hong bao history

Red Envelope & Hong Bao Chinese have their own New Year by using old calendar, the new year is commonly called Spring Festival. Every year is different if you compare with the calendar we are using right now. The New Year in this year is the 9th of Feburary. Chinese Spring Fesitival is a great happy time for family reunion and celebration of one country. During the Chinese traditional New Year, it is a time to give and receive the Red Envelope, we called it as “Hong Bao” in Chinese. The gift in red envelope is usually Chinese dollars. Especially the biggest bill is red as well. Besides, the envelope is red result from a legend. During the New year, there is monster called “nian” which likes to eat children, but he was afraid of red. Then Parents would give Children a red envelope with money at night before the New Year is coming. Red Envelope is a pattern that stands for eternal Chinese symbol and a significant part of Chinese traditional culture. When speaking to this name, “Hong Bao” is our traditional color in red. Red in China is very popular because red is mean Happy and Prosperity to them. Chinese usually regard the red envelope with money as a lucky when they receive the “Hong Bao” has appropriate money. Chinese are favor of the red envelope contains the number eight because the voice you pronounce eight in Chinese is close to “Fa”, which is mean wealth. All in all, the money in Red envelope is determined by how wealth of the giver are and some other factors. It is polite to open the gifts after you receive the gifts in America, however, you directly open it is a rude action in traditional Chinese mind. Chinese usually does not like to open the gifts immediately in front of the giver. Especially, it is not polite to open the red envelope and number how many money you have. The respectful way to do it is not to open until the giver is leaving. “Hong Bao” is not only for the Chinese New Year, but also some social or family occasions, such as couples