What Is the Meaning of Red Envelopes?
Red envelopes, which are variously known as red packets, ang pow, lai see or hung bao, are small red paper envelopes that contain money and which are often given as gifts. Red envelopes are a Chinese tradition, but they are seen in many other Asian countries as well. Red envelopes can be offered on a number of different occasions.
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Features
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A red envelope can be any shape or size, but are usually the size of playing cards or a little larger. They are often printed with metallic gold ink or with color images. The picture on the front of the envelope will be something perceived as lucky, such as carp, peonies or the Chinese character for happiness. The red envelopes will always contain money.
Function
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Red envelopes are presented as gifts on occasions that range from birthdays to the Chinese Lunar New Year. They can also be presented at weddings, or simply given at the beginning of a new endeavor, such as starting college. In a professional context, Chinese employers will give their employees a year-end bonus in a red envelope.
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History
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The tradition of red envelopes comes from a story about a demon who was vanquished during the Sung Dynasty. A young man with a magic sword defeated a demon that was menacing a town. The grateful town presented him with money in a red envelope to reward him for his deed. The color red is associated with happiness and good luck in Chinese tradition.
Money Amount
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The amount of money given in a red envelope varies wildly. A small amount is given to a young child on his birthday, while a significantly larger amount is presented to a couple getting married. A red envelope presented to a person who is closely related will contain a greater amount of money than an envelope between people who are distantly related. An even-numbered amount of money is seen as luckier than an odd-numbered amount.
Beware of White Envelopes
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White envelopes containing money are seen as unlucky in Chinese culture. Substituting a red envelope when you are dealing with a Chinese client or firm can help prevent an unintentional offense.
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References
- Photo Credit chinese lucky money and clay teapot image by Lijuan Guo from Fotolia.com
