Ninety-nine Malaysian couples tie the knot on auspicious 9.9.19
KUALA LUMPUR: Ninety-nine couples tied the knot in a mass wedding ceremony at a Chinese temple in Malaysia on Monday, the ninth day of the ninth month that is considered an auspicious date by ethnic Chinese.
The ceremony at the Thean Hou temple in Kuala Lumpur is an annual event for couples seeking a Buddhist wedding. The number nine in Chinese sounds like the word for “long lasting.”
Most of the couples donned black suits and white bridal dresses, but a few opted to wear red, a colour that symbolises luck, joy and happiness in Chinese culture. Red is also a traditional color worn by Chinese brides.
Holding bouquets of flowers, the couples were blessed by a priest in a red robe before taking their vows. The ceremony ended with a group photograph.
A newly-wed Malaysian couple of Chinese descent kisses during a mass wedding held on the ninth day of the ninth month at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur on September 9, 2019. - Ninety-nine couples were married in the mass wedding ceremony held on the ninth day of the ninth month, considered to be an auspicious date which will bring them good luck and prosperity. - (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)
Newly-wed Malaysian couples of Chinese descent kiss as they pose for photographs during a mass wedding held on the ninth day of the ninth month at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur on September 9, 2019. - Ninety-nine couples were married in the mass wedding ceremony held on the ninth day of the ninth month, considered to be an auspicious date which will bring them good luck and prosperity. - (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)
Family members prepare for a mass wedding for Malaysian couples of Chinese descent held on the ninth day of the ninth month at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur on September 9, 2019. - Ninety-nine couples were married in the mass wedding ceremony held on the ninth day of the ninth month, considered to be an auspicious date which will bring them good luck and prosperity. - (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)
A newly-wed Malaysian couple of Chinese descent kisses during a mass wedding held on the ninth day of the ninth month at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur on September 9, 2019. - Ninety-nine couples were married in the mass wedding ceremony held on the ninth day of the ninth month, considered to be an auspicious date which will bring them good luck and prosperity. - (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)
A newly-wed Malaysian couple of Chinese descent takes selfies during a mass wedding held on the ninth day of the ninth month at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur on September 9, 2019. - Ninety-nine couples were married in the mass wedding ceremony held on the ninth day of the ninth month, considered to be an auspicious date which will bring them good luck and prosperity. - (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)
A newly-wed Malaysian couple of Chinese descent prepares for a mass wedding held on the ninth day of the ninth month at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur on September 9, 2019. - Ninety-nine couples were married in the mass wedding ceremony held on the ninth day of the ninth month, considered to be an auspicious date which will bring them good luck and prosperity.- (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)
Newly-wed Malaysian couples of Chinese descent queue to get registered for a mass wedding held on the ninth day of the ninth month at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur on September 9, 2019. - Ninety-nine couples were married in the mass wedding ceremony held on the ninth day of the ninth month, considered to be an auspicious date which will bring them good luck and prosperity. - (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)
Ethnic Chinese account for about 23 per cent of the Southeast Asian nation’s population of 32 million people. Roughly a fifth of the population practises Buddhism. - REUTERS