Sunday 15 December 2013

1172 - A red envelope (紅包, hóngbāo)

I have long since known about the tradition of the Chinese red envelope (紅包, hóngbāo) but I never thought to receive one.

Red envelopes are usually handed out to younger generations by their parents, grandparents, relatives, and even close neighbours and friends during Chinese New Year.  Red symbolizes luck. A red envelope is simply a long, narrow, red envelope with money in it. Traditional red envelopes are often decorated with gold Chinese characters like happiness and wealth.

My friend Dai Li in Hubei chose to send me one with a Christmas card for our New Year. 


It contained money - a note and a coin.



Isn't this just wonderful?  I shall treasure this and Jo has suggested we keep it in out 'good luck' corner where we have various other things related to luck and money.  The corner is one which was chosen according to the guidlines of Feng Shui.

2 comments:

  1. My penpals in Taiwan and Malaysia have send me similar envelopes sometimes... but without money! (Maybe because I'm older than them?)

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