Hongbao English

Traditional red envelopes, also called lucky money, are money wrapped in red paper by elders for children during the Lunar New Year. It is said that during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, most lucky money was given to children with red ropes. After the Republic of China, it was wrapped in red paper. Generally, it refers to a red paper bag wrapped with money, which is used as a gift when celebrating, and also refers to bribing others' money. In Cantonese-speaking area of China, red envelopes are called "giving profits", which are gifts made by putting money in red envelopes.

During the Spring Festival, the red envelopes given by elders to the younger generation after 0: 00 on New Year's Eve are called lucky money. Lucky money, also known as lucky money, is unlucky. The ancients used this custom to show that nothing unlucky should happen in the coming year. )。 Lucky money is a traditional custom of Han nationality. Generally speaking, during the countdown to the Chinese New Year, the elders put money in red envelopes for the younger generation.

Lucky money has a good meaning. It is generally believed that it can ward off evil spirits and keep peace. It is said that lucky money can kill evil spirits, and the younger generation can spend the first year safely when they get lucky money. Every Spring Festival, there is a custom of giving red envelopes. In some areas, married people will give red envelopes to unmarried relatives and friends. The habit of giving red envelopes generally exists only between close relatives and friends.

In some areas, New Year's red envelopes are widely distributed. For example, younger neighbors and colleagues who have ordinary friendship can distribute red envelopes, but the amount in such red envelopes is often relatively small, and the size of red envelopes often represents auspicious meanings such as 8 yuan, 18 yuan (to be distributed).

In developed industrial areas, the company will issue "red envelopes for starting work" to all employees during the Spring Festival. In most parts of China, many people are used to making red envelopes with newly printed paper money, which is not only elegant, but also implies going to the old and welcoming the new. Therefore, before the Spring Festival every year, the cash withdrawal of many banks will surge. Banknote printing plants will also be under pressure to print new banknotes. Environmental experts believe that this habit is not conducive to low-carbon environmental protection.

In a foreign country, some friends of other nationalities who have contacts with China people do as the Romans do with the traditional national culture of red envelopes in China, so do ordinary people, communities and companies. Besides the Spring Festival, there are customs of giving red envelopes on other festive occasions, such as weddings and the opening of new stores. However, compared with the red envelopes issued during the Spring Festival, the amount of red envelopes for wedding gifts is often expensive.