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Today, strings of coins are essentially obsolete, and red envelopes ubiquitous. The importance of hongbao (literally: ‘red bag’) isn’t the cash inside, it’s the envelope itself. In the roughly 65 years since red envelopes came into circulation, their eye-catching designs are a key part of the arresting visual language of Chinese New Year. Other Occasions for Red Envelopes. Chinese New Year is a red envelope season. But red envelopes are not limited to Chinese New Year. It is common to give a red envelope during many other occasions, such as a wedding, graduation, the birth of a baby, or a senior person's birthday, and even funerals. It is a traditional way to wish good luck and [See more: Chinese New Year: 3 auspicious dishes to welcome the Year of the Dragon] 6. There’s a 15-day window for giving. The time for handing out red envelopes is from the first to the fifteenth day of each Lunar New Year, and because it’s the lunar calendar, the calendar dates will vary from year to year. 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. 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. With the festival fast approaching on January 29, 2025, if you want to get involved but are not sure of the etiquette, here’s everything you need to know.The most basic things to remember are to give and receive lai see with two hands and wish everyone the essential Lunar New Year greeting, “Gong hey fat choy,” roughly meaning “Best wishes for prosperity in the new year.” WeChat Red Envelope. 2014 Chinese New Year marked the advent of digital red packets on WeChat - the most popular messaging app in China. While watching CCTV New Year Gala, audiences have chances to win cyber red envelopes by shaking their phones ceaselessly. Overnight, WeChat red packets became surprisingly popular nationwide. 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). Usually the grandparents will sit in the back of a room. It is a long-standing Chinese tradition during the Lunar New Year to give out red packets, also known as lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin. Usually handed out in pairs and containing 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 Letter from Stockton branch summarizing the popularity of the program, 1961. Photo Credit: Wells Fargo Corporate Archives. Over the following years, the decorations on the envelopes changed, but customers continued to visit Wells Fargo to get their lucky money envelopes to welcome the new year. Today, this seasonal tradition continues. One of the most important Chinese New Year traditions is the giving of the “ang pow” or red packet. Most Malaysians, I’m sure, have either given or received the ang pow. Red envelopes (or Hong Baos) are given out during Chinese New Year as a way of sending the recipient luck, happiness, and good health for the new year. But b Love Letter Out of all the Chinese New Year goodies, the love letter is definitely one of the most poetic. Back in the day, these romantic pastries were often used by lovers to relay messages of affection and the consumption of the pastry would mean that the message is taken to heart. For anyone who has felt awkward at Chinese New Year, here’s a simple guide to navigating the social minefield of red envelopes – condensed into eight simple rules. 1. You give out red envelopes if you’re married. Don’t commit the classic faux-pas of handing out one red envelope from the two of you. Both spouses give a red envelope each. 2. It’s traditional to leave a red envelope with two tangerines (leaves on, of course) by a child’s bedside on New Year’s Eve. Given that Chinese New Year isn’t celebrated with material gifts, the amount is usually around $20, enough for the child to buy a toy on his or her own. Red packets are handed out during the 16 days of the Spring Festival of Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year, as celebrated in other Asian communities). This can be on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. They are given and received with both hands—it is impolite to do so otherwise. Chinese do most of the decoration for Chinese New Year on New Year's Eve, although some people begin to decorate their houses around 10 days before. Almost all decorations involved the color red and lucky images . 2025 is a year of the Snake , so dragon decorations will appear. 40+ popular Chinese New Year greetings, sayings, and quotes to send your Chinese New Year wishes, such as Happy New Year with English, Mandarin, and Cantonese (with audio and cards updated for 2025). 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.
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