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1. It's a tradition to put crisp, new bills inside a Chinese New Year red envelope. Giving dirty or wrinkled bills is in bad taste. In the week leading up to Chinese New Year, many people stand in long queues at banks to exchange old bills for new ones. 2. You're supposed to avoid putting coins in the envelopes. 3. These are filled with money - and symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead. The importance of the hóngbāo isn’t the cash held inside; it’s actually the envelope itself. The red color symbolizes good luck and prosperity in Chinese (and other East Asian) cultures. Here are 8 facts you should know about the historic red envelope Chinese New Year is a time of celebration, family gatherings, and rich traditions, and one of the most cherished customs is giving red envelopes, or hongbao (红包). These bright red packets are filled with money and given to children, loved ones, and even colleagues as a symbol of good luck and blessings for the year ahead. Nowadays, you can give red envelopes to practically anyone. Giving red envelopes to your co-worker’s or higher-up’s children is used for social networking. It’s just for fun between friends and politeness between acquaintances. How to Receive Red Pockets. Red packets are given when you pay a New Year’s visit (拜年 / bài nián). A red envelope (red packet or red pocket), lucky money, hong bao in Mandarin, or lai see in Cantonese, is commonly used as a monetary gift during holidays or special occasions in China, especially during the Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year red packet The Meanings of Red Envelopes. Red is the lucky color in Chinese culture. Chinese New Year and Chinese Red Envelopes. Chinese New Year is the most significant festival in China. During this time, giving red envelopes is a cherished tradition. Parents, grandparents, and older relatives give red envelopes to children and younger family members. Giving and receiving red envelopes is a cherished tradition during special occasions like Chinese New Year. Here are some tips to consider for both givers and recipients: Tips for Giving Red Envelopes: Choose appropriate recipients. Red envelopes are typically given to children, unmarried individuals, and younger generations. Random amounts of money are associated with the white packets handed out at Chinese funerals, which contain odd sums in coins. Avoid this gaffe. If you’re giving money as a couple, give the same amount in each envelope. [See more: 7 Chinese New Year traditions to fill your holiday with joy, luck and prosperity] 8. As we fully immerse ourselves in the festive spirit of Chinese New Year, it’s an exhilarating journey. A journey into the heart of a celebration woven with a myriad of cultural customs. Among these traditions, the act of giving and receiving red envelopes emerges as a standout, a symbol of good wishes and blessings exchanged. Every Lunar New Year, it’s a tradition in Chinese and other Southeast Asian societies to gift a red packet or envelope — called hóngbāo in Mandarin — filled with a monetary gift. The recipient of a red envelope at Chinese New Year or on his or her birthday should not open it in front of the giver. At Chinese weddings , the procedure is different. At a Chinese wedding, there is a table at the entrance of the wedding reception where guests give their red envelopes to attendants and sign their names on a large scroll. Chinese New Year Red Envelopes are one of the favorite Chinese traditions for children, because on New Year’s Day they are given the shiny packets with money inside. Kids of all ages quickly learn the words for red envelope: “hong bao” in Mandarin, “lai see” in Cantonese. In Hong Kong, red envelopes are traditionally opened on or after the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. During Chinese New Year supervisors or business owners give envelopes to employees. In Suzhou, children keep the red envelope in their bedroom after receiving it. They believe that putting the red envelope under their bed can protect the children. Whether you are a participant or a spectator, witnessing a lion dance performance is an experience that will leave you in awe and inspire you to embrace the festive spirit of Chinese New Year. The Tradition of Red Envelopes during Chinese New Year The tradition of the Chinese New Year red envelope, known as hóngbāo in Mandarin, has deep roots in Chinese history. It’s believed to have originated during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), when the elderly would thread coins with a red string. Red envelopes, also called red packets, lucky money, or hongbao in Chinese, are a popular monetary gift given on some important occasions or festivals in China and some other Asian countries, especially widely seen during the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival). It is a Chinese New Year gift with money stuffed into red paper to kids. The Chinese practice of giving money in red envelopes on the Lunar New Year is a prime example of something that has undergone such a change. The traditional red envelopes that hold the monetary gifts date back to the ancient tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year in Chinese culture. The Chinese Red Envelope started around the same time as the Spring Festival itself, in the Han Dynasty ( 202 BC – 220 AD), when 压岁钱 yā shuì qián was called 压胜钱 yā shèng qián—a talisman meant to “suppress the triumph of evil”. Origins of Chinese Red Envelopes: Historical Background and Evolution. Chinese red envelopes, also known as hongbao, have a rich cultural significance in Chinese society. These small red packets, usually filled with money, are given during special occasions such as Chinese New Year, weddings, and birthdays. Chinese (Lunar) New Year Red Envelope Traditions and Meanings. Chinese New Year, also called “Spring Festival” has more than 4,000 years of history originating during the Shang Dynasty. It is the most important annual event for China and one of many Lunar New Year celebrations in Asia.
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