today is like the Chinese Valentine’s Day and also a very good day for family reunions. That's why we celebrate it so enthusiastically each year,” said renowned master lion-head maker, Sifu Siow.

Bodies of water have a special role to play as people mark Chap Goh Mei. As night falls, single women write their names and even their mobile phone numbers on oranges and toss them into the water in a ritual aimed at helping them find a boyfriend or husband. 

“I’m here to throw the mandarin orange because it’s a traditional Chap Goh Mei event. I came here because I wish to get involved in a good relationship. We’ll have to see what fate brings,” said one hopeful woman, Chan Lei. 

“This is a tradition and we hope it will help us find a good match,” said Lim Shin Huey. 

Some enterprising young men meanwhile brought long-poled nets to scoop the oranges - with names and numbers of potential mates - out of the water, showing that even in this age of social media, there is still a lot of life left in traditions like those of Chap Goh Mei.