SINGAPORE - Long queues formed at many cash deposit machines on Wednesday, as people rushed to bank in their money on what was deemed an auspicious day on the Chinese calendar.
Feb 4, known as Li Chun on the Chinese calendar, marks the beginning of spring and was particularly significant for farmers looking for a bountiful harvest in the past.
It has now become a superstition to bank in money while wearing a red top on this day - with some believing that it is a lucky practice and can help grow their wealth.
There are also different "lucky hours" for people born under different zodiac signs.
At Toa Payoh Central at lunch time, a snaking line of almost 20 people was at the DBS deposit machine. Mr Joshua Lim, 28, changed his mind about making a quick deposit after seeing the long queue.
"My mum told me it was auspicious to wear a red shirt to deposit your money, but I didn't expect the queue to be so long," said the advertising executive, who gave up after waiting in line for almost half an hour.
At the POSB cash deposit machines at Block 381 in Toa Payoh Lorong 1, sales consultant Heng Yi Ling, 57, waited patiently for almost 20 minutes before banking in $500.
Ms Heng, who was clad in a red top that she said was her lucky colour, has been following the annual tradition since 2005, when she chanced upon a Facebook post by a well-known geomancer highlighting the supposed benefits of depositing money on Li Chun.
"It really works (to multiply your money)," she claimed. "Besides, it's a good habit to save your money. I decided to come after lunch after seeing the ridiculous queues at Toa Payoh Central and Bishan last year."
Others, like IT analyst Li Shu Yan, 27, was doing it for tradition's sake and put in only a token amount. "My friends are very superstitious so I decided to follow suit a few years ago," she said. "I haven't gotten lucky yet!"
