Madam Tan Kow Neo passed away on 13 July 1931. From the burial registrar, she was 58 years old when she passed away. Her name is very interesting and caught our eye as etched in chinese, her name literary translates to Dog Lady.
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| Madam Tan Kow Neo |
Central Column: 箂門陳氏狗娘
Literal Translation: Lai Family, Madam Chen (Tan), Kow Neo
Explanation:
• 箂門 (Lai Family / Lái mén): This indicates her married family or ancestry line.
• 陳氏 (Chen / Tan clan): Her biological surname is Chen (pronounced Tan in Hokkien/Teochew).
• 狗娘 (Kow Neo): Her actual given name. Kow Neo (狗娘) literally translates to "Dog Girl/Lady."
Possible explanation: In early Chinese communities, it was very common to give children humble, earthy, or self-deprecating childhood names to ward off bad luck or evil spirits.
Right Column: 民國辛未年五月廿九
Literal Translation: Republic of China Year of Xinwei, 5th Lunar Month, 29th Day
This corresponds directly to the Gregorian date July 13, 1931 carved at the top. The Xinwei (辛未) year represents 1931 in the Chinese sexagenary cycle, and the Republic (民國) calendar counts from the founding year of 1912 (1912 + 20 = 1931).
Location of tomb
Block 3 Division B, plot 762
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| Madam Tan Kow Neo tomb in Bukit Brown |
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