Catherinette

Catherinette was a traditional French label for a woman of twenty-five years who was still unmarried by the Feast of Saint Catherine (25 November).

A special celebration was offered to them on this day and everyone wished them a swift end to their single status.

In modern China, the slang term sheng nu describes "leftover women".

Women who participated in the group devoted to their saint were responsible for the confection of a beautiful headdress to "cap" her statue each year on 25 November.

Young women left the group when marrying, hence "capping Saint Catherine" became synonymous with "still being a single woman at/after 25".